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The NCTE Orbis Pictus Award was established in 1989 for promoting and recognizing excellence in the writing of nonfiction for children. The name Orbis Pictus, commemorates the work of Johannes Amos Comenius, Orbis Pictus—The World in Pictures (1657), considered to be the first book actually planned for children. (from the NCTE website)
Drowned City: Hurricane Katrina & New Orleans is a spare, but powerful graphic novel account of the tragedy that befell the City of New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. Don Brown researches and illustrates Drowned City in his usual fashion. It has extensive Source Notes and a corresponding Bibliography. Every direct quote is sourced. The illustrations are serious and in muted colors to accurately convey the gravity of the events; but they are sufficiently vague to spare the individual horror experienced by victims, survivors, and rescuers. As he has done with other topics, Don Brown creates a focused, accurate, and powerful story - suitable for visual learners and for readers in a wide age range.
Other Hurricane Katrina books reviewed on this site:
There are many types of storms, including thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes, and blizzards. Caused by extremes in weather, storms can cause severe damage. But extremes are not limited to storms. Weather conditions such as too little or too much precipitation can result in drought or flood. Extremely high temperatures can cause a heat wave. Whatever the condition, extreme weather is something meteorologists work hard to predict so that lives and property can be protected.
Here is a list of books that focuses on storms and other conditions caused by extreme weather conditions.
Nonfiction Picture Books
The Big Rivers: The Missouri, the Mississippi, and the Ohio (1997, OP), written and illustrated by Bruce Hiscock - In a text that combines history, geography and science, Hiscock describes the flooding of the upper Mississippi in 1993, while explaining what a river basin is, how it works as part of the water cycle, and how the system of dams and levees failed on this occasion.
The Big Storm (2008), written and illustrated by Bruce Hiscock - This book follows the course of one large weather system as it travels across the United States. Hiscock carefully chronicles a large springtime storm in 1982 as it moves from rain in the Pacific Northwest, to a blizzard in the Sierras, to tornadoes and hail in the Texas plains, and finally to New York City where it becomes a blizzard. As the storm rolls on, readers learn about weather forecasting, how storms are formed, and how they travel.
Blizzard!: The Storm That Changed America (2006), written by Jim Murphy - The great blizzard of 1888 changed the way we respond to storms. Using personal recollections as well as newspapers, photographs, and sketches made by news artists during the storm, Murphy takes readers into the unfolding blizzard and its aftermath. As a result of this storm, legislation was passed in New York to clean up the city, bury wires, build the subway, and more. Back matter includes a six page narrative discussion of notes on sources and related reading material.
Flood: Wrestling With the Mississippi (1996, OP), written by Patricia Lauber - This National Geographic photo-essay describes the flooding of the Mississippi in 1993 with a focus on more on the underlying causes of the flooding.
The Great American Dust Bowl (2013), written and illustrated by Don Brown - This graphic novel is a masterpiece of history and science, weaving together sourced facts in an accurate historical narrative. Brown uses words from primary source materials to explain how the heartland of America became a vast barren plain, citing drought, the Depression, the loss of bison, and more. Includes scientific explanations for the dust storms as well as first hand accounts. Back matter includes a selected bibliography and source notes.
National Geographic Readers: Storms (2009), written by Miriam Goin - This Level 1 reader introduces the basics of weather and then goes on to describe a variety of storms, including thunder and lightning, hailstorm, sandstorm, blizzard, monsoon, and others. Back matter includes a glossary.
Rising Waters: A Book About Floods (2005), written by Rick Thomas and illustrated by Denise Shea - This book in the Amazing Science series describes the causes and effects of flooding. Back matter includes a glossary and helpful print and web resources.
Sizzle!: A Book About Heat Waves (2005), written by Rick Thomas and illustrated by Denise Shea - This book in the Amazing Science series describes what a heat wave is and how it affects living things in rural and urban areas. Back matter includes a glossary and helpful print and web resources.
Storms (1992), written by Seymour Simon - In stunning pictures and clear and engaging text, Simon provides clear explanations of various storm types, how they form, and how destructive they can be.
Whiteout!: A Book About Blizzards (2005), written by Rick Thomas and illustrated by Denise Shea - What happens when snow is falling and wind is blowing? Readers will learn the answer to this question and more as they read about the conditions often found during a blizzard, include including whiteouts, strong winds, snowdrifts, and wind chills.
