Notes from the Edge of Evacuation
Sep 07, 2008 in Blogs
Well this past week I sort of slipped off the face of the earth for about eight days.
Being a resident of New Orleans along with scores of others it was suggested “strongly” that we evacuate. Luckily we got out Friday before the mad rush and crunch of traffic. While my time in exile in many ways resembled a vacation, absconding to a lovely house on the lake out in the woods in Northern Louisiana, there is something about having to leave your home and not knowing what’s happening to it that makes your nerves walk the razor’s edge. And of course at times the house was well-stuffed with thirteen people, four dogs, and a cat and occasionally no electricity which didn’t help much.
But of course the question hanging over all our heads was always what would we be returning to. Knock wood there seems to be no greatly consequential damage except some dried out house plants, and a refrigerator of lost food from many days with no electricity and a downed basketball hoop outside.
So how does one pass the time in exile? Hmm.
1. Finally begin to read The Lord of the Rings. Frodo is setting off on his journey to Mordor while I am returning to my Shire. 
2. Learn to knit, somewhat badly. In great need of many more lessons.
3. Play Clue often to the point that you really don’t care who killed Mr. Body, just are very sure he had it coming.
4. Watch a lot of pretty sunsets on the lake– take many many pictures.
5. Do a whole lot of Tarot card readings.
6. And sleep, sleep, sleep. Especially when the electric goes out.
Seems like I should have pulled out a bit of wisdom from the experience. Let’s see be flexible, don’t sweat the small stuff, and how true it is that we’ve no idea what is coming round the corner.
To all those who really had to rough it during evacuation I am sending all my best wishes. And I am so grateful and so happy to be back home.
