More impressive in person

IT Guy and I went to Houston today...along with hundreds of other stupid people. WE went to get our daughter, Code Woman, and our grandson, C-Bear, out of a very sticky, hot, exhausting situation. I don't know why those other fools were going.

It was an interesting ride, viewing the damage from our air conditioned car and knowing we'd be back home shortly to a house with power, running water, and unspoiled food. Even The Dog-From-Hell-Who-Hates-Me was happy to be going home with us. The-Dog-That-Loves-Me was left behind in Houston with Code Woman's ex-husband T-Man (I have a complicated family), who was helping his dad whose home had lost the roof. He’ll be up later.

The damage to Code Woman's house and yard was more impressive in person, but I took pictures, anyway, for you to see. Her home was only one of thousands with the same ruinous landscaping, broken windows, de-shingled roofs, and damp interiors.

But at least Houstonians can say, “I survived Ike.”

I like Ike...NOT!

The horizonal pines in the background of this picture are in my daughter's back yard in Houston. The uprooted trees used to reach 80-feet into the sky. Now they lean precariously into an oak tree and dangle over the neighbor's house.

The downed trees do answer the age-old question: If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there, does it still make a noise?

The answer is no, because none of my kiddos woke up when the trees came down.

This picture was taken with Code Woman's cell phone when the sun started to come up. They've been without power for twelve hours now and miss media coverage more than air conditioning. When authorities release them to travel, they'll come up here to Bryan until their electricity comes back on. Which might be out for two weeks or so. Bringing their two big dogs. One of which hates me and my little dogs.

I'm glad I don't have an "I like Ike" button among my collectibles!

More art while waiting for Ike

Here’s another cypress knee. This one’s painted as a Santa and called When Presents Run Amuck.

We’re still holding our breath here, waiting for Ike. We’re ten hours from landfall, yet waves are already pounding the Texas and Louisiana coast, according to TV. Cargo planes fly overhead regularly, bringing patients to our area from hospitals near the coast. Roads are packed. Stores are packed. And my mother-in-law wants to go out to eat tonight at her favorite restaurant.

We’ll see.