Requesting Air Cover

We’ll be wishing us up the mountain when she comes…”(USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)

Dad would yell, “We’re going up a hill. Pick up your feet so we’ll make it”. As little kids, we were sure the car would stall – and maybe even roll backwards – if we didn’t comply.

Extend that concept:

Everyone west of the Mississippi please face Eastward/ South east, puff up those cheeks and exhale with such force and determination that Irma and Associates blow into reverse.

Wave brooms and towels, too.

All together now: “Hurricanes, Hurricanes. Hurry, hurry far away!”

Seriously, Harvey must have texted, “The water’s fine. Come on down!”.

Won’t show you any flood recovery images. Residents are tired of being gawked at by outsiders. Enough already; we’re busy.

You’re probably glazed over by now anyway. Yes, there’s still flooding.

We’ve been warned if and when Irma makes landfall, resources will be shifted there.

Having watched far too much of Twin Peaks, a tree strikes a Venus de Milo pose in a shadowy appeal for help turning the storms. (Image ©)

So we really need air support right now, if you don’t mind.

Florida and the Carolinas would appreciate the assist, too.

Huff and puff and blow that storm down.

Driving rain.

Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge.

Hurricane Harvey recovery notes:

• Birds. It’s so quiet. Not even doves. I heard a bird calling early Monday morning sounding so lost and lonely. That night we heard, then saw, an owl perched on a roof gable. Tuesday morning a whole line of ocean-going birds sailed over headed to the coast. Later that afternoon, our local red tailed hawk swooped over us hunting once again in the neighborhood. Hopefully we’ll be in fine feather again soon. Fall migration isn’t too far away. Worried the Whooping Cranes will find their wetland habitats south of us too damaged to sustain them this year.
• A neighbor has spent the past 3 days helping to clean his mother-in-law’s room and her nursing home. He’s older himself with health problems, but what can you do? He was chuckling this morning when I ran into him walking his Labrador. Said he’d gotten a postcard from the nursing home in that “handwritten” script relaying how much fun his Mother-in-law was having playing bridge and that she enjoyed organizing bridge tournaments the past couple of days. He said, “How would we know? These cards always looked authentic and reassuring.” Smart marketing strategy by Corporate, but easy to get tripped up during hurricane season.
• Tell me again why it’s a smart idea to take down the elevated portions of both Hwy 59 and Hwy 45 and run them underground instead of over downtown as they are now. I know the tunnels of Boston, but considering the massive flooding issues that don’t seem to be so rare any more? All I can say is “I see dead people.”
• Being ridden out on a rail maybe isn’t such a bad thing. Gee, what if there was high speed commuter rail from Galveston to Houston to Dallas to San Antonio to Austin? We’ve been asking for decades, DC and elected officials. Considering the need to move large numbers of people quickly before and after big storms, all the people with flooded out cars who could really use a ride – not to mention taking cars off the roads and easing everyday traffic problems.
• Need more proof German Shepherds are really smart? People noticed him in the GRB regional shelter. Nobody seemed to come check on him. Had he been left behind as families and evacuees were moved to apartments and hotels accommodations? A volunteer took him in as a foster. Social media scorned his owners. Actually, the dog’s a typical self-reliant Texan. A Metro bus driver surfaced with his story. While she was shuttling people to the shelter during the hurricane, she noticed this German Shepherd standing on the corner – by a bus stop. It was storming, so she pulled over, opened the door, told him to get on and he did. Sat quietly and once at the shelter, he was escorted to a nice dry spot, feed, and generally pampered by volunteers in the pet area. He’s got a spot now. Not to worry. Safe and sound no matter what. (Animals need to be chipped, but owners need a good picture, too. This app also provides new hope: Finding Rover  and the story “APP uses facial recognition to reunite owners with lost pets”)
• I’m healing a small gash (stupid stick) on one leg and some fire ant battle scars on the other ankle, so no contaminated flood water or bacteria oozing mud zones right now. Busy making dog beds. Lots and lots of dog and cat beds that are badly needed. Not fancy but just as comforting. Which brings up these two local groups sheltering lost pets: League City Pets Alive (Volunteers fostering keep our city shelter no kill) and Bayou Animal Services (Galveston county: Dickinson/and others) Both of these shelters took in over 100 pets and are working to reunite them with ones as well as offering to house pets until owners can get things sorted out. They are also handing out pet food and supplies to evacuees and pet owners who are in hotels or damaged houses. Galveston Island Humane Society has offered dry rooms to store (and distribute) donated food. Big thanks for all who swam, rowed, waded in to rescue and those who are tending (a young vet from out of state is one), driving in food and pet supplies, fostering, and walking all back to normal-ish. We won’t forget. Thanks.

 

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