Sunflower against the sky. Hot summer sun.

Tante Sue de Mamou

Sue Vasseur (aka Taunte Sue de Mamou) is finished working the crowd at Fred’s Lounge in Mamou according to local reports . The regulars will miss Taunte Sue and her HOT DAMN cinnamon schnapps…

Stock photo of Savings Bonds

Have bonds reached their top? Are interest rates going up from here?

Girl standing on beach with inflatable ring around waist

If there are no visible signs of oil on the beach  and no tar balls or oil in the water… is it safe to swim?

Florida beach conditions are reported by the Department of Health.

IV Intravenous bag hanging in hospital

President Obama signed into law the final fixes to the Health Care Reform Today. Republicans have promised to fight for repeal and to challenge it in court. Included in the new law government will lend money directly to students.

Environmental Protection Agency issued a final ruling that greenhouse gases “endanger” health and human welfare. Declaring that Carbon Dioxide endangers human health allows President Barack Obama to gloat at the Climate summit in Copenhagen. He may brag of this executive power to impose emissions caps on industry in the United States. Under the “endangerment finding,” the EPA asserts the power to regulate CO2 and other gases blamed for global warming.

The Obama administration dismissed concern over the climategate controversy surrounding leaked e-mails from the British climate research center. Yet to be answered is the possible economic impact of regulations that constrain emmissions.

Natural gas is gaining attention and is being promoted as a bridge fuel to a lower-carbon, sustainable energy future with reduced greenhouse gas (carbon) emissions. Natural Gas Supply Association reports that the environmental impact of natural gas is less than other fossil fuels. The Potential Gas Committee reports the United States has a total available future supply of 2,074 Tcf. Much of the recent upward (25%) reassessment comes from active and newly developing shale-gas formations.

“Tho me sometin Mista!!” Collecting the “throws” (beads, doubloons and trinkets) from Mardi Gras parades is a long standing tradition of carnival season in New Orleans.

Beyond the decadence of the French Quarter, families throughout Louisiana celebrate Mardi Gras by spending time together and attending the many parades.

License this stock photo of Sugarcane loading at Alamy.

Louisiana has been having great weather for the sugarcane harvest of 2008. Early in the season estimates were pessimistic and predicted decreased yields because of the two hurricanes. The storms caused stalks to fall over (lodged) and some have broken, which result in lower tonnage produced. However yields have not been as bad as first feared.