Flash, Crash, Rumble, and Roll(1999), written by Franklyn Branley and illustrated by True Kelley - This book in the Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series focuses on thunder and lightning. Back matter includes 2 simple experiments and additional resource suggestions for learning more.
Lightning! (2006), written by Seymour Simon - With stunning pictures and clear engaging text, Simon describes how and why lightning occurs, different types of lightning, how scientists study it, how to stay safe during an electrical storm, and more.
Lightning, Hurricanes, and Blizzards: The Science of Storms (2010), written by Paul Fleisher - At nearly 50 pages, this book is filled with information about storms. It opens by explaining that "Storms are the most dramatic weather events." Five chapters include: (1) air masses, weather fronts, and mid-altitude cyclones; (2) thunderstorms; (3) tornadoes; (4) hurricanes; and (5) other storms. Back matter includes a glossary, selected bibliography, further reading, and web sites.
Nature's Fireworks: A Book About Lightning (2003), written by Josepha Sherman and illustrated by Omarr Wesley - This book in the Amazing Science series describes the different ways lightning is created and what makes it flash across the sky. Back matter includes a glossary and helpful print and web resources.
Our Wonderful Weather: Thunderstorms (2014), written by Valerie Bodden - Using beautiful photos and clear, concise text, Bodden describes what thunderstorms are, the relationship of thunder and lightning, kinds of thunderstorms, and more. Back matter includes a glossary, titles for learning more, and helpful web sites.
Rumble, Boom!: A Book About Thunderstorms (2005), written by Rick Thomas and illustrated by Denise Shea - This book in the Amazing Science series describes how thunderstorms form. Also included is information on phenomena such as thunder, lightning, storm cells, downdrafts, super cells, and more. Back matter includes a glossary and helpful print and web resources.
Before moving on to books about tornadoes and hurricanes, let's take a quick break to watch this terrific little Peep and the Big Wide World video on stormy weather.
Do Tornadoes Really Twist? (2000), written by Melvin and Gilda Berger and illustrated by Higgins Bond - In an engaging question and answer format, this book provides a good introduction to tornadoes and hurricanes. Illustrations, diagrams and maps accompany clearly written and engaging text.
Our Wonderful Weather: Tornadoes (2014), written by Valerie Bodden - Using beautiful photos and clear, concise text, Bodden describes what tornadoes are, their shapes and sizes, how they are measured, and more. Back matter includes a glossary, titles for learning more, and helpful web sites.
Tornado! The Story Behind these Twisting, Turning, Spinning, and Spiraling Storms (2011), written by Judy and Dennis Fradin - This National Geographic Kids book includes amazing photographs and a wealth of information on how tornadoes form and are categorized, their destructive power, information on storms of note, and more.
Tornado Alert (1990), written by Franklyn Branley and illustrated by Giulio Maestro - This book in the Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series describes how, where, and when tornadoes happen and what to do during a tornado.
Tornadoes (2001), written by Seymour Simon - In stunning pictures and clear and engaging text, Simon provides a comprehensive look at tornadoes, including how they form, where they occur, and how they are studied.
Tornadoes! (2012), written by Marcie Aboff and illustrated by Aleksandar Sotirovski - This graphic novel uses text and illustrations to explain how tornadoes form, how they are measured, and how to stay safe during one.
Tornadoes! (2010), written and illustrated by Gail Gibbons - In this book, Gibbons uses text and images to help readers understand how tornadoes form, how they are classified, where they typically appear, safety procedures during a storm, and much more.
Twisters: A Book About Tornadoes (2005), written by Rick Thomas and illustrated by Denise Shea - This book in the Amazing Science series describes how tornadoes form and provides explanations updrafts, downdrafts, thunderstorms, rotation, and funnel clouds. Back matter includes a glossary and helpful print and web resources.
Eye of the Storm: A Book About Hurricanes (2005), written by Rick Thomas and illustrated by Denise Shea - This book in the Amazing Science series describes how hurricanes form, what tropical storms are, and how storm surges occur. Back matter includes a glossary and helpful print and web resources.
Hurricanes (2007), written by Seymour Simon - With incredible photographs clear and concise text, Simon provides readers with an in-depth look at one of nature's most terrifying storm types: the hurricane. Included is information on how hurricanes develop, how they are studied, and safety measures for those faced with such a storm.
