Charlotte Hausfield

Our wonderful weather forecaster on TV, Ron Howes, announced that snow is falling in the Rocky Mountains tonight. So this winter’s first snow is falling. But not here, thank goodness!

Locally, the temperatures are still a very mild and pleasant high 70′s and low 80′s, with not much chance of rain. We had 2 good days of rain last week to help catch up our annual rainfall total back to almost normal. The month of September was very dry and hot but October has started out absolutely lovely. We still have tomatoes on the vine and even new peppers are coming forth – both bell peppers and the jalapenos. So we got a nice long growing season for our little garden this year.

I’m not a betting lady, but if I had to choose a date for our first snow here this winter, I would pick the 25th of November. Don’t ask me why – it’s just a number that popped into my head.

Thank goodness hurricane Gustav did little damage as it was quickly downgraded from a hurricane to just a tropical storm when it hit land today. The hurricane actually centered on an area to the west of New Orleans and the city was spared from the flooding and damages.

The Mayor says for everyone to please stay away for a day or two so they can get the electricity restored – over a million homes are without power due to the wind and rain.

Thank goodness New Orleans listened to the warnings and evacuated, and the damage was not extensive. So these good people can return home soon and continue rebuilding their beautiful city.

All signs point to hurricane Gustav landing in or near New Orleans this weekend. The Mayor has ordered an evacuation of the city and thank goodness people are taking heed this time and getting out of harm’s way.

We are expecting at least 6,000 domestic refugees in our fair city. I have no idea where we will put them all, but I believe many of them will be housed in the National Guard Armory. It’s a huge facility and the military are set up to handle large groups like this, with chow and bunks. I’m glad that we can help.