Shade Tree Wisdom 9/15/08

Well, Ike is slowly leaving the country. The experts say it was fortunate that it moved and didn’t hang around once it made landfall. Yet the damage it did was tremendous. Someone told us they had seen one picture showing a yacht on top of the causeway to Galveston. The storm surge caused that, if it is true.

As a matter of fact, the storm surge did the most damage right along the coast, and wind - well, they keep showing a pictures of the ChaseBank, tallest in down town, with all the windows out on the east side. Then the wind tore up the offices, threw furniture into the street together with computers, files, and other stuff. Leaving a total wreck.

Houston has declared a curfew for the next week to keep down looting etc. Cleanup started, but will take real extended work.

Meanwhile, Ruth and I are in Killeen where Gene and Quinta welcomed us and are keeping us till power is restored in The Woodlands. Our neighbor there was kind enough to check on the house and says she saw no trees on the roof or damage like that, Thank God for His care.

By the way, while guest here I had a ripe tomato picked right off the plant in the kitchen. It was a tiny morsel, but delicious.

So the house is quiet. Ike veered so quickly to the East after making landfall that Killen, predicted for 6 inches of rain, got a mere drizzle. So there was no excitement here excect for the evacuees in the convention center here and in many other places throughout Texas.

Merlin and Rhoda braved it in their home in Houston. They lost a shingle or two and had a neighbor's tree limb in their front yard, otherwise OK. No power, of course, so they are staying with friends who do have power.

The authorities really were organized for help and effort. Now they are doing their search and rescue work. Deaths so far attributed to the storm are minimal, and thank God for that sort of planning.

Over all, Ike affected the entire Eastern half of this nation. Chicago right now was reporting flooding and rising waters.

The report is that the refineries around Beaumont will be back in full operation in 7 or 8 days. But gas is tight in places, and some are using this to do a little gouging.

And our God is in the heavens and hath done whatsoever He hath pleased. So, we are grateful for His mercy, and thankful for all the help and support we are receiving now.

GPD 9/15/08