Post by Liz on Sept 17, 2008 14:55:44 GMT -5
Hey y'all.
Man, it is good to be back "home" with you!
I have had plenty of time to think and ruminate about this whole experience and just have a little to share so maybe someone else will benefit.
Firstly, I agree with Kip that we need a 911 network of some sort to be able to check in or check on each other. It meant so much to hear from Jan and Janene that others were ok--or that others were still worried about Catherine.
Second, I will be writing letters to all the public servants in our area and urge you to do the same regarding the infrastructure:
Fact One-when FEMA comes in all cell companies donate/sell lines, space, and service to them. This is another reason we have had no connectivity---the federal govt needs its own service bandwidth, so ours does not get hijacked.
Second, there exists the ability to text (uses a different bandwidth than cell useage), but who can you text to report lines down or a gas leak or an emergency? NO ONE! I believe they need dedicated text lines, just as some lines can receive faxes or phone calls--they should have a text line as well. I had to text a friend in Fla to have her call the electric company and report our lines down. What a weird thing!
Third, there is NO way to find out what is going on in our own community--we can get the Houston, Galveston, etc news and reports, but for our county and school district the information dissemination has been pathetic. I hope to change all these in our community and you all to do the same before you need it!
Also I thought I would list the Top Eleven things to have on hand in an emergency! (not really in any order, and certainly only my opinion!)
1) Generator with septic and well hook up
2) Old glass thermos to keep coffee hot
3) Blackberry or other textable cell phone
4) Cow in milk!
5) Weather/AM/FM radio
6) extra candles, lanterns, or solar lights (my mom uses the solar yard lights in a vase to read by)
7) Extra batteries
8) Gas cans and gas--keep full always! (use and replace throughout the year)
9) Propane/gas water heater/stove top and oven or gas grill--what a blessing these were!
10) Attitude for optimism and common sense. If you have your life, all the rest will work out.
11) Laptop and "air card" or broadband card so you are not ever tied to a landline that can go down.
Here is a pic of the hummers the afternoon the storm started coming in (Friday), they were feeding like crazy!
The tree and power lines across the drive:
The chicken barn:
The main barn:
The cows are fine!:
Many drowned bees:
We really, really, came out ok. We have a lot of work to do, but doesn't everyone hurricane or no? All our people and animals are ok (one missing barn kitty), and the weather has been glorious.
The whole population is a little short on patience so I will just keep reminding myself that these are the times that inner character and strength (and funny family stories) come from.
Again, I am thankful for our cow family, a source of strength, love, kindness during all of life's storms!
Man, it is good to be back "home" with you!
I have had plenty of time to think and ruminate about this whole experience and just have a little to share so maybe someone else will benefit.
Firstly, I agree with Kip that we need a 911 network of some sort to be able to check in or check on each other. It meant so much to hear from Jan and Janene that others were ok--or that others were still worried about Catherine.
Second, I will be writing letters to all the public servants in our area and urge you to do the same regarding the infrastructure:
Fact One-when FEMA comes in all cell companies donate/sell lines, space, and service to them. This is another reason we have had no connectivity---the federal govt needs its own service bandwidth, so ours does not get hijacked.
Second, there exists the ability to text (uses a different bandwidth than cell useage), but who can you text to report lines down or a gas leak or an emergency? NO ONE! I believe they need dedicated text lines, just as some lines can receive faxes or phone calls--they should have a text line as well. I had to text a friend in Fla to have her call the electric company and report our lines down. What a weird thing!
Third, there is NO way to find out what is going on in our own community--we can get the Houston, Galveston, etc news and reports, but for our county and school district the information dissemination has been pathetic. I hope to change all these in our community and you all to do the same before you need it!
Also I thought I would list the Top Eleven things to have on hand in an emergency! (not really in any order, and certainly only my opinion!)
1) Generator with septic and well hook up
2) Old glass thermos to keep coffee hot
3) Blackberry or other textable cell phone
4) Cow in milk!
5) Weather/AM/FM radio
6) extra candles, lanterns, or solar lights (my mom uses the solar yard lights in a vase to read by)
7) Extra batteries
8) Gas cans and gas--keep full always! (use and replace throughout the year)
9) Propane/gas water heater/stove top and oven or gas grill--what a blessing these were!
10) Attitude for optimism and common sense. If you have your life, all the rest will work out.
11) Laptop and "air card" or broadband card so you are not ever tied to a landline that can go down.
Here is a pic of the hummers the afternoon the storm started coming in (Friday), they were feeding like crazy!
The tree and power lines across the drive:
The chicken barn:
The main barn:
The cows are fine!:
Many drowned bees:
We really, really, came out ok. We have a lot of work to do, but doesn't everyone hurricane or no? All our people and animals are ok (one missing barn kitty), and the weather has been glorious.
The whole population is a little short on patience so I will just keep reminding myself that these are the times that inner character and strength (and funny family stories) come from.
Again, I am thankful for our cow family, a source of strength, love, kindness during all of life's storms!
... so at least I am back at work ;D and bringing home the the bacon bits!
