Gettin’ Back to Normal - Sortof
Howdy, Bubba! Hey, if you're new around these parts, I just want to say how much I appreciate you dropping by! Oh, and you may want to subscribe to my feed. Thanks, and a tip o' the hat to ya!
Well, I’m pleased as punch to say we survived the onslaught of Hurricane Ike. I’ll tell ya, folks - that’s not something I’d want to repeat anytime soon, though - and preferably never!
At the moment, at least 75% of Houston and surrounding areas, and all of Galveston, still have no power (that’s about 2.5 million people and businesses out for the count). Thanks to the heroic efforts of about a zillion power company workers from all over the country, it’s slowly coming back a section at a time.
In the meantime, we’re trying to make the best of a poor situation. I’m sitting in our local Panera Bread Company, where every single person in here has their laptops with ‘em! With no power anywhere, it’s the only Internet around. (Thanks, guys!!)
Mrs. MZM and I are safe and sound, our home suffered no damage (unlike many other homes in our neighborhood), and a kind neighbor even loaned us a generator so our fridge is working again. (I can’t remember the last time I consciously thanked God for ice and a fan!)
So bear with me folks. I know we were sorta in the middle of a What I Learned From… groupwrite project, and I’m working to update the last entries now. And what the heck, if ya still want to throw one in the pot, feel free!
There’s stories to tell and work to catch up on, but in the meantime, Mrs. MZM and I thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for your kind thoughts, prayers, and concern for us and the people of Houston and especially Galveston. Believe me, we still need ‘em, so keep ‘em coming!
You know, it would just be absolutely finer than a frogs hair if you would subscribe to my RSS feed!
36 responses so far
Middle Zone Musings is a comfortable place to stop, have a cup of coffee, swap a few stories and share practical ideas for the real world. I don't ask for much, just a bit of your brain every now and then. Have a seat, take a load off, and relax...
Robert, I’m so glad you’re both okay. We’ve all been hanging around here hoping to catch sight of you!
Sending love and best wishes to everyone in your area
Joanna
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Robert,
I can only repeat what Joanna wrote. I’m really glad that you and Ms MZM are both okay.
Sending love and best wishes to everyone in your area,
Ulla
Ulla Hennigs last blog post..In the Neighbourhood
glad you are okay! that naughty Ike…
Glad to hear you and your home are still standing, Robert. Just saw some photos of the damage to a friend of mine’s office down there. Said he’s glad his business is online and his income didn’t skip a beat with all the mess.
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Robert, Good to hear your voice and find out you are OK. You’re in my prayers.
Brad Shorrs last blog post..Reflections on a Sinking Economy
let me add my thanks that you are safe and sound. It is at times like this that communites need to pull together - sounds like it is already happening in your cafe. Take care.
Jackie
jackie Camerons last blog post..Prepare for the worst - take responsibility for your own career
@Joanna - Thanks for the thoughts and prayers, Joanna. It’s been an experience I’d never want to repeat, I’ll tell ya! Stay tuned for some stories, though.
@Ulla - We appreciate that, Ulla. It’s good to know folks are pullin’ for us.
@Monica - Thanks for thinking of us, Monica. It means more than you can know.
@Chris - Yup; we may be down, but don’t count us out! Still a few pockets of productivity going on here and there. Not to mention the army of workers feverishly working to restore power. We’ll be back!
@Brad - Thanks, Buddy! It was good to hear a friendly voice on the phone today. Thanks for your prayers and keep ‘em comin’!
@Jackie - You’re right; people are actually going outside and, you know, meeting their neighbors! Unbelievable! Unheard of!
No, really; it’s like one big family here at Panera. Everyone here has shared an experience we’ll probably be
boringthrilling our descendants with for years to come.Welcome back! I’m still sending out those prayers and best wishes to you all.
Robert, I was so glad to get your email today. Keeping you, Mrs. MZM and all those who were impacted by Ike in my thoughts and prayers. So good to get a glimpse of you today and I hope the power comes back on quickly!
Karen Swims last blog post..Hurricane Life
Robert,
So relieved to hear that you and Mrs. MZM got through Hurricane Ike OK and that your home suffered no damage. That is indeed good news! And it’s exactly what I prayed for you throughout this whole ordeal. Thank God!