Hurricanes! (2012), written by Marcie Aboff and illustrated by Aleksandar Sotirovski - This graphic novel uses text and illustrations to explain how hurricanes form, how they are named and measured, and how to stay safe during one.
Hurricanes! (2010), written and illustrated by Gail Gibbons - In this book, Gibbons presents information about hurricanes in a kid-friendly manner using a combination of engaging water-color illustrations and simple text. Included are facts about the different types of hurricanes, where they occur, how meteorologists predict them, and more.
Our Wonderful Weather: Hurricanes (2014), written by Valerie Bodden - Using beautiful photos and clear, concise text, Bodden describes what tornadoes are, how they are measured, they eye of the storm, and more. Back matter includes a glossary, titles for learning more, and helpful web sites.
Flood (2013), written and illustrated by Alvaro Villa - This wordless picture book tells the story of the natural destruction that flooding can cause. Readers follow a family as they prepare for a storm, head to higher ground, and return to see the devastation brought by flood waters. Despite their despair at seeing their damaged home, the family rebuilds.
Hurricane!(2008), written and illustrated by Celia Godkin - In a beautifully illustrated book, readers learn how coastal Florida has adapted to seasonal storms. With an eye to the flora and fauna, Godkin shows and tells readers how the opossum, fiddler crab, manatee, and many others (including humans), weather the storm.
The Magic School Bus Inside a Hurricane (1996), written by Joanna Cole and illustrated by Bruce Degen - Miss Frizzle leave on a field to visit a weather station, but of course, a great deal happens before they actually get there. The bus turns into a hot air balloon and rises into the sky. Once Ms. Frizzle hears a hurricane watch is in effect, they head south to the equator where the students watch the birth of a hurricane. Included is a great deal of information on how hurricanes form, their effects, and other tidbits on a range of weather-related topics.
Thunderstorm (2013), written and illustrated by Arthur Geisert - The illustrations for this wordless picture book were created in one 415 inch long panorama that beautifully details the effects of a passing storm and shows how a farm family and various animals weather the storm. The passing storm inflicts real damage, but Geisert wraps things ups by showing the community getting down to the work of repair once the skies clear.
Online Resources For additional resources, consider these sites.
The National Center for Atmospheric Research has a kids site with a series of pages on dangerous weather.
National Geographic has a nice page devoted to extreme weather on our planet. You'll also find a terrific set of introductory videos on several extreme weather events here.
Surviving the Dust Bowl is a PBS film that tells the story of the farmers who came to the Southern Plains of Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas dreaming of prosperity, and lived through ten years of drought, dust, disease and death.
Ready.Gov: Kids provides information to help families prepare for emergencies caused by extreme weather events such as tornadoes, hurricanes, and floods.
Sky Diary KidStorm provides information about tornadoes, lightning, hurricanes, and storm chasing.
The KidsAhead site has a page devoted to extreme weather such as hurricanes and tornadoes that includes activities, articles, and more.
I Came From the Water Vanita Oelschlager, author Mike Blanc, illustrator 4 Stars ………………………………….. I Came from Water (subtitled), One Haitian Boy’s Incredible Tale of Survival, is a story based on true events, told from the viewpoint of a surviving child. Moses was an infant when floods destroyed his hometown killing many people, including his [...]
I made a discovery during my committee tenure last year about books I love. There are books with chops where I delight in the use of language, setting, characterization et cetera, and then there are heartsong books. You know, those books that you wax poetic about...the ones that speak to you? And every so often, these two things collide into a book that you know will remain a favourite for all of your days.
This is what Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage is to me.
"Trouble cruised into Tupelo Landing at exactly seven minutes past noon on Wednesday, the third of June, flashing a gold badge and driving a Chevy Impala the color of dirt." (p. 1) Tupelo landing is where Moses (Mo) LoBeau ended up after her mother strapped her to a make shift raft during a hurricane. She came to stay with Miss Lana and the Colonel and helped them run their cafe. When local oldie Mr. Jesse turns up dead, Tupelo Landing turns upside down, with Mo and bestfriend Dale smack in the middle of everything, due to a little bit of borrowing of Jesse's rowboat.
Turnage has managed to pack an awful lot of goodness into this one including a twisty turny mystery, unforgetable characters, family heart-ache, strong girl-boy friendship and memorable turns of phrase. It is a book that will have readers laughing, wondering and feeling sad in turn.
I was lucky enough to meet Sheila Turnage at ALA in Anaheim and she said that Mo just kept talking to her. She wanted her story told. I'm awfully glad Turnage listened to her!
