Still in the Dark

Day 5 after Ike and still no power. It’s beyond time for me to decide what to do. Since it’s Thursday, I’m guessing I’ll stay put through Sunday and then head to Austin if there is no power.

I drove to a POD (Point of Distribution) yesterday to pick up some ice. They offered me water, but I’ve plenty and didn’t feel like I should take from someone who didn’t. I swung past my last home and noted Officer Friendly sitting on the porch with some friends. With the ice in the car melting I couldn’t stay for long, but I did stop to say hello. They all did well, even had power. We chatted for a while and I asked about his “boys.” He had to put the older one down a few weeks ago. My throat swelled, I know how he felt. His other dog is desolate. He asked if I got a new dog and I told him about the Fluffies. As I drove away I smiled thinking how very wrong I was about Officer Friendly. I truly miss the folks on that block, they are great.

I got home and situated and then my new neighbors all started congregating to discuss our day. I guess if you rip electricity away folks have nothing to do but get to know each other and visit.
Life in a hurricane ravaged city truly is strange. You go to one of the few restaurants open and they tell you they have no water, no milk, no mustard and you smile and say “Great, no problem.” You leave the waiter a 40% tip because you know they had to move heaven and earth to get to work and are going home to a dark, moldy home. You are just grateful to get hot food and sit in the light. You don’t find it strange to see lines forming anywhere, you just pay attention to what they are for just in case it’s something you need. Folks spread the word on the gas stations with the shortest lines, the grocery with full power who has perishables, or the hardware store that is open.

Yesterday I popped into Lowes. A few minutes into shopping the lights went out. No one blinked an eye, just continued shopping. We had to get the item number and the cost of each item. At checkout they handwrote receipts and took credit card imprints, warning us it would charge later so don’t forget how much you spent. They couldn’t total the receipt because they didn’t have enough time or calculators. Can I tell you how long and laborious this all was? No one blinked or moaned. We know we are lucky and are thankful for the little things. We don’t compare ourselves to Katrina or Rita, or Ike’s worst victims – poor Galveston, the Bolivar Penisula and the other coastal areas. We have a major mess, but we also have cool weather.

Ike has been a humbling experience.