In case you might be wondering why (or grateful that) I haven’t posted anything over the past few days, there is a very good reason.
Remember last August 13? That’s the day many of use in the parishes of Livingston, Tangipahoa, East Baton Rouge and St. Helena stopped gazing skyward at the persistent rainfall and started looking downward at the rising waters that were suddenly engulfing our homes.
On August 13, I was a moderately content retiree satisfied that my mortgage and my wife’s car were paid off and I could look forward to a life of mowing my lawn, grilling hamburgers and pointing out the foibles of elected officials and governmental appointees.
After August 13, I continued to goad those who failed to meet their responsibilities to Louisiana citizens but now I had a brand new mortgage (I’ll only be 103 when this sucker’s paid off), a new car payment and a contractor to babysit through the rebuilding process.
Now I am happy to report that we are down to the final days. We should be moving back into our home within the next couple of weeks. Everything we salvaged from the flood will have to be moved back in, new furniture will soon be delivered, blinds and curtains will have to be hung (my least favorite task on the face of the earth), and countless other time-consuming chores will demand our attention.
That’s the long way of saying that for the foreseeable future (perhaps a month), posts on LouisianaVoice will be sporadic and squeezed in only when I can steal time away from the details of rebuilding, refurnishing and relocating.
So please bear with me. I have a backlog of stories on which I intend to devote considerable research but for the time being, they are going to have to wait.
But I promise when I return, it will be with a flourish because:
Bobby Jindal may be gone
But his ghost lingers on.
Corruption, sleaziness, ineptness, and unethical behavior, like the devil, never sleep.
Louisiana Voice 
though i disagree with you 40% of the time (other than corruption reporting), I did miss your posts! Brandon in AR
Sent from my iPhone
hope all goes well for you Tom
Congratulations, Tom. I will miss your columns but will check in to see when you are there…..
Obviously corruption is the lifeblood of Louisiana and you will never lack for stories. I thought sabbatical was indicative of Rest and Relaxation doing what you want.
Having moved several times during my Navy career, I can certainly understand the situation you face. I sometimes yearn for the old days when I was single and all my worldly possessions fit in the trunk of my new 1964 Chevelle ($2,681 TTL) with a few shirts and pants on a back seat hanging bar.
Hope the moving in goes easily, without any unpleasant surprises (gee, that couch didn’t look that big in the store!).
Delighted that you will soon be once again in your home. Will miss your posts but you are forgiven.
Tom, should you need assistance, I along with many others, would be willing to pay a reasonable fee for the fine information you pass to us on your sight. You’re the only person in Louisiana who is really pushing for change in Louisiana Government. Have you ever considered running for a statewide seat, in Government? Sir, you may not realize it, but you have a very STRONG base of supporters, scattered all across the state, who would put their money where their mouth is, should you ever run for Office. You are a very rare breed indeed to take such a stand against the wrongdoing we see across the board in state government. You run on your record, and sir, I can, and will, help with getting out the vote. Obviously your a “Swamp Drainer,” and Lord knows we need that here in Government. Think about it, and let me know. My dear friend, Mr. Ken Booth, has told me all I need to know about you, and it was all good. If you’re Ken’s friend, then that’s good enough for me. God Bless, and God Speed, with the task you’re facing with your home.
Thanks so much for your comments. I’m humbled and flattered but no, I shall not seek office. I would much rather be outside the tent p—ing in than inside p—ing out.
There are two major reasons for not running:
First, I seriously doubt a yellow dog Democrat (one who would vote for a yellow dog before he would a Republican) could be elected in a Red State such as Louisiana.
Second, I feel I am infinitely more effective as an non-elected, independent voice for the people of this state—beholden to no one.
As for your willingness to pay a subscription fee for LouisianaVoice, that resolve may well be tested. I am considering assessing a subscription fee of $5 per month or $50 per year now that I have a brand new mortgage to pay for the next 30 years (I’ll only be 103 when my house is paid for—again.)
Again, thank you for your kind comments.