Mr. Garner Goes To Washington

In Northwest DC, the shopping cart still rests underneath a tree on the yuppy street called Wisconsin Avenue. Clearly, it belonged to a homeless someone three weeks ago. Yet, for whatever reason it was parked beneath the tree...it's never been retrieved. Overflowing with clothes, umbrellas, and various other items...one could assume this collection of someone's life is no longer important to them...either by the ending of their life...or the beginning of a new one. Just something I was thinking on a Metro stroll last week when my car was in the shop. Yup, I can finally see...there's light...and it's not an oncoming train! I've found it humorous how many people have thought we were moved into our home. After all, anyone on this list knows that we sold our Jackson home...and bought one in Maryland. However, the previous owner needed two months free rent back to whomever bought the house. Sadly, that's the kinda stuff one has to do up here to get a home. So, ...

Thankfully, I've either heard from folks or have confirmation that they are well - although everyone has been touched with some form of property damage or loss. It's been a long week of playing catchup and continuing to monitor all the information coming in about the recovery efforts. I've heard compliments about how my old station JTV (as well as LBT and APT) did an exceptional job with coverage. Watching the live stream of Newschannel 12 when it was available showed an exceptional effort from my TV family of 7 years. I'm sure the entire media community spent many exhausting hours working the past week and half. Great job everyone! Everyone on this list continues to be in my thoughts and prayers...

I feel sorry for any woman who has that for a name...likely, it won't be one to speak without thinking about the tragedy that is unfolding daily on the Gulf Coast. Frustrations about the delay of getting into our townhome seem foolish compared to people who have lost their homes, businesses, and cities. While I've watched the drama daily for material to be posted to WUSATV9.com...I've been angered at the accusations to the President and the lack of attention to Mississippi. New Orleans is a city...and all of it isn't underwater. Half of MS was damaged...the coast was nearly wiped clean...towns are gone.  Waveland, MS - Total devastation following Hurricane Katrina. Yet, the media has ignored the fact of the city, county/regional, and state governments bare the load and are the first to respond to a natural disaster - not the Federal. Funny how this hurricane is different. It's different because it covers LA to FL in damage...which means everyone needs to...

Our trip to Mississippi last weekend was very bitter-sweet. For the first time, we were visitors to the state I've called home for over three decades. Never rented a car from Jackson International (oops, Jackson-Evers International) before - but that was a pleasant experience. Great way to test drive a car, too. The new Chevy Malibu is nice...but I'm just not a modern American vehicle kinda guy. We returned to Maryland Tuesday night, looked at yet another house Wednesday morn, had a "sickening peace" about it being the one, put in the contract, and learned Thursday night that we had it. A two-floor townhouse in Columbia. It'll need a paint (not sure what the guy was thinking - mint green bathroom) and some carpet but the place has been well-kept. Commute may be a bit more interesting...but it'll all come out in the wash However, due to the gent who's in there now having his next house built...we are closing the 29th of this month...but not moving in un...

Remember the Wicked Witch of West from Wizard of Oz? It's hot enough here in DC to feel like the ole gal - 110 degrees for a feels like is a bit too cozy. (Hmmmm, if she hadn't said, "I'll get you my pretty and your little dog, too"...and hadn't laughed the way she did, I don't recall much else about that ole gal...typecasting, poor witch) Speaking of heat...you know it's bad when a pair of Birkenstock sandals are placed outside to dry for a morning from being cleaned of cat whiz (hopefully all three are over their bitterness and getting along) and the soles curl out from the shoe. Oh, well. Still haven't found a house. Another bid fell through since I last wrote. This time, probably due to our having a home inspection in the contract for informational purposes only (barring major repairs). If one had nothing to hide...shouldn't be an issue, ya know? This market is simply nuts. Kim might be seeing some houses today but otherwise, we'l...

Now, doesn't that sound like a NY Times Best Seller?! Greetings, friends and countrymen! Finally, I have a moment to scribe a summary of the events since my last post. After a 12 hour drive, an Accord-full of stuff, Kim, Georgia, Maddy the Beagle, and I arrived in Lexington, Kentucky, the evening of June 30. Amazingly, Georgia and Maddy did very well with only about four stops along the way. We visited with Kim's aunts, uncles and cousins until Sunday morning when we began the 8 hour drive through the West Virginia mountains. Being one who isn't used to a car with cruise, it's not a feature to use in that state. We arrived in Maryland the evening of July 3. Flashing forward to today...the contents of our home have been in two air-conditioned storage units since Friday the 8th...Maddy the Beagle has been staying with friends of Kim's parents since the 4th...being a townhouse with three cats (two belonging to you) is interesting when one doesn't get along...

We closed on our house two Fridays ago! It's hard to believe that it happened so quickly after what seemed such a long time. The blessing is that our next-door neighbor bought it and plans to remodel our first home into something new and spectacular - what we would never have had the time or money to accomplish. First day back to work after being in Mississippi for a few days and in Maryland with Kim, Georgia and the in-laws. Took the Metro. Giving the Benz a rest until I can find a more specialized mechanic for her. Coming above ground into the DC air from the subway, the stench of total death. Did someone dump a dog or cat in a trashcan? It's everywhere. There's a bum across the street under a "tarp"...typical sleeping attire but this morning is warming quickly...has he expired? A loaf of bread sealed tight in plastic wrap sits on a bus bench. Don't want to imagine what's growing on there. Can't be much worse than the smell of a water stained w...