Don't get me wrong - this is not a totally bad place. The people here are very friendly and will do what they can to help you. As a community - this is one of the nicest group of people I've lived around. People wave as they drive down the road. My dog got out once and we had people we didn't even know listening on the police scanner, looking around, etc. One of them did find him and wouldn't accept the reward we offered. Another thought they spotted him and drove to my house and then drove around town helping to look for him. I mean, hey, the woman that nearly ran me over yesterday stopped to help put my chain back on the bike and is paying for the repairs without my even suggesting it. Other people also stopped to see if I was okay.

Racism is very blatant here. I agree that it is everywhere, just less obvious. I'm really not sure which is worse. At least here I guess you know where you stand in other people's eyes. It's just wierd when you feel like you live in the 1950's. In a town close to here there are 2 of a lot of stores - one in the "nice" part of town and the other in the not-so-nice part of town. People have been known to take down for sale signs in their yards if they know an african american is coming to look at a house. I know this for a fact. It disgusts me. I have absolutely no tolerance for racism and it permeates so much here.

However - people came together for Katrina, as they did all over the country. We had 3000 evacuees in our town (pop 15K) and everyone donated tons of supplies, clothes, water, etc. I ran a volunteer effort and was amazed at the response!

So - I know I've been complaining a lot about MS in the last day or two (I'm a bit PMSsy right now). Sorry about that. Like I said - I'm not myself right now. I don't do well when I have to sit idle.