It's 10:30 in the morning on a Sunday. So far today I have done the following:

• Brewed and enjoyed one of the best cups of coffee I have ever had - sadly, I did not measure and will probably never be able to repeat it.
• Walked the dogs for 20 minutes.
• Walked myself for 4 miles.
• Made homemade whole wheat pizza dough.
• Created a huge 300 calorie, 4 grams of fat, delicious pizza.
• Enjoyed my pizza while sitting on my deck with the Fluffies.

I feel very Martha Stewart. I also know this is not going to last. Still, it's very nice being so productive. Now, I'm going to be honest.

I'm going take a nap. Or at least try to take one. I don't nap much anymore. But doesn't it sound lovely? If only I could order up a nice rainstorm!

Fluffies and Chocolate

It's official - chocolate makes dogs hyper. Seriously.

I went to pick up a rental car today and had a late lunch with a friend. When I got back about 2 hours later I opened the door to my kitchen where the Fluffies were restricted. Paper littered the floor. They both looked guilty as hell.

"What the...." I muttered as I pulled an empty Lindt Truffle box from one of their beds. A friend gave me the chocolates a few days ago for a belated birthday present. I was actually trying to be good, so I didn't eat them all the first night. I'd been eating one or two a day. The box was on my kitchen table. The Fluffies have learned to push the chairs out and climb on top of the table. I try not to leave any food, but sometimes I forget.

So now I have two small dogs who have eaten possibly 4-8 truffles. I call the vet to see if I should try and make them reject their stomachs. She warns there may be diarrhea and vomiting, but they will more than likely be ok since it was milk chocolate. So far, so good in the stomach and bowels. There is one issue that has surfaced.

Chocolate makes the Fluffies hyper. I'm not kidding. They have been literally flying around the apartment. They are jumping from couch to chair to floor, on top of each other, underneath each other, under furniture - it's exhausting to watch! They aren't getting supper tonight. I'm not sure if that has sunk in yet. (I'm equally unsure if I'll keep that vow.)

While I am somewhat glad the chocolate is gone as I had no business eating it - this isn't the preferred way to get rid of them. I'm just hoping and praying that we all make it through the night!

Coffee and the Abortion Rights Act

For Christmas I gently prodded my parents into buying a laptop computer. Their desktop was old, outdated and not conducive to their lifestyle. The laptop, I assured them, would allow them to get email and info on the road when they camped. I downloaded Skype and gave them a crash course.

My parents are currently camping and forgot their phone charger. Somehow, my father found wi-fi in the woods and they have been teleconferencing with me daily getting the news. Last night my cousin set up my uncle on Skype so this morning I decided to check in with the folks and see if they were able to reach him.

So here is it 6:15 am and I ring their computer. My video frames my face with bed pillows propping me up against my headboard. My mother appears, face extreme closeup dressed in her red flannel robe. I manage a good morning and she is off.

"I'm researching the Abortion Rights Bill. Yesterday at church the priest was telling us about it and it's awful. There will be no restrictions...." She begins a litany of horrors, woman having thousands of abortions a minute, no parent approval, every doctor and hospital in America being hauled off to jail if they dare to refuse to perform the procedure.

My mother informs me she is at her state representative's website trying to figure out how to email him a letter insisting he vote against the Abortion Rights Bill. I calmly walk my mother through the representative's website. I explain not all of them have email addresses, and she can print her letter and mail it to him. The vote is Wednesday and she is frantic. I think I'm being very calm and non-judgemental trying to help her get her voice out there.

Suddenly she stops the conversation and asks if I believe in the bill. I gulp. "I think we're better served caring for the children who are here..." My mother is incensed. She goes off on her litany furious at me. I try and explain my position, that this is an intensely personal belief, that I support her feelings and am helping her get heard. She doesn't hear anything past the fact I am pro-choice. She goes off on the how every doctor in America will have to perform abortions regardless of their beliefs.

"Mom, that isn't necessarily true.." We go at it for a minute when suddenly I put up my hands and plead, "WHOA! Stop Mom. How did we get here? I was just calling to say Good Morning and check if you spoke with Uncle?"

She breathes and laughs and I see my father has walked in to the camper. We go on for a minute or two more about how to call my uncle on Skype. We end and say goodbye.

