|
|
 |
Monday
March 15, 2010 Since 1922 |
Silver lining still in the dark
By Natalie Whatley
Correspondent Published September 25, 2008 I wish I could think of something besides Hurricane Ike recovery to write about this week. My brain could produce another topic if I were back to living in modern times and didn’t have the constant noise of generators all around me. Basic survival keeps one’s body pretty busy, and my mind is occupied with a daily list of what I must accomplish before Mother Nature turns out the lights.
Unlike many, my family, personal property and residence came through Ike virtually unscathed. Even with weariness increasing as I reach my seventh day without power, I refuse to allow myself to be one bit upset. Pity parties are stopped dead in their tracks by viewing the devastation in our area.
Venturing out for the first time in days, I made a trip Tuesday morning to Food Town on North Main with neighbor Collette Tompkins, and Linda Rowe (Mom, to me) in tow. I was set pretty well in supplies, but I had a gut feeling I didn’t have the intestinal fortitude to dine out of cans long term. I left the store with a couple of prevalent thoughts: First, I couldn’t have been more proud of my fellow shoppers. People were cordial and went out of their way to be patient and cooperative - a sight to behold given stress levels and lack of sleep. Second, I appreciated the employees of Food Town for getting to work and manning the store in spite of what hardships they were also facing.
More normalcy’s were delivered in the form of a newspaper and mail later that afternoon. What a welcomed site they were…further contact from beyond my street. Spotty phone service and a generator even gave me a brief window to go online and procure vital information I had no other way of getting.
I’ve learned generators are wonderful things, and probably play a large role in why I’m able to have a somewhat “glass-half-full” outlook, but there’s a down side. At this point, I would pay a large sum of money for one good night’s sleep – something I haven’t had in a week. Each night, all the neighborhood generators gather for a large party right outside my bedroom window. Mine is put to bed, but the others still want to play. I’ll let you decide if the nocturnal musings of my mind, which include a large number of Harley Davidson motorcycles, are dreams or nightmares.
A vast improvement in post-hurricane life also occurred Thursday when I was notified the city water was cleared for consumption. I may still come down with some dreaded disease as I forgot on a few occasions and wetted my toothbrush with potentially contaminated water. So far, my immune system seems to be holding up.
This week also saw me the proud owner of a new clothes line, and I’m counting my standing trees to hang it from as one of many blessings bestowed upon me in these past few days. Hanging hand-washed laundry out to dry was actually a pleasant experience; it gave me the mental down time necessary to see how my family, friends and neighbors sparkle.
I’ll shine some light on that silver lining as soon as CenterPoint turns my power back on.
Natalie Whatley resides in Baytown with her family. Contact her at ndwhatley(at)verizon.net
Correspondent Published September 25, 2008 I wish I could think of something besides Hurricane Ike recovery to write about this week. My brain could produce another topic if I were back to living in modern times and didn’t have the constant noise of generators all around me. Basic survival keeps one’s body pretty busy, and my mind is occupied with a daily list of what I must accomplish before Mother Nature turns out the lights.
Unlike many, my family, personal property and residence came through Ike virtually unscathed. Even with weariness increasing as I reach my seventh day without power, I refuse to allow myself to be one bit upset. Pity parties are stopped dead in their tracks by viewing the devastation in our area.
Venturing out for the first time in days, I made a trip Tuesday morning to Food Town on North Main with neighbor Collette Tompkins, and Linda Rowe (Mom, to me) in tow. I was set pretty well in supplies, but I had a gut feeling I didn’t have the intestinal fortitude to dine out of cans long term. I left the store with a couple of prevalent thoughts: First, I couldn’t have been more proud of my fellow shoppers. People were cordial and went out of their way to be patient and cooperative - a sight to behold given stress levels and lack of sleep. Second, I appreciated the employees of Food Town for getting to work and manning the store in spite of what hardships they were also facing.
More normalcy’s were delivered in the form of a newspaper and mail later that afternoon. What a welcomed site they were…further contact from beyond my street. Spotty phone service and a generator even gave me a brief window to go online and procure vital information I had no other way of getting.
I’ve learned generators are wonderful things, and probably play a large role in why I’m able to have a somewhat “glass-half-full” outlook, but there’s a down side. At this point, I would pay a large sum of money for one good night’s sleep – something I haven’t had in a week. Each night, all the neighborhood generators gather for a large party right outside my bedroom window. Mine is put to bed, but the others still want to play. I’ll let you decide if the nocturnal musings of my mind, which include a large number of Harley Davidson motorcycles, are dreams or nightmares.
A vast improvement in post-hurricane life also occurred Thursday when I was notified the city water was cleared for consumption. I may still come down with some dreaded disease as I forgot on a few occasions and wetted my toothbrush with potentially contaminated water. So far, my immune system seems to be holding up.
This week also saw me the proud owner of a new clothes line, and I’m counting my standing trees to hang it from as one of many blessings bestowed upon me in these past few days. Hanging hand-washed laundry out to dry was actually a pleasant experience; it gave me the mental down time necessary to see how my family, friends and neighbors sparkle.
I’ll shine some light on that silver lining as soon as CenterPoint turns my power back on.
Natalie Whatley resides in Baytown with her family. Contact her at ndwhatley(at)verizon.net