Sunday, 25 September... Messages

When I got home from the block party, I had several messages.

One was from LB, just checking on me.

The second was from Coach K, saying that the electricity and a/c were back on and they weren't coming over.

The third was from my boss, KT. He said that the office was closed on Monday. If possible, it would be good to come in on Tuesday to set up my computer and work station. And by Wednesday, I should be prepared to work billable hours.

Sunday, 25 September... Neighborhood BBQ

Since learning of the storm, we planned a bbq part. At the time, we figured that the electricity would be out and we would all move our grills into the middle of the street and grill the meet thawing in our freezers.

As things began to look better for us, Friday night, we collectively agreed that we should, nonetheless, have a get together. If for no other reason than to give thanks, we decided we would get together and have a few drinks and visit.

As the time approached... we thought it would be a bbq, then we decided that we were all too tired to "do food" then someone at the Rambo household left the freezer door open and meet thawed... so it, once again, became a bbq.

We had a blast. We ate good food, swapped hurricane stories and got to know our neighbors better. It was a lot of fun, and a real success.

Sundeay, 25 September... Waiting on the Get-Together

The get-together time changed from 4 to 6pm.

I had cleaned up and was ready by 4pm, so I made some calls to check on my friends. I didn't receive answers, but I called Dude and W&KL.

Just before I left for the party, Coach K called. While I was AT the party, LB called. I tried to check my messages, but the service was down. Once it was back up, I did't recognize the voices on the voice mail. I was probably just too tired.

Sunday, 25 September... Coach K calls

My good and dear friend Coach K calls to check on me and to ask if she and her g/f can check into Casa de Comet, if the electricity is still out at their house.

K is a dear friend of mine. I'm somewhat shocked that she would seek my house as a place of refuge, but am happy to offer and provide what I can.

I told her that I was headed to a block party, and would either answer or return her phone call as soon as possible.

Sunday, 25 September... Rambo Returns

Rambo evidently watched me sweep my driveway earlier in the morning. I did so, before I backed my car out of the garage.

He walked down and rang the bell around 1130am, to tell me that he had about an hour's worth of work to do at home, and then he would be down to clean up my yard. I immediatley protested, but he insisted. I was SO grateful, I just can't express it enough.

I immediately began to rake and pick up the backyard. For him to do the front was enough to accept. The backyard was far worse than the front. The heat was a killer, but I got most of it up.

Rambo and D came down in a couple of hours and while Rambo mowed and bagged the front, D helped me move the limbs and bags to the curb. It was hot, and I was happy to provide gatorade, but it wasn't enough to really make a difference.

A, from the corner, came down and we had a good visit. J had to go to work, but she said that she was IN for a late afternoon get-together.

Sunday, 25 September... The Aftermath

I cleared my driveway from limbs and twigs and backed my CRV out. I had some washing to do, and and I also needed to purge the garage from backyard stuff, I saw Rambo out in the yard, but I was in no hurry to get the yard cleaned up. I was only interesting in attempting to a sense of normalcy.

Saturday, 24 September... Got Wine, Seek Company

In the late afternoon, early evening, I opened a bottle of wine and poured a glass. I was feeling s sense of relief that we had both dodged the bullet and successfully completed the fire drill.

I walked down to Rambo's house where he and his friend D, his wife and our neighbors S&T were hanging out and enjoying drinks. I asked if it would be ok if I enjoyed my bottle of wine with them. Their response was a resounding, bring it on!

I had a wonderful time, which was punctuated with their next door neighbors return home. We stood in their driveway and visited. Their intentions were to shower up and head to JR's. I placed my order with them and remained behind to sip another glass of wine.

It was not much longer when I felt the need to crash. I thanked my host and hostess and headed for home. Rambo and D escorted me part of the way, and it embarassed me. It was good to know, though, that there were people who were concerned about me.

Saturday, 24 September... Neighbors touch base

I heard neighbors out early in the morning, already starting to clean up their yards. I depend on a landscape service for lawn maintenance, and was too tired anyway, to begin cleanup.

Everyone came outside to check on each other. Our sense of community prevailed.

Saturday, 24 September... Birds Return, and Eventually Squirrels

Mid-afternoon, the grackles began to return. They were scouring the ground to recover nuts and seeds that had blown from the trees. Later in the afternoon, I noticed a squirrel or two, trying to lay claim to the feast that had fallen.

I had worried through the night, about the squirrels and birds. My squirrels, typically, passed storms in the shelter of my window sills (driving Miss C nuts). Perhaps they passed Rita in these same sills, but with windows boarded, Miss C and I were unaware. I hoped so, anyway.

Sunday, 25 September... Begin Recovery

Early Sunday morning, I swept/raked the driveway, so that I could back my car out of the garage. I needed to transfer outdoor things back to the outdoors. I emptied outdoor things from both the garage and the house to the patio.

I felt better and was prepared to deal with everything else as it came up... when Rambo came down and told me that he was going to clean up my yard. I thanked him, but told him that it wasn't necessary and that I would wait on my regular guys. He said that he had an hour or so's work of work to do at home, and then he would be back.

I immediately went into cleanup mode. I moved all of the limbs that had fallen in the backyard, into the front driveway. I raked and bagged as much as I could, of what had fallen in the backyard.

