Hurricane Ike

Well, we started getting more obvious effects of Ike about 3 hours ago. The wind picked up and the rain started to fall. Now we have full blown torrential rain and the winds are about 30 miles an hour with higher gusts. We lost power a couple of times but only long enough for it to get re-routed to us. Mom thinks she will be sitting in dark soon enough since 4 million people in Houston are without power ... some of them our relatives and friends.

The "nephew who lives here but has found a house to move to" is not here right now. He has gone to his church to help the evacuees. Since his recent comment yesterday was "It's only a category 3", Mom thinks he doesn't realize what he has gotten himself into and hopes he makes it home okay especially since she let him take her digital camera. Okay, especially since we live off of dirt roads and things flood and he's probably not used to that either AND he drives a little pick up truck that could be blown all over the place in this wind. But she is proud of him for his willingness to help others in need. As you will see, that isn't Mom's attitude unless you are a dachsie in need of being rescued.

We have another guest. Mom's nephew from Corpus Christi, TX is here. He has been evacated twice for Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. He went home to Houston and then discovered that Ike had changed course and was heading straight for his new location! Mom's sister called yesterday morning and asked if he could stay there. Mom said it was okay but he would be sleeping (Mom assumed at night) on the sofa and he needed to bring food that could be eaten in case the power went out. He arrived yesterday ... and now, for the rest of the story...

The other nephew just about caused Mom to keel over when she had to swallow her laughter. Last night he walked up to her about 7:00 and asked "When will dinner be ready?" Now he had been here since 11:00 and prompted fell asleep on the sofa and stayed asleep until he work up hungry. Mom had been at work. That should have been enough indication that she wasn't going to make dinner for him (who is 24 and lives by himself at college). The nephew who lives here already knows that Mom only makes dinner in dog bowls and for those who plan to pee outside. If the new nephew is agreeable to those terms, she might make up a bowl of kibble and cottage cheese for him. Anyway, Mom asked him if he brought any food and told him that it was a "every person for themselves" household. We think he was less than impressed. We don't think Mom cared.

Anyway, we just wanted to make a quick post for everyone before the power goes out and Mom won't let us use the laptop. The battery is good for about 2 hours and without power, this could be our only link to the rest of the world ... well, Mom still has her cell phone. (You know, you gotta feel sorry for folks who live in the country and are roughing it.)

If any of our Houston friends or family read this, Mom says to keep your heads down but above water! We love you but we are glad we are not there.