0 Comments on Three Times Lucky, by Sheila Turnage as of 1/1/1900
Woods, Brenda. 2011. Saint Louis Armstrong Beach. New York: Nancy Paulsen (Penguin Group)
It's hard to believe that I'm labeling a book about Hurricane Katrina "historical fiction," but to middle-grade readers, that's exactly what it is. While memories of Katrina are still fresh in the minds of New Orleans and Gulf Coast residents, 2005 is a lifetime ago for a 5th grader, born in 2001.
This first-person fictionalized account of 11-year-old Saint Louis Armstrong Beach (named for his grandfather King Saint and the famous trumpeter), tells the brief story of the run-up to Hurricane Katrina, the storm (in which he is trapped with an elderly neighbor), and its aftermath. With freakish good luck and a family with money and decent jobs, Saint will fare better than many, if not most, New Orleanians actually did. However, Saint Louis Armstrong Beach: A Novel (a boy, a dog, and the hurricane that almost separated them) serves as an excellent middle-grade introduction to this important page in American history. The plight of the less fortunate provides a backdrop for Saint's story. When he wonders why others are not evacuating to shelter in other cities, his father reminds him that not all people can leave,
"And who's gonna pay for that? Some people got no jobs, others got no money, and when I say no money ... I mean no money. Some people got nuthin' except the clothes on their backs, Saint." "Money's real important, huh?" "Yep, but what you do with it is even more important. Most a the people who claim money's not important are folks who have plenty of it. You remember that."
If it's a tad didactic and Saint is a tad too saintly, so be it. Sometimes we need the obvious lesson. A short (136 pages) and accessible book for young readers. Light on scientific information, pair this one with an appropriate nonfiction title.
Brenda Woods is a Coretta Scott King Honor Award winner for The Red Rose Box.
They say I was born with a caul, a skin netting covering my face like a glove. My mother died birthing me. I would've died, too, if Mama Ya-Ya hadn't sliced the bloody membrane from my face. I let out a wail when she parted the caul, letting in first air, first light.
Ninth Ward is a story of hope, love, endurance, and survival. Just a few weeks before Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, Lanesha, our young heroine, turns twelve. While she is beloved by her grandmother--Mama Ya-Ya--Lanesha does not have many friends her own age. They've heard there is something different about her. That she can see the dead. Lanesha tries to make the best of it. Not that it is easy. But she tries. For they do speak the truth. Lanesha can see ghosts--her mother's ghost remains behind.
Ninth Ward is an emotional coming-of-age novel about family and friendship, about life and death, love and loss. It's a strong novel--one I won't be forgetting. It's a novel that I would definitely recommend!
In the United States, June first is the official beginning of the hurricane season. For most people around the world this does not mean anything, but for many men, women, and children, hurricane season is a time of uncertainty.
I never dreamed that I would ever experience a hurricane, but in 2003 I was in my home in Virginia when hurricane Isabel blew through, and it was a humbling and terrifying experience. At that time my husband was travelling and I was alone on our farm - in the middle of nowhere - with my three year old daughter. The storm hit in the early evening and we lost power soon after. Elise and I camped out in my bedroom with books, candles to read by, and all the animals. I was very worried about our biggest dog, Skye, because she usually became a nervous wreck during storms. However on this occasion she stood by the bed and guarded us - all night long. I remember listening as the eye of the hurricane passed over us and all was quiet for a time. Then the storm resumed and shrieking winds shook the house once more.
In the morning I could not open the front door at first. There were so many branches and other debris piled up against the door that it was hard to get the door to move. Eventually we were able to get out onto the front porch and we saw drifts of leaves and twigs all over the place. Luckily the tree branches that did snap did not fall on the house. We were very lucky to come through it with almost no damage at all. Many other home owners were not so lucky.
The biggest problem we had was not having power. This not only meant no electricity, but it also meant that we had no water because the well pump ran on electricity. So, several times a day I had to lift the cement lid off the well head and use a bucket on a rope to get water for us to wash in. We were lucky because it only took three days to get our power back. Some families in nearby Richmond had to wait for weeks.
I had a terrible time finding food for us to eat because most shops were closed and because so many roads were impassable, like the one in the picture above. Everything that we had in the fridge was spoiled and had to be thrown away. Elise and I ate a lot of bread with peanut butter! When the power came back on I danced around the house with joy and relief.