Rambo came down and mowed and bagged the front yard. He saw everything that I had raked and bagged from the backyard. I guess he assumed that I had cleaned up the entire backyard. And I was not about to ask for assistance with the back. It was enough of an embarassment to accept assistance with the front.

Saturday, 24 September... Rita passes

As the afternoon progressed, winds shifted and rain increased.

I unboarded the backdoor, early afternoon. Until then, I let Miss C explore the front yard by leash. By early afternoon, winds, although still strong, had subsided enough that limbs were no longer falling.

The backyard was a mess. There were many limbs down, mostly from oak trees in surrounding yards. There were enough twigs down, between the surrounding oaks and my pecan tree, that you could barely see the ground.

Miss C, after having me open the door to let her sniff the plywood protecting us... was highly pleased to be able to access the backyard through her terrace door.

Saturday, 24 September... Check in with Chatroom

After making a few telephone calls, I checked into the chatroom to let everyone know that I was ok. Birch had already filled them in, but everyone seemed happy to see me online.

L,WE, in the west side of Mobile (not too far from Semmes), had posted cloud photographs from Rita online. I was amazed, as they were much more dramatic than any I had witnessed here.

Everyone was pleased that I had made it through, relatively unscathed. The wind was strong throughout our conversation, and eventually shifted from the northwest.

Saturday, 24 September... Check on Friends and Relatives

I called my aunt and uncle in Nacogdoches to check on them. When I first called, they were fine. My uncle had gone out to deliver fuel. My aunt was upset that he had recieved little rest, but was otherwise fine.

With later telephone calls, I learned that they were without electricity and had received much tree damage. Fortunately, their house and roof were fine.

I called W&KL and they, their house and yard made it fine, with the exception of a chinese tallow tree that fell on the corner of the house. It didn't damage the house, and was a tree that they wanted to remove, so they were in a happy state.

I called Dude and KBJ, and they made it through the storm alright. They ended up boarding the windows from the inside, left all of the cats free to roam, and had just awoken to emergencies from some of Dude's properties.

MT called to check on me and Miss C. She had made it as far as the northside of Houston and they were on their way back home to League City.

Alex called to check on me. He was pleased to learn that I had power and not so much damage.

Lisa K called to check in. Her house didn't have power, nor did M's, so they were going to return to LM's house for the day and evening.

I tried repeatedly to call DDFL, but to no avail. She had supposedly evacuated to her Mom's house, which is right around the corner of my aunt's house, which was my planned evacuation destination.

She finally called early afternoon. She was on her way home from Humble, where she stayed after 8 hours travel from Friendswood (normally an hour to hour-and-half commute). She told me that her husband had made it all the way to Nac, using backroads, and was at her Mom's house in his S-O truck. We talked until she made it home and found little to no damage. I was happy to locate her, finally!

Saturday, 24 September... Birch calls

Evidently, the RR Chatroom was awake and functioning well before I was. They were discussing me and awaiting my reconnection, when apparently they could wait no longer.

Birch called me on my home telephone. I answered and she was shocked that I still had both power and telephone service. Next, she intended to try my cell phone.

I briefly told her how the night had gone, described to her the present weather situation, and told her that I would check in with the chatroom shortly. As a hurricane tracker, she gave me insight about the post, current and likely track of Rita. She asked about my damage and I told her the extent of what I knew, which was limited to small limbs and twigs in the front yard.

Saturday, 24 September... Morning Light

I ventured out on the front porch, with Miss C on her retractable leash. There were certain things from which we both needed to relieve ourselves.

The wind was extremely strong from the northeast and there were pockets of rain and mist.

The house was so dark, that we returned to bed. I turned on the television, and to my surprise, all channels were availabe . The power had gone out during the night, for several hours, so I was surprised that cable was still functioning.

I tuned back in to the hurricane programming, to get an update on how everyone fared, and to determine the predictions of Rita's full impact.

As I feared, she hit my brother's county hard. And she was heading toward my hometown, the locale to which I had intended to evacuate, and I began to worry about my aunt and uncle.

Saturday, 24 September... Hurricane Hits

I woke up four times in the night, cognizant of the stages of Rita's passing.

Twice I woke up with Miss C having what sounded like an episode of asthma. My chatroom buddies had told me to give her Benadryl (they even called the emergency vet!) beforehand. I didn't because she seemed so calm. She had these two "attacks", and readjusted herself so that I could hold her and love on her. Once calm, we both fell back asleep.

Twice more, I woke up to sounds of horrific wind. Birch had told me that it would sound as if you were standing by a passing train. She was right. I imagined myself in Chicago, as a train passed. The sound was exactly the same. I managed to fall back asleep.

Several times, I also heard things hitting the house. They sounded like small things, and although I remember hearing them, I don't think they fully woke me up.

A house that is fully boarded up, is really quite peaceful. I think, if I hadn't expended so much energy in preparation... I might have actually had a hellish night, full of anxiety and fear. I guess that I'm somewhat lucky, that having done so much myself, that exhaustion pulled me through the worst.

Friday, 23 September... Overcome with worry about my brother

I talked to my aunt, in Nacogdoches, for the last time around 10pm.

