Just got done talking with a friend of mine who works at the Owego Historical society. Before the flooding started they got all the stuff put up high and there was no damage that she knows of. A guy that had worked with the Smithsonian was there. According to my friend he had become a fireman and he was the one in charge of what to do with the stuff and where to put it. He had the crew of volunteers working their little backsides off putting stuff up high. According to my friend she said that he told them to put their back muscles into it so that the river wouldn't get ahead of them. And by golly they hustled. The only water to amount to much was a puddle that was easily moped up . Being the rather curious type, we took a ride today to see the damage and get some errands done. We went as far as Binghamton, Vestal, Endicott and Endwell. In some areas along Rt. 17 C we could see where the mud had come up to the bottom level of some big trees. And when we looked over the side of the roadway we could see a road of mud that evidently had moved very fast through areas that previously was grassland. It reminded me a little of how the Tootle River in Washington State looked after the Mt. St. Helen's Volcano eruption in May of 1980. Mud there, was every where and trees were laying down. Here at least where we could see it, there was evidence of mud on the bushes and lots of tall grasses laying flat as evidenced by the gray dinginess we saw on the plant life. I am sure in other areas it was lots worse. In Delaware Co. all the roads are officially closed. And in some areas there are still many restrictions regarding entry to ones place of abode or business. In Owego,Binghamton, Vestal, and some parts of Endwell and Endicott, we saw evidences of people's lives being thoroughly disrupted. We saw rugs and furniture, kids toys, school desks, cabinets, appliances and many other items out on the street. I am sure there were people there that lost most everything. But our people are strong. They all come from good sturdy stock. That is what makes our nation great. When one of us hurt other's come to their rescue. It doesn't matter what type of support we provide. Some of us can give money, other's may want to volunteer, while other's may feel most comfortable praying or providing food and lodging. It doesn't matter just as long as we unite. We are One Nation Under God a land that no terrorist, Flood, earthquake, fire, hurricane or tornado or even political party can divide for long. Isn't that what America is all about? Its our roots. Our past makes us strong. Happy Fourth of July Joan