It's 1965 in New Orleans. Seven-year old Kenny and his six-year old sister Allison build a tree house in their back yard. The tree house becomes their fort and they become king and queen. In it they play without invasion from grownups; they enjoy the hot summers and sip limonade under the branches to escape the heat... nothing can lure them down, not even delicious peanut butter and sliced banana sandwiches.
All is fine until one terrible day when a monster attacks them: Hurricane Betsy. Together with their parents, Kenny and Allison must evacuate immediately. Kenny is afraid for his tree house, so before they go to the shelter, he gets his tools and puts some extra nails into the boards. Then they stay in the shelter until it's safe to go back home. However, nothing prepares the children to what they see when they get back home...
Years pass and the story moves to the present, where Kenny, now a grown man, builds another tree house, this time for his sons.
I survived hurricane Ike and all I got was this lousy blog post.
But I think the devastation wrought on the Gulf Coast last weekend deserves more than a flippant opening. It deserves a more thoughtful sort of commentary, especially since so many in the area are still suffering. Especially since that suffering is not about to go away.
Instead, I'm going to talk about some of the things I learned from my first true hurricane experience.
1. Family is precious. I spent my sleepless hours before and during the storm texting weather updates to my parents. (This will be the one and only time I ever thank AT&T because I never lost cell service.)
2. Friends are also precious. Although my apartment wasn't in an evacuated zone, I fled to my dear friend's home in Katy on Thursday night. She and her husband and two kids fed and sheltered me until my apartment regained power and water on Monday night.
3. There is strength in numbers. I wasn't their only refugee. On Sunday night, their home hosted a dinner including me, my friend, her husband, their two kids, her mother- and father-in-law, two of their close friends who have three kids of their own. It was a ... rambunctious (and relief-filled) night.
4. Mother Nature always wins. No matter how hard you plan, how safe you think you are, she will always toss you something completely unexpected. Like a Category 2 storm with a Category 4 storm surge. Every time we try to classify or outwit her, she proves her power.
5. The past was not romantic. It was dark, dank and sweaty. After only 22 hours without power, my friend and I were whining like we'd just crossed the Prairie in a wagon train. (Although I bet those women never complained about anything.) Just imagine the families that are still without power. And those who will not be getting power for up to a month or more.
6. Infrastructure is amazing. The city of Houston, Harris County, and the surrounding cities and counties seem to be doing a terrific job of coordinating relief and recovery efforts. FEMA PODs (Points of Distribution) seem to be up and running with moderate wait times. Power is slowly but surely returning to the 2.3 million customers who were cut off in the storm. Debris removal is underway in critical areas. Rescues continue. Government (like people) may not be perfect, but it can be comforting in a time of crisis.
7. Fear blooms in the absence of knowledge. I fled to my friend's house a day early because my internet (my main connection to the outside world) started acting up. 24-hour coverage on local channels as well as simulcasting on radio for those who lost power was a godsend in the dark of the storm. Listening KHOU and KRBE on my emergency weather radio kept me sane that night.
8. Battered but not beaten. The Texas Gulf Coast took a catastrophic hit in the early hours of Saturday, September 13. But the Texas spirit lives. Life goes on. My friend's baby turned one on Saturday. His first birthday party had to be postponed because of the storm. Instead, our little household joined the neighboring family for an air-conditioned celebration at a miraculously open restaurant. An $8.99 cake from Kroger's and an all-you-can-eat buffet may not have been his mom's idea of an ideal birthday, but we were safe, we were with friends, and we made the most of what we had. There will be a lot of that going on in the coming weeks.
Want to help? The Red Cross is operating shelters and provides a registration service, Safe and Well, that allows family members to tell their loved ones they are okay. Donations to the Greater Houston Red Cross will be put to good use.
My stomach was in knots all weekend not knowing how you and Sharie were doing. I'm so glad that everyone came through it okay. The devastation is heartbreaking. I can't imagine your house and belongings being washed away. I'm just thankful that the people of Texas had warning so that most could evaluate, and the loss of life, while still tragic, was minimal compared to what it could have been.
Isn't it strange that it sometimes take events like this to remind of the simple truths; family and friends are blessings, there is goodness in all people, and we, as people, are a resilient bunch! My 10 years in Florida gave me AMPLE opportunities to witness this first hand.
