Mon 29th

Okay - I do not think the taxpayers should be buying the bad investiments made by banks, brokers, etc. who were trying to make big profits at the little guy's expense. The current $700 Billion will become $900 Billion before we know it. Leave it alone and let the market adjust itself.

Sat 27th

We burned two large piles of Ike debris yesterday. The contractors have not yet picked up the piles near the street. We've seen them in other areas, but not here!

We are going to Waco tomorrow, leaving early (6:00ish) and returning late evening. An insurance adjuster is coming to the house Monday - We need to be here. Not much to claim - if anything. Lost the small freezer but our deductible is $500 and a small freezer could be less.

Ike the squirrel is getting bigger and harder to handle. We may let him go Monday or soon afterward. Need to wean him from the bottle. He does eat sunflower seeds, dried or fresh fruit, and dried berries.

Otherwise, nothing happening. Bye!!

Thur 25th (3 months 'til Christmas)

We survived Ike. Still picking up limbs and leaves. We are going to Waco this Sunday for a visit with the kids.

Ike, the squirrel, is growing. His tail is fuller, indicating he is maturing. He prefers indoors and snuggling with either Linda or me. The cat ignores him.

Nothing else to report. Bye!!

Ike Aftermath

Attached are a few photos of our property after Ike came through.

Above is the root-ball of a huge Oak that was blown down. This was the most majestic tree on our property. This photo was taken at a distance of about 200 feet.

The above photo is of the dead Mimosa tree that Ike blew down. This is the only tree in the lawn that was lost. It is now a bridge across the creek.

The limbs shown above are typical of what we found in the yard. The entire forested areas of East Texas are covered with debris like this.

Then, we have feeding time for Ike the Squirrel. He is about 4 or 5 weeks old, fell from his nest before Ike struck, and can put away 4 teaspoons of formula in a flash.

We survived with minimal damage. If the electrical grid was buried, away from falling trees and limbs, we would not suffer periods without electricity after wind storms!!!

Wednesday, 09-17-08

Electric power was restored to our home at 3:00 p.m. today!!! The noise of the neighborhood generators has stopped. We can hear again!!! I will soon have photos of Ike's rampage through Lufkin.

Fri 12th

We are still awaiting Ike. As of 8:22 p.m., we have had a few breezes and one light sprinkle of rain, but nothing else! I am certain that Saturday morning will bring home the fact that a hurricane is approaching.

We have a new pet. Our neighbor found a young squirrel on his patio. About 4 or 5 weeks old. He is a male, has all of his hair but does not have any fear of humans. We have him in a small plastic cat-carrier. He drinks formula from a bottle and sleeps a lot. Cute little bugger. We have named him "Ike". Go figure!!

I will update the storm Saturday morning - if we have power....

Thur. 11th

I have been thinking since Tuesday that IKE would make landfall closer to Beaumont than predicted. As of 4 pm this evening, the projected landfall has moved east, closer to Houston.

Lufkin could get some really bad weather Saturday. The forecast just announced that IKE could still be a cat 1 hurricane as it neared Lake Livingston.

Get all the animals into the Ark NOW!!

Wed. 10th

Did not go to Waco. Linda remembered a Dr. appt. May go Fri. if IKE does not cause problems.

My prediction: IKE will strike near the Tex/La border. I've followed the track and it has continued to move Northwest. Draw a line from the island it crossed just before Cuba to the present location and extend that line to the U.S. Coast...!

Sun 7th

Watch for Ike to visit your neighborhood soon.

You will not believe how lucky some people are!!! The first photo is a close-up. The pickup went through the guard rail, struck the culvert, flipped, and landed where you see it. The second photo shows how close the driver came to meeting the local Undertaker!!!

Sat 6th

I heard "Amazing Grace" sung in French at a funeral in Orange, Texas Friday! Wow!!

Thur 4th

Back from a quick trip to Beaumont to meet the movers and get Jon's condo moved. Linda & I packed until 1:30 a.m. Wed, slept for about 2 hrs, then cleaned the place after the movers left.

We no longer have any attachment to Southeast Texas, Golden Triangle, or Jefferson County!!! YEA!!

Glad Gustav is gone. However, Hanna might cause Nikki some heartburn Sunday. She moved from the earthquake state to NY and suddenly might be facing a hurricane. Wow!

Tomorrow, Friday, I have to take a funeral coach to Orange and help on a funeral down there. Darn!~~

Next Tuesday we plan to go to Waco and help the kids unpack. Surely they will have unpacked most boxes by then..?? Think so??

Bye!

Tues 2nd

Gustav has brought us just a little light rain and a gentle breeze so far. This morning the center was not far northeast of us but we are on the calm, drier side. The neighborhood was prepared for the worst. I parked our cars on the side street away from the trees. Everyone moved their lawn and patio furniture into their garages and generally secured everything left out doors. At 8:56 a.m. there is no sunlight - skies are dark, a gentle, misty rain is falling, and tree leaves are hardly moving. It is very still outside - like a cold Winter morning. I think the weather will return to normal very soon.

Then there's Hanna and Ike!

Bye!