Aftermath - Day Three

Man this is a lot to keep up with :-) But I enjoy it and it's a great way to document my experience. And overall it's been a good experience - a nice change of pace. But I'm jumping ahead of myself, so let's take a look at the third day.

Thank you, Jesus, again, for this cold front! It was an absolutely gorgeous and comfortable night. I actually needed a blanket! I've noticed that with no power, I've been getting tired sooner and waking up earlier. This morning (Monday the 15th) I woke up with the Sun and above was a picture that doesn't do the sunrise justice.

For the past few days these helicopters have been following the I-10 corridor, back and forth, back and forth. I'm guessing that they are with FEMA and running supplies out to the POD sites. Wierd name, huh? Sounds like some sci-fi we're taking over your bodies alien movie or something. I believe POD stands for "point of distribution". FEMA has come under criticism for how they have and have not responded to the situations here, and I must say that I agree with the criticism. Our mayor even called them out live on a press conference, it was great. I have always liked our mayor (Bill White - a Democrat!!) and I have tremendous respect for him now. He has done an amazing job with the whole situation. I am blessed that I haven't had the need to go wait in any of the FEMA lines.

Here's the finished product from my creative spike from Ike. I haven't decided whether or not to put that last little pane of glass in or not.

So here's a shot of me three days since my last shower. Isn't that a great look?? You should have smelled me :-) I went over to Jim and Susan's and helped them clean up some of the debris from their yard. In return they let me use their hot water (they would have without the work effort) - it was a great feeling to get clean and human again - though I still finished off with a cold shower.

Here's the dog park again as the waters are receding. Sounds Biblical, doesn't it? - the waters receding? Makes me chuckle. The hill is more obvious there in the center, but was the most obvious was the SMELL! UGHH!! I wondered how many fish and other "creatures" were going to be left high and dry there in the park when the water was totally gone.

Besides my broken glasses, here's the most significant damage I encured from the storm - almost all my food spoiled. I had to prop the doors open at this point to keep it from stinking. I was able to take some of my most favorite and expensive stuff over to Jim and Susan's fridge.

And here's my last supper - technically brunch. I had baked this lasagna right before the power went out. On the second day I transferred it to the freezer cause my ice was keeping it fairly cool. But by day three the ice couldn't keep up the amount of empty space in the fridge, so I had to eat the lasagna cold before it went bad. Next hurrican I'm buying a small styrofoam ice chest to store things in...I think that will be more efficient.

And here's a shot of how I kept my place cool, just opened everything up. It was really very pleasant and the smells and breezes reminded me of my time at my grandmother's in Michigan. I've been enjoying this changed and slower pace.




After my shower, Jim and I went to find gas and we were blessed to find some at the gas station closest to their house. It was the first time this gas station was open since Thursday. There was quite a line, but we figured we should strike while the iron was hot.

Here I am waiting in my first gas station line. It was actually kinda fun - I'm sure cause it was only my first time. But now that I've been there and done that, I don't know how eager I'll be to do it again. I'm hoping that more gas stations will be back online by the time I need to get gas again.

Getting closer. It only took the gas stations a day to learn how to handle these new circumstances. They roped off all the entrances but one, effectively creating only one line, and also hired security guards to help keep the peace. At this gas station everyone was extremely curteous, patient and kind and it moved really quickly - I think we were in and out of there in about 20 minutes or so.

Jim filling up his gas tanks for the generator, as well as his neighbor's gas can. Exciting shot, huh?

You know that good feeling you get when you have a full tank of gas? Well, multiply that feeling by 10 and you'll have an idea of how I felt after gassing up :-)

A shot of the neighborhood where Jim's apartment is (he and Susan are living separately at the moment). One of the wonderful things about this disaster was the way it has created a sense of community. Neighbors who never speak to each other began talking and spending time and helping each other out with yard work and sharing resources. I actually got to know some of my neighbors a little better as well.

Bent goal posts. I liked the symmetry.

This one's for you Doyle! :-) Recognize it? It's the Pier 1 sign laying in pieces across the street at Walgreens.

We ended day three with a hurricane feast at Jim and Susan's. They fired up their gas grill and we cooked up what meata I had left and threw together some of their fixings as well. Mike and Pam came over and brought dessert and we had a great meal out on the back patio enjoying the breeze. It was a wonderful moment sharing a meal with friends who have all gone through the same thing.

I just happened to notice this shot when I was setting my camera down before turning it off after taking the above picture of all of us.

And this final picture below was yet another sign of God's grace - a full moon at a time when 75% of the city is in the darkness.