Wanderlost
Texas Hill Country
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Joined: 10/29/2004
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So today we finally got some communication from TCC. They sent us statements and requested payment. Hello? They still have our RV!!! I sent an email reminding them they still have the RV, it's not finished, and WTH, over? Snort.
It was a lovely, but very hot day. We had a nice breeze, then all of a sudden, a huge gust came out of nowhere. The pool float suddenly went airborne to the east. We went outside to find it and it was nowhere to be found. Not off to the east, anyway. I finally walked west and there it was, downslope on the west side of the pool, under the big live oak. We saw it fly high into the air going east, and never saw the wind whirl it back west. Amazing.
We're under a tropical storm watch. Weather folks will have no real idea of where Harvey will make landfall until late tomorrow or Friday. We're hoping for some rain out of that. If it does decide to stall over us, could be some flooding in the lower areas. We'll just get the swimming pool and garden rainwater barrels filled.
Spotacus played kitty on the wrong side of the door all day. Sigh.
"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." -- Mahatma Gandhi
Czarny, black cat
Rainbow Bridge: Spotacus, Alexander the Grrreat, and so very many more
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Wanderlost
Texas Hill Country
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Joined: 10/29/2004
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Well, Harvey is gonna sit right on top of us and dump rain. So we spent the morning securing everything outside. I'll see if Mom wants to come stay with us, and invited Sister and Nephews, too, as they live in a very low area, where the roads around them flood often.
As we worked outside, it was still and creepily quiet. No doves on the power lines, no vultures soaring, not a single bird singing.
Spotacus was frantic this morning, desperate to stay right beside one of his humans. As we went back and forth, putting away stuff and clearing the little concrete drainage channels to allow water to flow away from the house and garage, he was right there, and talking. Finally wore him out about 1100, so he's completely zonked now.
I'm taking Mom on a couple of errands tomorrow, and will ask if she wants to stay with us. I don't think her IL living place has backup power. If we're going to lose power, our place is the better location.
Besides, we have a generator to keep the food from spoiling, a swimming pool in which we can cool off, and a beautiful view to enjoy.
Back to finishing up the pre-storm chores. Later, y'all.
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Dashonthedash
PA
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Joined: 06/03/2003
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The animals know something is up. Take care and be safe, Regan.
Gary Shapiro
Shadow - 7-year-old Greyhound (aka Shadow Ninja)
Hannah - 4-year-old GSD rescue (aka the Canine Tornado)
Max, Dash (GSDs), Willow, Dot, Allan, Lily (Greyhounds), and Molly(GSD Mix), at the Bridge and in my heart forever
2011 G'town 280DS Class A
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Wanderlost
Texas Hill Country
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Joined: 10/29/2004
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Went to town to get Mom. Since we live up on a hill and the chance of us being flooded are slim and none, it's better to be here. On the way, TX-46 was non-stop traffic heading west. I guess a bunch of folks got off I-10 at Seguin and headed up TX-46. When I turned south on US 281, they all kept going west. Traffic in town wasn't too bad in the morning, although it was heavier than normal at that time of day.
Stopped at a Walmart Supercenter so Mom could pick up her prescription. Not one drop of bottled water anywhere in the store. When we left there, the roads were jammed in town and up US 281 back to TX-46. Lots of folks getting out of the way. Then we stopped at the local lakeside market for a couple small things, water not being one. Not a drop of water and the milk was down to five or six jugs. All kinds of obviously city folk buying up everything -- all those city folk decided to come to their lake homes and annoy the locals.....
Invited Sister and sons and menagerie to join us, since she lives in a low lying area where the roads around her flood with far lighter rainfall amounts than is forecast. At first, she said she'd decide tomorrow. I told her Harvey hits tonight and then it's too late. So she and crowd came up tonight.
She brought one son (oldest is on duty with the TXNG Blackhawk unit, ready to fly SAR and medivac soon as weather allows), two cats and two dogs.
Luckily, while I was poking along on the roads in/around San Antonio (crowded doesn't begin to describe it), Spousal Unit made up a huge pot of beans. I made cornbread, so we ate well tonight -- nothing like comfort food.
