You can reach Sue at (314) 452-3685 or (314) 726-2032. You can write to her c/o Rose Holt, 905 Barnard College Lane, St. Louis, MO 63130


Here is an update from Sabrina about her Dad:

"Just an update on my Dad. The doctors found blockages in two areas of a bypass that he had 12 years ago. Both areas were 70% blocked. He had 2 stints put in to open them up, and they are now down to 10% and 30% blocked. He is in the ICU, with close monitoring. If he continues to do well, he may be able to come home tomorrow. There is some concern about his kidneys because they have shown some damage due to the medicines he is on, but we are praying that the medicine they are giving him now for his kidneys will correct this new situation. Thanks to everyone for your support and prayers. I do appreciate them, as does my family. Sabrina"

Norman has been in the hospital since a week ago Monday. That is a long, long hospital stay these days. The only good thing about it is that all the Abbott offspring hover and shower him and Margaret with loving attention. It was only a year ago this August that Margaret spent so much time in the same hospital!

Catrina called just now to say Norman is on his way home.

In our household, we have been watching with anxiety the developments in New Orleans. Shirley's brother Frank lives (perhaps now 'lived') in the French Quarter and had decided to ride out Katrina. He is fine, and as of Wednesday morning, the water was only lapping at his garage. However, he and a friend decided it was time to leave, so set out by car. Shirley could not imagine how they could find their way out of that place, given the flooding and rampant crime. Late yesterday, she got word that he is safe and was on his way to Lake Charles where the Fontenots have considerable extended family.

Shirley's sister, Loretta, and her husband live in Covington. They had evacuated last Sunday and returned yesterday to find their home very damaged. Two trees had fallen on the house; many windows gone; and water damage everywhere. Their son Michael stayed in that house during the storm and narrowly escaped serious injury.

Yvonne, Loretta's daughter, was with her parents north of Baton Rouge, waiting out the storm with the family dog population. Yvonne may be the worst hit by losses from the hurricane because she owns a comedy club and some rental properties in New Orleans. Now that all members of the family are safe and sound, attention is turning to the enormity of the loss and damage they have incurred.

I just had an e-mail from Catrina who is asking for help for Randy and a group of his friends who have decided to travel to Louisiana to assist in recovery efforts. Those of you who know Randy probably agree with us that if you are in need of help in a dire situation, Randy is exactly the kind of person you would pray that God send. If you want to help, just e-mail Catrina at cking@langinsurance.com [Corrected as Catrina pointed out in her comment to this entry. We have removed the www.]

Plans are in place for the Labor Day Weekend at the Lake. Scott and sons will be there along with various other friends. One very sour note is the high price of gasoline!!!