Speculating

It's Friday I think. Hurricane Rita (lovely metermaid?) is scheduled to hit on Saturday and that's tomorrow so today must be Friday. See, I've got it all together (Wishful thinking? A necessary anxiety-lowering delusion?). David and I are safe and comfortable in Dallas. We drove from Beaumont once worst of traffic problems had (we thought) been alleviated somewhat. We chose a route that seemed promising for forward movement. We moved, albeit slowly, up the eastern border of Texas to I-20 then drove 150 miles to a hotel which is booked solid, like all others along our route (thanks to David's dad who, from California, secured us this gorgeous hotel room to hunker down in). 340 mile trip took 13 hours (normal route/traffic would take about 4-5 hours). We've been amusing ourselves best we can with music and impromptu word games. Now exploring possibilities for semblance of normalcy for one day in Dallas. Unpacked groceries and books, computers etc into hotel room. They brought us a mini fridge for the cheese and fruit we brought along. Tonight we went out and had a yummy dinner at Avila's on Maple (recommended). Tomorrow we'll check on hurricane, adjust plans accordingly, then settle in for normal work stuff.

I love the response we've gotten from family and friends, concerned for our well being and safety. I draw energy and feelings of safety from the many calls and emails we have received. Alas, I feel bad reporting that we are currently calm and finding ways to be sane and normal. We are letting nature take its course and hoping for the best. Over the last few days as we prepared the house for possible storm approach, I never wavered from my belief that all would work out okay. Operating from another perspective would paralyze me. I work from known facts, not speculation. Speculation makes me anxious.

Here's what I expect to happen:
* definite power outages, for up to a week. Our power is sensitive under normal storm conditions; we've had lengthy outages in the past and this is unlikely to be significantly worse. (knock on wood)
* our street will flood, probably rising as high up as a third of the driveway. We've had flooding before from the torrential rains that last days, filling the myriad drainage ditches that cross the city. The backyard can take a lot of water--it flows out across yards and becomes a lake.
* small and medium size tree limbs will fall. Again, this happens under normal storm conditions. We had two trees removed in July. Remaining trees in yard (4 oaks, 1 pine, 1 magnolia) will do what they must. Odds are they will fall away from house. (knock on wood)

Right now we are safe and comfortable. We have a car full of important documents, food, water, bedding, mementos, computers and cell phones, fresh baked cookies (mmm, Mrs. Fields recipe chocolate chip augmented by pecans and ground flaxseed), and a faithful traveling companion (aka Pavel). Hope for the best. (My knuckles hurt from all the knocking on wood I've been doing.) We'll keep you posted.