John Stocks reports from Slidell

It has been three days since my last report.

SLIDELL- A RACE AGAINST MOLD AND MILDEW

Gypsum Dust and Gatorade

Adam's [John's brother] house is ready for bleaching and final drying. We removed all the carpet, the first four feet of sheetrock, the vanities, the doors and door frames, the cabinets, the furniture, essentially gutting the whole house.

Still no electricity. The generator which was purchased with relief funds has been a godsend. We have been able to run power tools, fans and the dehumidifier. Thanks to my brother in laws in Green Bay who loaned me their trailer and rented the drying equipment.

Today we spray a mix of bleach and water to further combat mold, mildew and bacterial growths.

Quick action in removing the carpet and subsequently the guts of the house has averted any signs of mold or mildew.

The neighbors who just returned this week are not so fortunate. Mold has taken hold in many homes.

The gypsum dust from the sheetrock turns your clothes white. It lodges in your hair, ears, nostrels and throat. You have got to keep your fluids up so you drink Gatorade to wash down the dust and replenish your electrolytes.

It is hot here. Temperatures in the 90's with high humidities.

As a young man I spent three summers on forest firefighting crews out west. It was hard but rewarding work. Between fires we did. 'project work' running chainsaws and clearing brush.

Well, I relived those days this week. Adam's back yard is covered with down pine trees, limbs and blown over fencing. I powered up the saw like old times and bucked up the mess. Funny, my body is not quite as resilient to this physical labor.

Rolled my ankle day hauling brush out of the backyard.. Overnight it got swollen and black and blue. Went to a local urgent care center and found out it wasn't broken. Doctor said to stay on it. Headed back to the house with an ankle brace and ibuprophen.

Tomorrow back to Jackson to check on the Ewell's and then home Thursday.

JACKSON-the Ewell Family

It looks like the Ewell's may split up which they wanted to avoid.

Stacy's company is setting up shop in Dallas. She will go there for her job. Her children will go to Tennessee to be with their father while she gets settled in a new city. Then the children will join her..

Lois, her daughter, her grandson and Eloise will likely head to the Donaldsonville, Louisiana area where Henry (their father) and Lucinda grew up and are buried. They have extended family there. Lois will look for a job in the Ascension Parish school district. Orleans Parish Schools are not going to open this year.

Lois says packages continue to arrive and that they are so grateful.

MCFARLAND, WI

My father and his wife have almost found all of their patients. It has been difficult. Telephone communications in the New Orleans area are spotty at best.

Connie and the kids have been great in welcoming my father and his wife into our house.

Still no word on when they can return to New Orleans.

Three families, Three stories, Three futures uncertain.

My deepest appreciation to all of you for your thoughts, prayers, support and assistance. It has made all the difference. This is not a sprint, it is a marathon.

Please feel free to share this with your networks of colleagues, friends and family.

John Stocks

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