From what I've read in local newspapers, listened to on TV and radio, this area's kindness is overflowing. This is only one of the truly amazing aspects here that I love. Hurricane Ike devastated my areas and many more in the wee hours of Saturday, September 13, 2008. Wind and storm surge took away all that many had. Those that still had homes standing afterwards could not come home still because of lack of basic services such as electricity, water and sewer. There was a severe safety concern as well, causing officials to mandate the continued lockout of the area and then curfews once allowed back in. Then there was concern that the truly low-life of our human race would take advantage of whatever they could to steal. Plain ol' trashy people live among us. Just ... read more

Friends: I am writing for another venue, but feel like I would neglect you if I don't include this here. Please let me know if you would rather not continue to get these blogs and for goodness sakes, feel free to not read them! *************** I grew up and live, yet again, in a southeast Texas gulf coast area that we lovingly call the 'Golden Triangle'. The 'Golden' has to be because of the hearts of gold of our citizens. Whenever there is a need or call to help, this area is more than ready to respond. In 2005 when Katrina devastated so many, our area gladly took in evacuees in churches, shelters and individuals' homes. Donations were flowing out of here. Little did we know that less than a month later Hurricane Rita would be ... read more

Saturday, September 27, 2008 Listening to the local am radio station this morning; programming is back to the normal schedules. This station is, of course, www.klvi.com, 560 AM from Beaumont, Texas, that I mention often. At 5:00 a.m. on Saturdays there is an outdoor show that is pre programmed. A local host comes on at 6:00 a.m. with the Tradio Show, where people, not those offering services or business ventures, are to call in to find or sell anything they need or have. These things often range from firewood and farm animals to tractor tires, computers, vehicles and refrigerators. I, personally, have never called or bought anything from the program callers but listen nonetheless. I was amazed at the people calling in this early in the morning to offer, free, household and clothing items for those ... read more

Today began very cool (for me) and was most welcome to assist with the stench, mosquito and love bug problems. All three were in attendance when it began warming up at mid morning. It has been what some call a 'Chambers of Commerce' day. Most schools are back in session today; others will resume on Monday coming. Current logistics of residence for some students are being addressed and dealt with by the individual school districts of our areas. Recovery and rebuilding are ongoing here. It's still heart wrenching but the tenacity of the folks living here is usual and still amazing. I heard during the 5 pm radio news that the South Texas State Fair, a steadfast event in our combined area, is canceled for this 2008 season. There are many factors and concerns behind the ... read more

The smell is getting better on the way to work. Or maybe I'm getting used to it. Have you ever had the 'opportunity' (don't you just love that buzz word at work?) to be in the area of a poggy (fish) or chicken processing plant / warehouse? This smell may be worse. The remaining trailer complex is now empty of all contents and we're waiting for new trailers to be brought in. So is every other work site in the area, I'm sure. Came home to maybe work some in the yard but between the mosquitoes and my body's pains, have decided to take it easy this evening. Did manage to get my trash cans out to the road in case they actually can get to my neighborhood on the regular time schedule. If not, I ... read more

It's hard for me to look at the photos of damaged areas. It's harder driving through Bridge City to and from my work site. I refuse to drive past work a couple of miles to investigate Sabine Pass proper. I have no business there and they are busy. Work at my site to pack up everything left is continuing as is the mosquito population, stench, heat and pure mess. We should have new work complexes brought in soon. Still have not seen a single rabbit since I've returned to the area. No more alligators spotted on my immediate site today either. Of course we're a working a pipeline project in the wetlands / swamp and the crews are seeing enough varmints for everyone. In case you want to view photos of the areas down here (up ... read more

A Monday, but what a Monday! I came back to my area from evacuation on Friday evening, luckier than a lot that I had electricity. Saturday and Sunday I was concentrating on trying to get some of the tree debris off my property. My body feels my efforts. I went back to work today in Sabine Pass. Before I even got that far, the stench from dead animals, unknown, was horrid. Our work sites were in ruins and some even just not there anymore. Really, it could have been much worse. So tighten your boot straps and get on with it. That is what southeast Texas does. Mud and muck inside and out. We packed up the things that we hadn't packed up prior to our evacuation. Some of us were present on the site today; ... read more

This is a catch up of the news heard during my cool down breaks yesterday and today, once I can stretch and walk the soreness out of my bones. I'm not moving very fast this morning! My radio station of choice is our local KLVI which is 560 AM from Beaumont, Texas. They are a local talk radio and have always been wonderful in manning the airwaves during disasters to our areas. All the local Clear Channel stations are sharing the time spans of broadcasting from this station. Saturday, September 20, 2008: Callers with questions and information are non-stop to the station. Hosts are very patient, gracious and helpful. Mr. Joe Domino of our local electric company, Entergy, came on the air at 9:00 a.m. He is President and CEO of our Texas branch of the ... read more

Friends, I'm still writing for Associated Content so you can catch me there too at http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1052293/hurricane_ike_day_1_home_after_my_evacuation.html Another Timeline September 19, 2008: I am luckier than a lot of residents. My neighbor had called yesterday to say our electricity was on. I called our local Sheriff's department and was told that I was allowed to return to the county if I could be self sufficient. My son had taken me to dinner the night before then he and his friends had a gathering for me to wish me well. That same morning I took my truck to have the oil changed. Almost seven hundred dollars later I have a new power steering pump and gear box. Glad I asked them to check out that new squeak. I packed my belongings while the truck was being worked on ... read more

Isn't that a wonderful weird thing to say? I will pack up all my 'stuff' here and return to my 'stuff' at my home. I will seriously consider getting rid of 'stuff' in the weeks to come! This packing up and moving three times in two months has worn me slap dab down. As much as I dread the clean up of debris and such, at least I'll be home. (Sounds silly, doesn't it, after I moved far away on purpose last year......) I'll take pictures of the place after a day or so and show y'all that I didn't get hit by Ike too bad (so I hope). Now I have to retrieve my truck which had to go to the shop this morning. It's just money, right? I wish for all a speedy, safe ... read more