Opening up to her, I expressed my concern for my estranged (by his declaration) brother. He lives in Newton County and works in Jasper County. By all accounts, he would be receiving the worst of the weather.

My aunt asked if I would like her to call him. I quickly said yes. She did, but received no answer, either at home, or on his cell phone. And she called me back to let me know.

At this point, I had to put my faith in the Lord, to take care of him.

For a few brief moments, I thought about how for most of the week, the worst of the hurricane was predicted to cross my path. I wondered if he had even been concerned in the slightest with my well-being. It serves no good to wonder, and it doesn't change a thing. I love him with all my heart, irregardless of his feelings for me. It hurts, yes, but it doesn't change a thing.

Friday, 23 September... Sporadic Conversations via Walky Talky

At points during the evening and into the night, we all checked in to make sure that everyone was doing ok, and to make sure that our emergency communications system was working.

KL asked if I wanted to come over to have a burger. I declined because of my fear of getting caught in the worst... away from home.

I asked, at some point, if we needed to turn off our utilities. It was determined, by consensus, to leave them on. At the point it would be necessary (flooding), we would communicate with each other.

A&J issued an invitation to a scrabble tournament. Jokingly, I told them that the last door was boarded and I had no way of getting out. When chastised, though, I confessed that I was simply too tired and too afraid of getting caught away from home in the worst.

Rambo ended the evening by thanking God for looking over us. Everyone began to say goodnight to each other.

And the last words I heard were uttered by Rambo... "Good night John Boy; Good night Mary Ellen".

With those words, I chuckled, arranged my pillow... and went to sleep.

Friday, 23 September... Rejoin the RR Chat

Relieved by having the final preparations in place, I rejoined the chatroom.

I never admitted that I had to get the guys across the street to help with boarding the door. They had bragged about and complimented me so long, that I couldn't bring myself to burst their bubble! (ha).

Miss C, once she accepted that I wasn't going to let her out again, found peace in a chair full of clean clothes. She had not a care in the world.

Around 11pm, I announced that I was going to go to bed. At the room's urging, I stayed up a little longer. By about 1130pm, I found myself too tired to read and respond, so I told them that I HAD to leave.

They gave me last minute advice, before I logged off and ignored all of it by going to bed... in my bed... in my bedroom. My bedroom is on the south side of the house. It has windows on both the east and south, but the east window is protected by another section of house and a huge philodendron. I knew if things got really bad, I would wake up and could move to a safe room.

Friday, 23 September... Panic Sets In

After coaxing and unwilling Miss C into the house, I set my last preparation activity into motion.

I moved the bbq pit into the study (tile floors, thank goodness!), opened the front door, and took the ladder to the patio.

I placed shims at the base of the wooden sill and hoisted the final plywood into place. With my cordless drill and some screws that Oscar left me, I began to board up the last opening.

Everytime I began to use the drill, however, the screw popped out. I tried and tried and tried... until I was panicked enough to concede that I wasn't strong enough to complete the task. (This is difficult for me to admit, even to myself. I am a self sufficient scrapper of a survivor!!!).

I had seen three teenage boys across the street, so I decided to seek their help. Two of them were the sons of a neighbor, one of which has both been very friendly toward me and had come to my rescue before. I ask if they can help, and they seem more than happy to assist me.

The two neighbors tell me that their friend is far more "handy" than they are, and he takes the drill and screws in hand. He tries one screw and it pops out. I am about to panic, when he says... the drill is in reverse! I feel stupid now... but he makes the adjustment and finishes the job. He is tall, so the ladder isn't needed.

The kids are so cool and nice. They tell me that they are going to watch the hurricane blow in from outside. I tell them that there is a part of me that would love to do that... and they invited me over! They also tell me they love my house (as they walked through on the way to do the deal... I'm sure what they loved was the bar that they walked by!!!).

I thanked and thanked and thanked them, and I moved the ladder inside the front door. The wind was brisk and there was moisture in it... but no rain.

Friday, 23 September... The First Limb Falls

Wind had been picking up quickly after around 7pm, and I began keeping a watch for the time to board the terrace door.

I also had allowed Miss C to stay in the yard as long as she wanted, in an effort to squeeze the last bit of everything out of her. My thinking was that it might be quite a while before she could go out again, and I know she would burst to keep from relieving herself in the house (even though it would be perfectly ok with me, under these circumstances).

I kept an eye on her from my computer, which is next to the terrace door. As I looked out at her, there came a sudden gust of wind, that dislodged a limb from the pecan tree... and it hit her. She reacted in typical golden retriever style... she backed up and then pounced on it!

But it upset me! It scared me! Her time in the backyard was officially declared OVER!

Friday, 23 September... Check in with my RR Times of Trouble Buddies

I moved the computer from the "safe room", back to the study, so I could hook it back up and have access to the internet.

Then, I checked in on my RR Chatroom Buddies, who were busy discussing my predicament. I can't begin to tell you how much their support meant. I only hope that I have provided the same to them! They have much more experience with hurricanes than I do, as this is the first time I've been faced with an impending close distance hit.

They held me in high esteem for the amount of preparation I had pulled off, and for my state of calmness. I could accept their compliments for preparedness, but I felt that my calmness was a product of exhaustion.