I know she's sitting in her camper worried about where she went wrong with me. She fears for my salvation and wonders how I could be so wrong. And I sit here drinking my coffee feeling a bit confused and nauseated and wishing the church would redirect all its energy to control women into educating, protecting and accepting them as equals. If we truly cared for the people who are here would abortion be an issue?

It's just too early in the morning for all this drama.

Waking Up Happy

The other day I was reading this article about all the maintenance Martha Stewart does each and every day. I am not surprised that woman will more than likely live to be 200 and look great. I am exhausted just thinking of her routine. I do wish I were so narcissistic to care so much for myself. If I could just have 5% of her love of self. Wow.

One thing did grab me, she said not to dismiss the importance of spouse, partner, family, pets.

This morning I went to drop the Fluffies off at the groomer. They were shaggy and every so smelly. I haven't washed them in some time as my big girl has been sick since Christmas. She has been running fever and extremely lethargic. It's been enough time she's been feeling and frankly I can no longer take the smell. So off they went. As I drove back thinking of the bill to come and dreading it, I suddenly thought of that Martha Stewart list. And suddenly I realized something. I wake up every single day and smile and laugh as I get out of bed. I can't help it. The Fluffies are always jumping and dancing and desperately trying to lick my toes. I push them away as I shuffle out of my room. This ritual, though tiring at times, has never failed to amuse me or make me smile. And suddenly I realized it has been a very long time since I've been sick. (Other than allergies.) I guess Martha is right. Pets help keep us well.

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.

Life After Ike

Well, I'm alive and still in Houston. I decided to follow the advice of the mayor and stay put through Ike. My neighborhood has weathered worst storms without flooding so I figured I should be ok. Several of my friends stayed as well so we made plans to keep in touch and see each other through. The night before the storm we gathered at my home for a clean out the freezer spaghetti early supper. Then we headed to our prospective "bunkers."

I went to a friend's home just a mile away. It was brick and solid, and he boarded the windows. I could barely hear the storm. It was dark and hot. The damage to our neighborhood is plenty. Tons of old, huge trees are gone. Power lines are a mess and they are talking like it may be another week or two before we all get our electric back.

My home was not hurt. My neighborhood proved to be pure gold. Everyone went out and cleared trees and limbs. It didn't matter who's yard, everyone worked together and go it together quick. Since then we spend our days and evenings working and visiting each other. Someone cooks and opens the door and calls to anyone outside. Everyone is in and out of each other's home. Everyone checks on each other. We don't know much of what's going on in the world. Most have no tv and little radio. We don't seem to get much news. I feel like I'm in Mayberry RFD, not intercity in the fourth largest city in America. People are people, and that means basically good. There is news of some looting and crime, but no more than what is usual. The only time I feel unsafe is driving at night because there are few traffic lights and it's so dark.

I'm going to have to make up my mind quick about what I'm going to do. Looks like I'll have to head to Austin and set up shop there so I can get some work done. A friend has offered to let the Fluffies and I stay.

Here's hoping for electricity and soon!

Ready for Eddy

I went shopping for hurricane/tropical storm supplies around noon today. For some reason beyond all explanation I went to a small somewhat upscale grocery store in midtown. There was a small supply of water and no flashlights, batteries are real storm supplies. I bought a small sampling of canned chicken, chili, bread, tortilla wraps, luncheon meat and canned dog food. Later I had to run to Target to get my flashlight.

I got home, finished up some work and then sat reading the internet. My brother called to ensure I had battened down the hatches. Yes, I assured him, I was ready. Then I looked outside in my front yard. My O'bama sign rippled in the breeze. I've a few flower pots and other items which clearly needed to be secured. Yet I had never thought of picking up any of it. So I did a sweep through the yard and entered via my back deck. My priceless glass hanging monkeys! I never thought of them. I would be heartbroken if anything happened to them. I put everything away, cleaned my kitchen and washed a few loads of laundry. I tried to walk the Fluffies, but after 6 blocks in the 97 degree heat they made it known they were having none of it. We turned and headed for home.

I'm now showered and in my pj's sitting and surfing the internet. I flicked the channels and found "Cold, Comfort Farm" was just starting. PERFECT! I'll sit and enjoy my clean and cool home tonight because who knows what the morning will bring. Edouard is heading directly for us. But I've plenty of water, wine and beer so even with my strange assortment of food - if all goes well I could ride this out in relative comfort.

Here's hoping...