That's today's estimate of cost to the U.S. of the closed lower Mississippi. Each day it gets higher.

At least one ship was allowed through today. The cleanup is going quite well--thousands and thousands of feet of booms to contain the oil and keep it from the shoreline and wetlands.

Crews are out in the wetlands with mop-like things to get oil globs out before they interfere with the birds and marine life. The people doing this mopping are suited up head-to-toe in white coveralls, with tall boots, waterproof gloves, and life vests on back and/or chest.

The broken barge has not yet been removed from the water. However, at least one vessel has been allowed to go through the affected area. There are more than a hundred vessels waiting to be allowed up or down the river.

Some cruise ships have docked in Mobile and brought their passengers back to New Orleans via bus.

On the personal home front, I got out this morning and did some more de-weeding of what I call the far-side yard. (This is the one that doesn't have a door opening to it.) Lady had to hang around to see what I was doing and chase weeds as I pulled them. It was HOT!! I must have sweated off at least five pounds. After a nice cool shower I re-hydrated big time, had something to eat, then headed for PJ's AC to read.

I ended up doing very little reading, but had a couple of very interesting conversations.

Tomorrow will no doubt be more of the same.