Birch told me exactly what to expect and though I didn't know it then, it would serve to assure me through the night. Each person made recommendations as to where in the house I should sleep, as well as the things that I should keep by my side.

My chat was interrupted around 830pm...

Friday, 23 September... Last Minute Prep

I filled all of my plastic containers with water and placed them, as well as a dozen bottles of water in the freezer.

I baked 8 potatos, thinking that I could eat them with butter, salt and pepper, should I lose power.

I also boiled 8 eggs, for the same reason.

I thought about frying some bacon for sandwiches, but was too tired to deal with the mess.

Friday, 23 September... Phone Calls

I made and received dozens of telephone calls during the day.

I talked to my aunt in Nacogdoches several times.

MMSP called to tell me that he had made it to San Antonio. He left with his g/f and parents at 4am and made it in a matter of 7 hours.

LK called to find out what my plans were and to tell me where she could be reached.

(My little brother) PAD called from Va to make a last minute connection with me.

One thing about a natural disaster, it brings people together to express their love for one another.

Friday, 23 September... Rambo makes his final rounds

Rambo made his final rounds, door to door, to set and lock the frequencies on everyone's walky talkys. He told me that he was feeling better about things, and we agreed that it seemed we might have dodged a bullet this time, but the exercise was good practice for a time when we might not be so fortunate.

Friday, 23 September... A Peaceful Day

Friday was an eerily peaceful day. I spent my afternoon somewhat leisurely, watching cable television. I had to find non-hurricane related programming. Local stations and Cable News Networks had been all-hurricane-all-the-time... for what seemed like weeks.

All I had left to do, was to board the door and do some last minute preparations in the kitchen. So, I took the opportunity to play with Miss C and rest.

Friday, 23 September... Final Outdoor Preparations

I finish bringing everything outside in, with the exception of the bbq pit, which is left to move into the study, just before boarding the operable terrace door.

My neighbor, Ms. M, came down to my house, wondering if I had a pet kennel that she could borrow. I had one in the attic that belonged to my Boo-Boo. It was at the top of one of my attic stairs so I was able to quickly retrieve it for her.

I mentioned to her that I still needed to "prepare" the hot tub, including strapping the cover down. She said that she had some wire that she found in the park and asked if I could use it. I followed her down to her house and she and I unwound enough to solve that dillemma. She also loaned me her wire cutters so I wouldn't have to seek out my own, in this panicked last minute state.

I returned to the house and wired each corner of the hot tub cover and then wired an "x" over the top, connected to the wire at each corner.

As I was removing the bamboo blinds, fire ants fell from the roof structure and bit my neck a dozen times. Huge whelps formed and I worried just a little, because of my allergies.

Friday, 23 September... Charge the Walky Talky

I received a call from KL. W had left to help her sister, and KL was trying to use the walky talky to contact me.

At that point, I hadn't charged them. One had batteries in it and she and I tested them on a certain frequency. It worked and we both felt relieved.

She mentioned that she would call me to come have a burger with them later in the afternoon. I told her that I would love to, but it would depend on what the weather was doing.

Friday, September 23... Total Darkness Excepting One Ray of Light

Sleeping in a boarded up house is serenity. I would probably still be asleep if it weren't for the one terrace door which remains unboarded.

I awoke, still groggy, and noticed a blast of light from the door. It didn't enter my bedroom, but shone quite surreally in the darkness of the house.

Miss C and I took our time in accepting that it was morning. I finally got up and let her out, then made her breakfast.

We returned to the bed, since everything that had to be done had been done... until much closer to landfall.

We wanted to watch leisurely morning television, but the major networks were all hurricane, all day. We ventured over to watch cable television, just for a break.

I cooked two biscuits and sausage, and was proud that I was able to eat all of both.

Thus was the beginning of an earily peaceful day.

Thursday, 22 September... Forgetfullness, Again

I forgot to eat dinner... again. The heat is a killer, and it has killed my appetite.

Thursday, 22 September... Even Rambo is Anxious

I called "Rambo" and told him that my plans had changed and that I was going to ride the storm out at home. He said he would be down in 20 minutes to discuss plans.

He sounded completely panicked and I told him that there was no urgency.

As it turned out, he never made it down. And that was ok. There is always tomorrow.

Thursday, 22 September... Check on Ms. M

I thought it might be a good idea to relax with a beer, so I popped a top.

I walked out into the front yard to check the actions of the neighbors. After all, I needed to tell "Rambo" that my plans had changed and that I would be riding the storm out at home.

I saw Ms. M in her driveway, so I walked down to discuss her plans.

She was visiting with the new neighbors across the street from her, and I was pleased to meet them... A&J.

Ms. M was surprised that I was still in town, but I told her that I simply wasn't able to get to Nacogdoches. She said that she had decided to stay for the same reason, and I invited her to come to my house to ride out the storm. My invitation was sincere; I truly hoped that she would keep me company.

Thursday, 22 September... Setting up the Safe Room

Learning from a program on a local television station, that the hurricane track lended itself, if sheltering in place in Houston, to riding it out in the southwest corner of your house, preferably in a room with no or few windows.

I selected my living room. It isn't the southwest corner, but it IS south and west and only has one clerestory window, some 22"x72".