Glad to know that you and "S" made it through the storm! I was on the phone to my parents trying to convince them to head out of Katy and get to Austin. Good thing that they were only out of power for about 12 hours. But they don't have internet yet!
Scary, scary, stuff, TLC, but as always, I am impressed with your strength, depth and positive attitude. Thanks for sharing your experience and these pictures. (Especially the one of the woman looking at the wall of water--whoa!)
I continue to be full admiration for the people of the great state of Texas. Ike has knocked trees into homes, pummeled the power grid and pushed too much water into neighborhoods and cities. Whole neighborhoods on the coast have been washed away.
Still, people band together to help one another. Neighbors help spread tarps over roofs, they chop up fallen trees, they bring food to first responders who have run short of supplies at their deployment points. They pull people out of flooded cars (what were they thinking when they decided they could "make it" through that underpass is another question.) They offer their generator power to neighbors to keep refrigerators and freezers running.
Our block came out en mass to start the clean up Saturday afternoon. A neighbor we do not know began moving from yard to yard with his lawn mower and grass catcher to help "vacuum" up the leaves and twigs that carpeted the lawns. He saved us hours of raking time.
We still managed to fill 16 trash bags with broken tree branches, leaves and debris. As we raked and shoveled-up the mess I noticed leaves from trees that are nowhere near my house. The sides of our home are covered with minute shreds of leaves that had been flattened against the siding.
The return of power to our neighborhood was greeted with a cheers and celebratory dances. Alas, I have heard from friends just a few blocks away who still do not have power. It is interesting to realize how patchwork the power grid is.
We have invited them here if they need it. Happily a cool front has blown in and lifted the humidity. School is out until Wed., that is IF they can restore power at those schools that are without it right now.
Still, we were soooo... lucky. Other folks between here and the Bolivar Peninsula are having a rough time. Help is on hand but to repair and restore will take time and so much work.
Bless their hearts.
3 Comments on Hurricane: Ike, last added: 9/17/2008
So, this past weekend, I was busy trying to survive my first hurricane. I've been living in Houston most of my life (24 of my 32 years) and have never encountered a the force that is...the hurricane. The year before we moved here, Houston and Galveston were devastated by Hurricane Alicia (1983). Rita, a 'cane people thought for sure was going to hit Houston, only ended up hitting surrounding cities like Beaumont. Gustav, earlier this month, skipped H-town, also. We were affected by Allison (2001?), but that was a tropical storm. That leaves, Hurricane Ike.
I know I was a little nervous about what would happen. Friday, we continued to prepare and make sure everything was ready while watching the news. We watched as the waves crashed over Galveston's Seawall, built to protect Galveston. Seeing the water go over the seawall hours before Ike was to hit was enough to convince me that Ike was something serious. I'd heard that the 'cane was almost the size of Texas!
We started getting wind Friday evening. A little before midnight, the winds picked up. We fell asleep for about 2 hours, then woke up at about 2:30 a.m. The hurricane had hit, and boy, did we feel it. There's a pine tree in our front yard (in front of my bedroom window, by the way). As the winds blew, the pine tree bent here and there. We thought for sure that it wouldn't last; that it would snap and fall. I was a little nervous because if the tree were to fall backward, it would crash into my room and if it were to fall to the left, it would crash on our cars. But it's still standing, thank God. The electricity went out at about 1:00 a.m., so, we had flashlights and candles. My mom, dad, sis, and I just listened (and sometimes watched) as the hurricane did its job. No electricity = no air conditioner, so, we were hot throughout the day. At one point, when we were sure it was safe, we opened the windows to let the wind blow (this was after we were sure Ike was gone). Eventually, that wasn't enough. I feel for those who are still out of electricity. Ours came back on at about 4:00 p.m. Saturday afternoon. Some of our neighbors and family members are still without electricity.
When we rode around to see what Ike had done, we realized just how blessed we were. The only damage we'd gotten was part of the backyard fence being knocked down.
We went around the neighborhood and saw people with most of their fence damaged, shingles torn off the roof, trees (I'm not talking about small trees either) knocked down. One person had a damaged car because the basketball goal had fallen on it. We had lots of shingles in our yard (front and back), but the shingles did not belong to us. Our roof survived. The roof of the person who lived behind us had damage. This is a short vid I took while riding around the neighborhood.
