Batteries for radio and camera (if he takes the latter).

Sounds exciting; I too might be a little envious.  It’s an opportunity to improve the world for some folks.

He bought two disposable cameras to take. I suggested not taking his digital. Best not to take stuff you’d mind losing. We picked up a pack of batteries for the little radio. The cell phone should carry a charge for most of his stay if he keeps it turned off. He did take the charger with him if he needs it.

He was told this morning that his first week will mostly entail food preparation for the people of Violet. They have none and no where to prepare it if they did have some. Destruction was near 100% in that area. The woman he’s been talking to says it’s pretty bleak in a lot of regards, but the folks coming back are in remarkably high spirits all things considered. That tends to fade as time passes and progress is slower than a snail’s pace. But they sincerely appreciate the hot meals provided and a safe and clean place to congregate. And the cheerful faces and impromtu entertainment. The residents especially appreciate willing ears that will listen to them think out loud. Because no one else has for the longest time. Next week will probably involve demolition and clean up work.

Looks as if FEMA struck again. They’ve been doing a lot of this lately.

Ahhh, but all of this was the Dad’s idea, so if anything was to happen (but I am sure it won’t) he has to answer to you! That should make him nervous LOL.

I like the way justme thinks!!  And she may be right on the mark!!  But it sounds like a wonderful,perhaps life changing experience, I do envy him.  Kind of wish it were me with all that youth and enthusiasm in front of me.  Maybe it is something we all should do...starting at the very top and all the way down.  The liberal’s version of the “trickle down” theory?????  It sure wouldn’t hurt any of us and might help a whole lot of us!! 

Good luck to him--I think this is one kid who is going to make the most of it and get an awful lot out of it.  Good preparation for you too as far as having him out of the nest.  every little bit helps!!

How about a few prepaid mailers for the disposable cameras?  Something he can just throw them in when he is done, drop in a mailbox??  I have an account with Mystic and so whenever my son traveled he just took a handful of them in his bag and popped film or whatever in them, dropped them in the mail and the pictures were waiting for him wherever he happened to live when he returned??

You know, JustMe, I hadn’t gotten past being totally amazed at the Dad’s state of nerves, but I’ll bet you’re right. For once he’s in the position of worrying over a decision and he’s not sure it was the right decision. I actually think it was one of of his better ideas, but this time he’s responsible for the decision and gets to own the worrying (or consequences) that goes along with it. It’s a side of him that I haven’t seen before. Interesting.

Cyn, I wish I’d thought of the prepaid mailers before he left, but he’s well on his way south at this moment. In fact, he should be arriving in New Orleans at any moment. I don’t think two disposable cameras with 27 shots each is going to be enough....

I also think he’ll be just fine. I have watched him move between groups of people, over the years, and the ease with which he does it. Unlike me, that’s for sure. I admire that trait in him. People open up to him and scoop him into their midst. It remains to be seen how his experiences go, but I would not be entirely surprised if he decides he’d like to stay for the entire month of July. I’m prepared to hear that. I also won’t be surprised if I have an activist return home.

Regarding the empty nest thing, I did a little journaling about that last night, as a matter of fact. I am used to him leaving on extended trips during the course of the year and especially during summers. It usually takes me a day or two to stop feeling at loose ends, before I settle into my own routine. And then I’m fine. But I also know he’s coming back in two or three weeks. It remains to be seen what happens when he’s at school and won’t be back for 4 months. I suspect that his first school vacation (Thanksgiving) will be spent traveling with his Dad’s family, so I probably won’t have him home until Christmas. By that time it will probably feel a little strange to have him in the house again, while being totally thrilled to see him. As he says, “I’ll just be a visitor.” Of course, I protested that that’s not true, but I guess it is.

One thing you probably won’t be envious of are the heat, humidity and mosquitos - which are freakishly large down there.  That said, it’ll just be one more thing to write about, that’s for sure!

I think we’re having ‘sympathy’ heat today. It’s 90 degrees outside! Yecch!

This kid is definitely one who does not enjoy high heat and humidity, so he went with those reservations in mind. He’ll adapt quickly. That’s the beauty of being a kid. And he did go armed with enough bug stuff to fend off the swarms. To be worn with a religious fervor.

If the skeeters in LA are anywhere near as big as the ones in FL, they’re scarey big!!