I set up a card table and then my hard drive and monitor on it. I had everything hooked up and booted the computer. Imagine my chagrin when I clicked on IE, in order to check in with my chatroom... and the internet was not available.

I closed it out, and tried again. Now... imagine my embarassment when it dawned on me that the broadband connection was a room away.

I thought briefly about moving the computer to my study... but was too tired. Instead, I went to bed.

Thursday 22 September... Oscar is an Angel!

I am interrupted as I rest and talk on the telephone, by a ringing doorbell. Before I can even hangup and get to the door, I hear banging.

It is Oscar, boarding up my front window. When he finishes with it, he came around back and boarded the fixed panel terrace door. He asks if I want to go ahead and board the inactive leaf, but I say no. There's too much time between now and landfall and the dog will want and need to go out many more times.

Oscar is a sweetheart and an angel, and I tell him so.

Thursday 22 September... Unpack Garage and Car

Having moved the backyard into the garage, I had to move the large pieces into the house, so I could get the car into the garage.

Once the garage was unpacked, I had to unpack the car.

Having loaned out everything that anyone needed, including tools and electronics, all I had asked for in return was some ice and a few C-cell batteries. Noone offered up either. Here I sat with my largest windows uncovered, having helped others before myself, and having done all of my own preparations... and I began to have another meltdown.

I was too tired to have a full and complete one, so I laid down to rest.

Thursday 22 September... Run for Walky Talkys

A part of our neighborhood Commander's emergency plan was that each person who elected to stay would be issued a walky talky. Since I thought I was leaving, I didn't get one.

So, I made a quick phone call to Radio Shack to ensure that they were both open and stocked, and ran off to purchase 2 sets.

I stopped on the way home to give one to my good friends W&KL, who live 4 streets over. W and I figured out how to operate them and tested them and I took off for home. Once home, I took another one over to my next door neighbors, and again tested them.

The record heat really took it out of me, as the distances I travelled were so short that the car never cooled off. So, I sat down and tried to cool off.

Thursday, 22 September... MMSP's Journey There and Back

I called MMSP to check his whereabouts, with the hopes that he had made it to his relocation.

Instead, he told me that he and his g/f and parents left at 4am and travelled until noon, at which time he was only 8-10 miles from home. He turned around and headed back to his parents' house to ride out the storm.

Thursday 22 September... Aunt handles decision better than I expected

My aunt really processed the information before her and understood my decision. I tried to warn her that she would actually experience more wrath from Rita, than would I. She accepted it for the most part, but I'm not sure she completely understood the full impact.

She reported to me that it had taken one of her friends 24.5 hours to get to Nacogdoches, and 33 hours for another. She completely accepted the fact that there was no way for me to get there before the storm hit.

Thursday 22 September... Grocery Store prompts empathy of depression of 1920's

There is nothing much left to buy at the grocery store. I briskly push my basket up and down aisles, weaving and dodging others who find themselves in my situation.

There is no water left, but I find 5 bottles of Perrier and place them in my basket. Everywhere I travelled in the store, people were asking where I found them. I knew I'd better keep a close eye on my cart!

There was no bread, with the exception of the $5.99 sort (for half a loaf). I bought 2 half loaves, one white, one sour dough.

I was able to find a box of fancy crackers, vanilla wafers, tortilla chips, kettle cooked potato chips and green onion dip. I grabbed a dozen limes and a sack of potatos. I bought beer and wine just in case there were nerves that needed calming. And I bought a box of Emergen-C, for just that.

The candy aisle was well stocked, so i bought 3 dozen Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, for medicinal value and anxiety relief.

The check out line was incredibly long, but was run efficiently. Each customer was offered the opportunity to select a free bouquet of flowers. And while I was in line, an 18 wheeler pulled up with a load of water that they distributed at the end of the checkout counters.

I had to squeeze the groceries into my packed car and headed home.

NOON, Thursday 22 September... Reverse Decision

By noon, models begin to show landfall east of Galveston with inland hurricane warnings through east Texas. This not only puts us on the clean side of the storm, but puts my evacuation route and refuge in harm's way.

Continuing monitoring of traffic conditions reveal a continuing impossibility of getting out of Houston, no matter which path is selected. Gasoline is hard to come by along the routes, and there are stranded motorists everywhere. It is taking people 24-33 hours to make it to Nacogdoches from the Houston area.

After mulling the situation over, I reach the decision to shelter in place.

I call my aunt to break the news to her. By that time, she has heard of the horrors of traffic, as well as the lack of gas enroute.

Thursday, 22 September... Emergency Energy

I wake up to reports that the eye will pass over Galveston.

I launch myself and immediately begin to board my windows. To my surprise, the plywood is much lighter than it was last night. I quickly board all but the front double window and the door in the back.

I finish packing old photographs and Daddy's writings into a plastic tub, and load them into the car. I also load the FLW, GS and Roycropft colllections into the car. I disconnect my hard drive and monitor and move them to the backdoor.

I pack my silver and coin collections, as well as all important papers and move them to the car.

I load clean clothes into garbage bags and pack them, along with all of my jewelry into the car.

I prepare the backseat with pillows to make the dog comfortable in our evacuation.

I make plans for last minute loading of dog and computer and food...