Glad, too, that you’ve got your fridge and fan working and that you’ve found a way to access the Internet to give us this update! Many prayers have gone out for you and the other folks in the Houston and Galveston areas. So glad you’ve fared so well. May God take care of all those who didn’t .
Still praying,
Jeanne
Robert,
So glad you made it.
My wife flew her aunt to D.C. from Texas - her aunt was almost a life-long resident of Port Arthur - and her aunt doesn’t want to go back.
As a reporter I went to a few hurricanes but never really understood the horror.
The cool part comes afterward when you see a lot of bonding, REAL friendships form and residents helping one another.
Continue to hope and pray for improving conditions for you and others caught up in Ike’s path.
-Sam
Sams last blog post..Ike Dislike
@Jean - Thanks, and keep ‘em coming for the rest of the folks who still have some time to wait.
@Karen - Our power was restored late Wednesday night (sound of crowd cheering). Really. You should have seen the ovation the power trucks got when it clicked on.
@Jeanne - Your prayers have worked wonders and are much appreciated! Continue to pray for the remainder of those who are far worse off. Some areas are essentially a total loss.
@Sam - Thanks, Buddy! So you were one of those reporters that had to stand out there and graphically demonstrate how powerful the wind really was? What is that, a rule or something?
You’re right about the neighborhood - we’ve met and bonded with many new friends as we rode around on bicycles in the evenings.
Keep those prayers comin’ folks! The road to recovery is still a long one for many.
Yes, Robert, it is sad indeed to think of those who’ve lost so much. They will most certainly remain in my prayers — and, I’m sure, in the prayers of many others.
Robert,
So glad to hear you and the missus are OK. The devastation, especially in Galveston, from Ike is unbelievable.
Jeanne, Lillie - When I compare what we went through with what some are facing, our problems barely make the needle wiggle on the “inconvenience” scale. Thanks for your prayers for the many who need it most.
Good to hear Ike left you relatively unscathed!
Robert, this is scary! Yikes! Do stay safe. Is the help coming in fast enough? Ellen
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Robert, thanks for sending the photo so that we really see the picture! Thank goodness for Panera bread and their generosity to provide Internet access. They’ve saved my bacon before as well.
Keep us posted about how fast this recedes, okay?
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Robert — I’m so glad to see that you have made it through Ike with flying colours… A very nasty storm, but the pic of you with your lawnmower (in the middle of a lake of water) shows that you’ve survived with your sense of humour intact! Hope things just continue to get better as your hometown dries out.
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@Markk - Good to hear from ya, Bud! Yup; we’re basically OK now. Still lots of cleanup in the area, and there’s still about a million people out of power around here though.
@Ellen - Yes, the PODs have arrived and water/ice/food/etc. is being delivered as fast as they can. These guys are doing a heroic job considering where we were just a few days ago.
@Robyn - So far there’s still a lot of power outages, even around us. But progress is being made. I just know those relief workers gotta be exhausted by now. Keep prayin’ for the area!
@Monique - Hey, long time no hear! Although that wasn’t a photo from around here (and it wasn’t me) - it sure felt that way! Many folks around here are just wanting to get some semblance of normality in the midst of chaos. We’re all doing what we can, though.
First of all Robert, Its so good that you got out of it without anything and second I hope that you never see it again…
Know that you’re strong and will recover from such setbacks, still why are they required to happen anyways…
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Thanks for thinkin’ of us, Narenda. We appreciate your thoughts and prayers for all the rest of the areas still without power. Hey, sometimes stuff just happens, you know? It’s up to us to rise to occasion and make the best of it. There is no victory without struggle, my friend!
thats really nice that you are okay and i hope the one’s who are somehow effected may come back to normal life asap. may god be with them.
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I appreciate that, MOin. We’ll all be stronger for the experience, I think. Keep praying for those who still need help - there’s lots of those, still.
Thank goodness you’re saved and managed to going through the hard time, Robert.
Is time for you to recover now…:)
Good luck!
Thanks, Wilson. Appreciate your thoughts and prayers for the rest of the area still waiting for their power and services to come back.
Glad you’re safe and sound!
CB
Chris Browns last blog post..How to Market and Sustain Your Business When You’re Feeling Uncertain
Thanks, Chris! We’re kinda glad too.