I realize that my fam and I were blessed. We've only got a damaged fence. It could've been a whole lot worse. Our house could've ended up like so many of our neighbors' houses or, worse, like those who live in Galveston. We didn't lose anyone to Hurricane Ike and our house was not flooded. I am truly blessed. Those who were devastated by Hurricane Ike are in my prayers. Kinda makes me feel grateful for what I have and appreciate it more.
0 Comments on Surviving Hurricane Ike as of 9/14/2008 8:38:00 PM
3. 7th Anniversary of 9/11: Really, this whole country was affected, but not everyone was directly affected (didn't lose loved ones in the planes, twin towers, or Pentagon). This year, I decided to just say a little prayer to God for the continued strength of those who lost loved ones. I opted not to watch the shows that replay the images of that day. In the past, every time I watched the shows, my heart hurt. Listening to the frantic calls of the ones who didn't make it...seeing the towers fall...looking at the big hole in the Pentagon...learning that the passengers in United 93 decided to do something about the hijackers...I just didn't want to do it this year (watch the shows). The images are already forever etched into my brains. To me, it was the day America learned that she was not untouchable. I will NEVER forget that day - couldn't, even if I wanted to.
4. 12th Anniversary of Tupac's Death: Tomorrow, September 13th, will mark the 12th anniversary of Tupac's death. I felt it (in my heart) when I'd heard that he was gone, like, is this some kind of sick joke? He's not really dead...is he? And now, some magazine has listed Tupac as the most overrated person in music (link: http://news.yahoo.com/story//nm/20080903/music_nm/overrated_dc)! I mean, come on, really? I have to admit, I'd gotten tired of the "Tupac's really alive" comments that circled around since his death, BUT, to say he's overrated, in IMHO, is just plain...dumb. Pac is one of the best. His death didn't stop that. Now, he's not my all time favorite rapper (Nope, Jay Z has that title), but he is in my top 5. Overrated? I don't think so!
And last, but certainly not least,
5. Hurricane Ike: So, we're preparing for Hurricane Ike right now. It hasn't even made landfall yet, but Galveston is already having flooding issues. The waves have started crashing over the sea wall, built to protect Galveston from hurricanes. They've predicted that, after all is said and done, Galveston will be under water. I'm in Houston, which means we won't get the storm surge, but we will get the wind and rain (and, in some areas, the flooding). Thankfully, I don't live in an area that has bad flooding. We're just concerned with the wind and electricity going out. The reporters are comparing this hurricane with Hurricane Alicia, which devastated both Houston and Galveston in 1983. This is going to be weird for me. I've never been in a hurricane - always had the threat, like H. Rita - but never been in one. Hurricane Alicia hit here a year before we moved to Houston and Hurricane Rita skipped our area (although one of our windows blew out) and hit the areas about an hour or more away. My family's preparing, though. Got the food, batteries, gas, etc. The 'cane isn't set to hit 'til early tomorrow morning, but the sky's getting a little darker, and the wind is picking up on what would normally be a scorching, sunny day. My prayer is for all of us, especially those who have homes in Galveston. And, can you believe that there are still some people who refuse to leave? I'm not talking about people who can't leave. I'm talking about those who can leave, but are refusing to. Everyone (Galveston's mayor, reporters) is saying how imperative it is that they leave (even to the point of saying it's life or death) but they won't. I can't understand that. It's already flooding and Ike hasn't even hit yet. Those waves crashing above the sea wall? About 15 ft. Did I say that Ike hasn't even hit yet?
Galveston Seawall on a good day...see how far the water is?
Galveston Seawall today...15ft waves crashing against the wall.
0 Comments on Rae's Random Thoughts: Part 2 as of 9/12/2008 5:58:00 PM
Dear Ike, Please fizzle away. You've traveled so far. You are tired. I know you feel dizzy from all that swirling about. Really, we all have things to do, places to be and people to see. This really is not a good time.
Begone. Vamoose. Ta-ta! BuhBye!
I'm not kidding.
Move along now, nothing to see here. Submerge and never come back. Thanks.
6 Comments on Hurricane: Ike, last added: 9/12/2008
I'm with you on that. One grandma just got BACK into her house after Gustav; now all the cousins and everyone on the other side of the family in Pensacola are battening down the hatches.
I couldn't live like that every year. I prefer Californian earthquakes...
Hey Sockbug, At least I have some socks to knit. You would be so proud of me! Toe-up, no. 1 needles, sock yarn from a door prize I won when I joined a knitting group this month!!
Sockbug kindly sent me instructions, websites with directions for knitting socks.