Wednesday Night, 21 September... Garage loaded, CRV ready to roll

Backyard art and potted plants, bbq and fire pit, torches, bird feeders and wind chimes are packed into garage.

CRV is vulnerable in the driveway, pending morning's packing and departure (evacuation).

Wendesday Night, 21 September... Neighborhood Patrol

Our neighborhood's self appointed "Rambo" and all around good guy (ole boy) made the rounds to determine who was staying and who was leaving. He promised to erect signs at the ends of our block which proclaimed "If you intend to loot, we intend to shoot".

He also suggested if enough of us already had our FEMA cards, we could purchase a generator that would power the entire block.

I told him I was leaving and would call him to help me turn my utilities off, but I immediately began to regret missing his attempts to protect our neighborhood.

Wednesday, 21 September... Heat Stroke, Meltdowns, Etc.

Shortly after I return from picking up my prescriptions, my across the street neighbor asks me if I need help. I almost jump for joy, while at the same time feeling guilty, as I tell him, very definitively, that I DO need help.

Measuring and cutting wood doesn't sound taxing, but after a day spent with a 110 degree heat index, by 10pm, I find myself incapacitated by nausea and horrendous muscle cramps.

In the meantime, I manage to board 5 windows and begin a 6th as it darkness begins to take hold. The sixth window is within the confines of a wildly overgrown Phildedendron and as I push the plywood into place, the clips flipped off into the darkness of the rootbed.

I am overcome by anger, fear and helplessness and begin to curse and cry uncontrollably.

Shortly thereafter, I excuse myself. I tell my NDN and ATS neighbors that I cannot possibly do even one more thing. After all, I have been pacing upwards of an hour trying to walk off dibilitating cramps that have left me incapable of breathing a normal breath.

As I shut down my garage and house, I begin again to cry uncontrollably. I am the only one in the neighborhood who is so helpless. The help that was offered to me, had been spent readying the next door neighbor's house, while my house remained unprotected.

I know that I felt sorry for myself, but I ALSO know that I felt angry.

In the midst of a meltdown, I called my aunt and leaned on her. I didn't so much need comforting, as much as I just needed empathy. I was ill, exhausted and overwhelmed. I felt bad for seeking comfort in her 72 year old arms, but I did.

Wednesday, 21 September...Realities of Emergency Times

I checked to see when my prescriptions would be ready to pick up, and was told... 5pm!

Wednesday, 21 September... Phone Calls on the Road

While stuck in traffic, I called my friends W&KL, who live 4 blocks from me.

W's mother almost drowned and lost her home, as well as everything she owned, in Biloxi during Hurricane Katrina, so I was really surprised that they were choosing to ride out Rita at home.

They were planning to call me to check on my plans, and encouraged me to stay with them, if I decided to stay in Houston. By this point, my concern was growing as to whether I could make it out of town. I hoped that with the next morning's light, the roads would be clear.

I also called my aunt and updated her on my progress and intentions.

Wednesday 21 September... Picking up the RX

It took me about 10 minutes, taking 290 to 610 t0 59 to get to the pharmacy. Traffic heading out of town, however, wasn't moving.

Prescriptions in hand, I decided to take the backroads home. I will never know if that was a mistake, but it felt very much like one. It took almost 2 hours to get home.

Once home, I fed the dog and returned next door to measure and cut plywood.

Wednesday, 21 September... Cutting Wood

I along with MS and SS, my NDN's, began to cut the plywood in the middle of the afternoon. Words cannot express how hot it was outside, nor could words express how difficult it was for three middle aged folks with desk jobs, to withstand a heat index of 110. It was HELL.

Wednesday, 21 September... Supplies for Coping

I make a quick run to pick up a few supplies that will supplement my natural abilities to cope in stressful situations, on the road or in an evacuated circumstance.

I was hoping to combine this trip with the prescription pickup, but I know that I'll be pressed at 5pm to do both.

On the way home, I swing through (well, "swing through" is an exaggeration... perhaps it should be "poke excrutiatingly through") the drive-thru at WhataBurger. Ordinarily, I try not to eat fast and junk foods, but this is nearing an emergency.

On the way home, I notice that some gas stations are closed and some are open, doing normal business. That concerns me, so I begin to seek out news.

Wednesday, 21 September... Gas Line and Telephone Advisory

Around noon, and after hearing of gas shortages, I headed out to fill the CRV’s tank for my Thursday departure. There was a long line at the closest Shell station, but I waited patiently, out of fear that I might not find gas or a shorter line anywhere else.

While waiting, my cell phone rang. It was Birch, my CT friend. Birch is a wealth of information on many subjects, but hurricanes are her expertise. She was calling to make sure that I intended to stick to my plan of leaving Houston on Thursday morning.

She briefed me on Rita’s current status, forecast track, and all of the information that I should listen for and pay attention to, including eyewall replacement cycles.

I assured her that I was sticking to my plan and that preparations were well under way.

Wednesday, 21 September... Ms M's Dillemma

Ms. M stopped by when S, my NDN, and I were unloading the plywood.

She didn't know what to do... whether to ride out the hurricane, as she always had... or whether to evacuate. She told us that Rita had unnerved her, like none other.

Without hesitating, I invited her to evacuate with me. I would enjoy her company and she would be more than welcome by my aunt and uncle. She thanked me and said that she would definitely consider the offer.

