LMRC

i was able to speak to mom once more
she, dad, and my sister left about 3
they had a heck of a time getting out of the city
there is still gridlock on I10
i told her i wanted to tell them i love them in case things dont turn out the way i think
i didnt want her last words to me to be something mean
the guilt would surely eat at her for the rest of her life

many thanks to ken for the offer of refuge
it is truly amazing the generosity of people that met only in cyberspace
after this is all over i still hope to meet so many of you

i feel surprisingly calm
and veryveryvery tired
i didnt sleep much last nite and was up early
the constant urging of city, parish, and state officials to evacuate was draining
not to mention the motherly stuff

i have been reading about and hearing about(on tv) the stories of all the people stuck in traffic in texas, those that have run out of gas; the state(texas) has promised to send tankers of gas and to help the stranded motorists but the media claim that this has not happened; to get caught by the storm out in the open like that would be unspeakably horrible

the one thing that has kinda struck a nerve is the governor's request that those not evacuating to please write their social security number in indelible ink on their arm
my neighbor said the forehead would be better

the girls next door arent leaving either, nor is the guy across the street
my friend theresa in georgia called crying
everyone she knows here(she lived here for many years) is staying
she begged me to head to georgia
unfortunately that cant happen on a tank of gas and there isnt much chance of finding more before running out

if i go anywhere at the last minute it will be to meet sweet ken

i'm about to hit the sack
i will update more tomorrow if we still have power
xo
jeff