Spotacus is not happy. Miss Kit screamed at him (she hates everyone, so that's normal). So Spotacus decided he'd just stay on our bed. Then Miss Kit came into HIS bedroom and screamed at him again. We chased her out. A little later, we'd let Spotacus outside and he wanted back in. Now he meets Monty, who snarls at him. Jeez, a guy can't get a break in his own house. Just talk to the strangers in a friendly way and they all scream at him. So Spotacus is back outside.
Both dogs ran up and down the property until they were exhausted, and they and Nephew 2 are zonked.
Soon as Spotacus comes back inside, think I'll retire, too. Been a long, long day.
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magnusfide
On the Road Again and Again and Again...
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Joined: 10/30/2009
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Praying you all are safe, especially our man Spotacus.
"The only time you should fear cast iron is if your wife is fixin' to hit you with it."-Kent Rollins
First law of science: don't spit into the wind.
Magnus
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Stephany
Brier, WA (just north of Seattle)
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Joined: 12/03/2002
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Sending you wishes for just enough rain and no wind or damage. Hope you hang on tight!
I also hope Spotacus gets extra treats and a whole lot of extra love for putting up with those uncivilized invaders.
Stephany
Stephany & Wally Schneider + 2 grown kids, a ball-obsessed beagle, and a camping cat
2004 Sunnybrook 2850SL
2002 GMC 2500HD Duramax crew cab short bed
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Wanderlost
Texas Hill Country
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Since Harvey decided to go back to sea, then come around a bit northeast of where he first made landfall, the impact here will be later. At the moment, the eye is northwest of Cuero, about 60 miles from San Antonio. The rain bands are coming over us from the northeast, raining sideways. That means we're not getting an accurate rainfall measure in the gauge, so I can only estimate by how full the swimming pool is. Someone needs to invent a rain gauge that orients on the prevailing wind...
Wind gusts are over 50 mph right now, due to increase today.
Meanwhile, Nephew One's sweet greyhound mix, Ruger, just went into our bedroom and goosed Spotacus awake. The result was ugly - for Ruger. I don't think she'll trespass in Spotacus' bedroom again. Ruger actually likes cats, but Spotacus doesn't like cold doggie noses on him when he's sleeping.
Had to take down the hummingbird feeder, and the resident hummer is not happy. However, a big gust just blew it backwards, so I think it's going to stay in the tree now.
Nephew One said they're deploying to Alice. How they expect to fly Blackhawks through these winds is beyond me. Hope saner heads prevail.
Mostly, we're just watching the local news cover the hurricane. Roads are now closing in San Antonio; already had one water-related rescue (hydroplaning accident).
Will post updates periodically, if we have internet. Meanwhile, I'm pulling all songs with the word "rain" in the lyrics into a playlist...
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CA POPPY
Santa Clarita, CA, USA
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Joined: 07/07/2003
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Do you know this song? Kids learn it in kindergarten. "When it's raining rain and people complain and folks don't give a shucks, Don't you yell, just say "Well, lovely weather for ducks!"
p.s.The ducks must be ecstatic where you live!
Judy & Bud (Judy usually the one talking here)
Darcy the Min Pin
2004 Pleasure-Way Excel TD
California poppies in the background
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Wanderlost
Texas Hill Country
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The ducks are most happy, Judy.
Ruger and Yoda are not so happy, though. Poor little doggies don't like being rained on, but want to be outside. Sister's two cats have taken refuge in the spare bedroom, and Spotacus is in our bedroom.
Sister went to Walmart and got a gate, so Spotacus can see us but not have dogs intruding into his domain.
Wind and rainfall are increasing now, as the inner bands get closer. At least it's warm wind and rain...
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magnusfide
On the Road Again and Again and Again...
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Joined: 10/30/2009
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Wanderlost wrote:The ducks are most happy, Judy.
Ruger and Yoda are not so happy, though. Poor little doggies don't like being rained on, but want to be outside. Sister's two cats have taken refuge in the spare bedroom, and Spotacus is in our bedroom.
Sister went to Walmart and got a gate, so Spotacus can see us but not have dogs intruding into his domain.
Wind and rainfall are increasing now, as the inner bands get closer. At least it's warm wind and rain...
The Monarch of the Manor has a good friend in your sister to help fend off those Huns and Visigoths. ![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/biggrin.gif "biggrin")
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