Friday, September 19, 2008

Hurricane Ike - September 13, 2008 They weren't kidding when they said Ike was big, but we weren't sure what to think. Papa hopped on the ferry (who knew it was literally the last way off Bolivar?) and came to stay with us in Katy. Ga prepared the food, water, and made sure the flashlights were working. We were ready. We watched the tv to see what Ike was doing. I said "watch storm now, cartoons later."Mama and Ga got a little stir crazy the night before and gelled my hair into a hurricane. Women! I slept in my big boy bed that night until mama and dada came to get me at 3. We all "slept" together in their bed, or not. I wanted to talk all about the wind, rain, noise and "the storm!" Luckily mama and I slept in the next morning. When we awoke the next morning, the only damage we saw was to poor Mr. Jim and Ms. Lisa's house across the street. The shingles came off, the water went in. In our subdivision, this model home lost more shingles. We were very lucky that we only lost power during the storm, and had it up and running Saturday morning.
Katy did lose some trees. We live in a rice field, so the trees aren't rooted well. The other areas of Houston that did have trees lost lots...lots.
As good as Katy fared, Papa and Ga's beach house on Bolivar, while standing, is among such devastation, no one is sure of the fate of this area; Crystal Beach was on the dirty side of Ike. The beach house is the orange one right in the middle of the picture. We have such good memories there from the few short months we got to enjoy it. I can't wait to go back, but I think it's going to be a while yet. I wonder if my bulldozer is still in the closet?

While we were cooped up inside during the rains following Ike, I was introduced to play-do. It's ok, but it's a lot more fun to throw it, especially at Mac.

Soon enough, the rains passed and I was outside tossing around my balls. There is this strange reflection on the fence every night...magic!

Of course, I had to find the mud puddle in the backyard. So dada gave me a sink bath.
It was nice having mama home a little more (although she's busy at work - will October ever arrive?), and we got to go to the playground.
Of course, all I wanted to do was play in the mud, again. I am all boy.

So, that's the story of Ike. One good thing, I am loving having my Papa stay with us in Katy - before Ike, we couldn't get him to leave the beach. Now look at us, enjoying berry cobbler and ice cream on a Thursday night. Me and my Papa.