Wednesday, 21 September... One bite of Breakfast

I'm already paying for the wine last night. I am able to eat one bite of a sausage and biscuit. I'm too hot, and my anxiety is too high to eat any more.

Hopefully, the Emergen-C will do the trick!

Wednesday 21 September... Morning On the Run

Ran to Montalbano's Lumber at 7am, only to be told that they had no 1/2" plywood, excepting 3/8" plywood with 1" o.c. grooves and finishing plywood for $35/sheet. Neither were acceptable and we began to call other stores.

The Spring Home Depot had 1/2" plywood, but only 80 sheets and a long line. Between my neighbor and me, we needed 22 sheets. We assumed that they would be long sold out before we could get there.

Arriving back home, I began to consult with several people that I trust. The overwhelming response was to accept 3/8" with anticipation that I wouldn't find 1/2". Every store was expecting 1/2" deliveries, but it was anybody's guess when that might be.

S, the NDN, and I went back to Montalbano's to get the 3/8" plywood that they told us they had. When we got there, they told us that they no longer had it.

The salesperson pullled us aside and told us that they had plenty of plywood, in fact, they had just received a shipment, but they were waiting the opportunity to raise the price in times of shortage... either just before the hurricane, or during re-building.

The salesperson was allowed to tell me that they had 3/8" plywood with grooves at 1"o.c. and I insisted on seeing it before I would agree to purchase it.

Once taken to the "back", I found TONS of plywood. I asked my escort why I couldn't buy from a certain pile that we passed. He counted the sheets and said that they had enough. I proceeded to the sales counter, where I was told that it didn't exist. I insisted that I had just laid my own eyes on it, and after much argument between sales and warehouse personnel, they agreed to sell it to me. I heard, nonetheless, the sales manager say... "NO MORE, NO MORE".

Both my NDN and I intend to follow up with letters and phone calls to the State Attorney General's office.

Tuesday, 20 September... Neighbor Offers Help

My across the street neighbor offers to help me in any way that I need him. He tells me to call him tomorrow. It means the world to me that he is willing to help. I will do my best not to have to call upon him. The reassurance alone is empowering.

Tuesday, 20 September... Pepi, but no dinner

In all of the commotion, I remember to drink wine, but forget to eat dinner. I’m going to pay for this tomorrow.

Tuesday 20 September... Reassuring phone call

MRT, as fate would have it... both my good, good friend and my boss's wife, called about 9pm. She had spoken with my boss (her husband) and called to tell me to take care of the things I needed to, to make sure that my home was safe and secure, as well as my number one girl (Comet) and myself.

She told me that she (our receptionist) was not going to be in the next day, and that her husband would understand if there were things I needed to be out of the office, taking care of.

Neither she, nor her husband will ever fully understand how much that conversation meant to me. This entire nightmare is overwhelming to me, and although I am quite good at facing things one foot in front of the other... up until now, there has not been a natural disaster breathing down my back.

Tuesday, 20 September... Pepi soothes the anxiety

I packed all of my photographs (including childhood photos of my parents), my Frank Lloyd Wright collection, my Roycroft books (mostly first editions), my Gertrude Stein books (mostly first editions) and other first editions that I have collected... all into waterproof plastic tubs.

I also gathered my important papers and other items that I could never replace.

There is a sense of emergency, but certain emotions arise in this situation. Questions pop into my mind as I walk through the house, mainly... Will I ever see this again? I love my little home, and I have invested a lot of myself into its restoration. I will survive its loss, as I have all the others before it, but it will be hard.

To relieve my anxiety, I select and sip on a bottle of my favorite wine... Pepi Sauvignon Blanc!

Tuesday, 20 September... Check in with Private Chatroom

I paused my evening’s activities to check in with the private chatroom that I frequent. Our primary subjects range from personal goings on to discussing the Natalee Holloway Case to hurricane emergencies.

Birch, my personal hurricane consultant, warns me that Rita is not to be ignored. She is big and strong, and she is headed my way. I let my friends know that I’m boarding up and getting out. They reassure me and are quite relieved that I had reached that decision. These friends are mostly from Alabama and Mississippi, so they are quite accustomed to impending hurricanes.

I visit only briefly, because there is so much to do.

Tuesday, 20 September... Phone call from Dude

Dude called to find out what I was planning to do. She plans to ride out the storm with her KJ and her dog and14 cats. She invites me to come over and stay with them, but I tell her that I’m boarding up and getting the hell out of town.

She sounds nervous, as she has just gotten back to Houston from riding out Katrina in Mobile. I try to talk her into evacuating with me, but she declines. I’m not surprised, since she’s a girl that travels back to Mobile to ride out all of the hurricanes and take care of her two homes there.

I reminisce about all of the years that we were neighbors, and about all of the elaborate plans and preparations we made. We rode out TS Allison together. I would feel much better if we were still living as next door neighbors, but she will soon be leaving Houston permanently for a new (and to return to her old) life in Mobile.

Sigh...

Tuesday 20 September... Relying on the Judgment of Others

MMSP calls me at 6am. His concerns have grown substantially overnight. Hurricane models continue to predict her path predominantly toward or to the west of Galveston, leaving us the worst part of the storm.

