Sequestered Saturday

Water + Pigs & Pizza + Careless Woman + 2nd-Born Children

Water, Water Everywhere

"Officials credit 'world-class' levees after water levels drop. Norfolk officials were breathing a sigh of relief Friday after water levels dropped several feet overnight, allowing nearly a third of the city to return to their homes & businesses. Mayor Josh Moenning thanked first responders, city workers, businesses, volunteers & the entire city for helping one another while coping with floodwaters . . . More than 1,000 people stayed at shelters overnight (on Thursday). Thirty-two people were rescued by first responders . . . " [Omaha World Herald, 3/16]

"Full or partial evacuations had taken place in at least 31 Nebraska communities, including Cedar Rapids, Beemer, Plattsmouth, Valley & West Point. Columbus (the state's 10th-largest city) had only a blacktop road to get in or out . . . " (Beemer is located about 20 miles to our southeast; West Point about 25 miles, also to our southeast. [OWH, 3/16]

        We took in an elderly couple on Thursday morning. We didn't know them, but they were friends of another staff member at Orphan Grain Train. Their home in Northeast Norfolk was located within the flood plain. A policeman banged on their door Thursday morning & warned them that if they didn't evacuate, they were on their own. Thankfully, they were able to return to their home yesterday morning.

        Lutheran High Northeast took in about 300 people on Thursday night. Bel Air School, which is just down the block to our west, took in about 300 people. Both shelters maxed out. Our neighborhood was spared flood damage, although Derek (son-in-law) said that several of their neighbors had water in their basements. [Derek & Rachel live about a half-mile west of us.]

        At one time on Thursday, all major & secondary routes out of Norfolk were impassable. I was unable to travel to Lincoln for a Gamblers Assistance Commission Mtg. I was also unable to travel to North Platte yesterday for a Lutheran Laymen's League/Lutheran Hour Ministry Convention. [I was supposed to represent OGT.]

        Since we moved to Norfolk in 1997, we've experienced flooding along the Elkhorn River, located along the southern edge of Norfolk, but this flooding was unprecedented.

        One man was swept away when his vehicle was swamped in floodwaters. A farmer near Columbus (located 50 miles south of us) drowned when a bridge collapsed under his tractor. He was trying to rescue a trapped motorist.

        You can see videos of our floods in Northeast & other locations in Nebraska by going to youtube & searching for "flooding in Nebraska."

There Is No Place Like . . . California

"After 376 straight weeks, California is drought-free. CA is free of drought for the first time in more than 7 years, experts said THU." [Omaha World Herald, 3/15]

. . . Ohio

"The Xenia Police Dept. went on a little adventure SAT on E. Church St. to catch a runaway pig. The pig, whose name is Wilbur, was lured into the back of a police car by Officer Dan Smith using leftover pizza that was donated by a local citizen." [Drudge Report 3/16]

"Ohio man giving up food, drinking only beer during Lent . . . " [ditto]

. . . Michigan

"Drunken U.P. man shoots at snowbank after car gets stuck . . . " [Drudge, 3/13]

Whimsy

"Man named Sober arrested for DUI . . . " [Drudge, 3/14]

Internet knows you better than spouse . . . " [Drudge, 3/16]

"Plane turns around after mom realizes she left baby at airport . . . " [Drudge, 3/12]

Sorry, Carolyn

"Well, there's now scientific evidence that backs up the theory that 2nd-born children are indeed the troublemakers of the family . . . " ["Second-born kids are more likely to be troublemakers, science says," OWH, 3/16]

EXPECTATIONS

"O God, hear my prayer; give ear to the words of my mouth." psalm 54:2

"As baptized, redeemed, forgiven children of God, we, too, can have every expectation that He will deliver us. He knows our every weakness & gives ear to our every prayer." [Psalms for Lent, Jane Wilke, Creative Communications for the Parish, 2018]