MMSP advises me that he is buing plywood before going to work, that he intends to take Wednesday to fully board and pack, and that he is leaving town on Thursday at the latest. He is willing to help me to the extent he is able, but I know he has a very full plate, between his own house and that of his paretns.

But at long last... my feelings are validated. I go to work, and discussions quickly focus on Rita preparations. Everyone is becoming concerned, and my boss is out, purchasing plywood.

I do a little research and discover "Plylox Clips". Upon my discovery, I rush out to Home Depot and purchase 80 clips ( $120). I find, too, that HD has 7/16" OSB that will withstand 110 mph winds. Unfortunately, I have no way of getting the plywood home.

I call my dearest friend from northern Galveston county, and as she is talking with engineers with Boeing, she begins to tell me not to be concerned because they say the hurricane is going south.

I beg to differ, telling her that my understanding of physics questions that possibility entirely. She reminds me that physics is their strongpoint, and although that makes me feel totally inadequate, I can't argue with the facts that I see before me.

She further tells me that the engineers are not covering their windows. I find that odd, but stand resolved in my own predictions. And, I recommend the Plylox Clips for covering her own windows.

I run by the house to get my "across the street neighbor's" cell phone number, and I run into the neighbor that I consulted the night before. She, by now, is beginning to be concerned by the path. I show her the Plylox clips and return to work.

Once back at work, I knock out my major priorities. I have two projects with critical paths and I was able to accommodate both of them by day's end. In my heart, I knew, by Wednesday's morning light, I would need to turn my attention to my own affairs, in preparation for Rita.

I stop by the grocery store close to work, but it is impossible. I return to my car...

On the way home, I check in with my aunt to make sure she's up for company. She assures me that it is more than ok for me and Miss C to seek shelter in her home. I figured it would be ok, but wanted to make sure.

Once home, I check back in with my next door neighbors, and their tune has changed substantially. They are now ready to purchase plywood and board up. "S" makes phone calls and locates plywood, and we trilaterally make plans to purchase the plywood at the local lumber store at opening the following day.

I call the pharmacy and order three prescriptions renewed, as my uncertainty builds regarding the return to normalcy.

HURRICANE ADVISORY
2pm TUESDAY, 20 SEPTEMBER

11% CHANCE OF HURRICANE RITA MAKING LANDFALL BY 2am SATURDAY, 24 SEPTEMBER IN GALVESTON.

HURRICANE ADVISORY
11am TUESDAY, 20 SEPTEMBER

11% CHANCE OF HURRICANE RITA MAKING LANDFALL BY 2am SATURDAY, 24 SEPTEMBER IN GALVESTON.

HURRICANE ADVISORY
5am TUESDAY, 20 SEPTEMBER

9% CHANCE OF HURRICANE RITA MAKING LANDFALL BY 2am SATURDAY, 24 SEPTEMBER IN GALVESTON.

11% CHANCE OF LANDFALL IN BURAS, LA TO 7% CHANCE OF LANDFALL IN BROWNSVILLE, TX.

HURRICANE ADVISORY
5am MONDAY, 19 SEPTEMBER

8% CHANCE OF HURRICANE RITA MAKING LANDFALL BY 2am SATURDAY, 24 SEPTEMBER IN GALVESTON.

12% CHANCE OF LANDFALL IN BURAS, LA
10% CHANCE OF LANDFALL IN NEW ORLEANS, LA

Monday 19 September... Acceptance

I was anxious about the possibilities of Rita as I drove to work, and I found myself frequenting the National Hurricane Center website all day.

Having exchanged email pleasantries and gratitude with my dearest friend for my birthday celebration on Saturday, I called her on the way home to alert her to the fact that her area, in northern Galveston County will likely sustain a direct hit.

She and her husband, who is also a dear friend, are talking it over when I call. I make suggestions about how to cover their expansive windows, and her husband calls me back afterwards to verify what he needs to purchase. His tone is aggrivated as he is realizing that this might be "the one" that we've all silently worried about.

I receive a call from my friend as she waits in the line at Home Depot, with their plywood purchase. She hangs up quickly as she sees her husband approaching, almost as if she just knows that he will aggrivated further to find her talking on the phone when he returns.

I call my neighbors who have lived in this neighborhood for 50 years or so, and have survived through all sorts of tropical storms and hurricanes. I am met with a relaxed attitude of confidence and wait and see.

In spite of their relaxed attitudes, I research the history of both the impending Hurricane Rita, as well as Hurricane Alicia in 1983. I find a website with memories of Alicia, hoping to find peace and to an extent, I do, but I temper the peace with fears regarding the impact of the massive development that has occurred in the last two decades.

I go to bed hoping that tomorrow will provide better answers, and if not answers... insights.

HURRICANE ADVISORY
5pm MONDAY, 19 SEPTEMBER

5% CHANCE OF HURRICANE RITA MAKING LANDFALL BY 2am SATURDAY, 24 SEPTEMBER IN GALVESTON.

HURRICANE ADVISORY
5am MONDAY, 19 SEPTEMBER

3% CHANCE OF HURRICANE RITA MAKING LANDFALL BY 2am SATURDAY, 24 SEPTEMBER IN GALVESTON.