I have been writing about caterpillars and chrysalises and butterflies in my current WIP mystery. Aaron, one of my MC's, is very involved with the process and can tell you anything you want to know about it. In looking for a photo for this post, I found this one, and am wondering what kind of caterpillar was nibbling on THESE leaves.
This weekend, my son and his family moved from one house to another about three miles down the road. That meant we got to have grandson O. for a sleepover. What a voracious reader he is! He read for the whole time we were here, except for about a half hour, when he played computer. He only stopped when we went out to piano lesson and dinner, and then was right back at it again.
On Thursday I went to our local police station to get fingerprinted so I can be a school volunteer at O's school this year. What a lovely experience...had to wait over an hour to get fingerprinted, and then had to PAY for it, all so I can volunteer. It is good that they check people out, but...
Have continued to write regularly on my WIP mystery. The kids ALMOST have the mystery solved now. Sent the first two chapters off to my son to critique, because I want to be sure my MC, who has autism, is authentic and not a stereotype. He gave me several good suggestions, so I have a direction when I get to editing. But that is good...and I will get to it as soon as I finish the story, which should be within a couple of weeks.
After several days of concern over the path of Ike, I think we are out of the woods here in Eastern Florida. We had a little rain from Hannah, so we have been lucky on two counts this week. Thoughts are with any of you who are in Ike's path, and who have had problems from Hannah, too.
Think of the trade winds, steady equatorial air currents, and you might imagine early European explorers drifting across the Atlantic towards a cluster of lush islands strung across the Caribbean Sea like a necklace of pearls. But it is these same winds that also bring an annual average of six hurricanes to this region between June and November—tropical storms that are beginning to make the news once again. In fact, just yesterday, the National Hurricane Center announced that Bertha, the second named storm of the 2008 season, had graduated to Category Three on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. So you’ll want to steer clear of Bertha, but if you’re searching for a “Hurricane Capital,” look no further than Great Abaco Island in the Bahamas; since 1851 it has endured 18 severe hurricanes (Category 3, 4, or 5) and 40 altogether which works out to about one every four years.
In her newest historical romance, Garwood takes us to the Scottish Highlands where a beautiful girl is about to be wronged and avenged. Princess Gabrielle of St. Biel has led a life of privilege and when it is time for her to marry, she does so willingly and happily. But her husband is murdered on the eve of her wedding and a few days later she is branded as a whore. When she is banished from all she holds dear she is not fearful, but soon fate hands her a new deck. She will stay in the home of Colm MacHugh and he will marry her. She is, of course, at first resistant, but, again of course, comes to love him. Meanwhile, there are evil men afoot intent on doing Gabrielle harm. Her new protector saves the day and all live happily ever after. Typical historical romance, but that is exactly what I like about it. You know exactly what you are going to get.
0 Comments on Shadow Music by Julie Garwood as of 1/1/1990
is stuck between a rock and a hard place. At first feted because many believe her family will be showered with land and titles by the king, Abrielle is hard put to decide if all the young men want her for her money or herself, but when the king does not grant her family anything, soon Abrielle is left without a suitor in sight. It depends on her, however, to save her family from ruin; even if it means marrying a despicable man in order to do it. Then there is Raven Seaburn, a mesmerizing Scott who occupies too much of her mind. There is the usual cross purposes where she doesn’t think he likes her and he thinks she wants to marry the other man. But after a few deaths, war, and some talking all is made right. This is an engrossing novel and shows the time period without relying too heavily on the history aspect. while elements of the time are incorporated into it, the story does not revolve around the politics of the time.
0 Comments on Everlasting by Kathlenn E. Woodiwiss as of 1/1/1990
The National Council of Teachers of English recently named Drowned City: Hurricane Katrina & New Orleans by Don Brown (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2015) the winner of its prestigious Orbis Pictus Award.
In her newest historical romance, Garwood takes us to the Scottish Highlands where a beautiful girl is about to be wronged and avenged. Princess Gabrielle of St. Biel has led a life of privilege and when it is time for her to marry, she does so willingly and happily. But her husband is murdered on the eve of her wedding and a few days later she is branded as a whore. When she is banished from all she holds dear she is not fearful, but soon fate hands her a new deck. She will stay in the home of Colm MacHugh and he will marry her. She is, of course, at first resistant, but, again of course, comes to love him. Meanwhile, there are evil men afoot intent on doing Gabrielle harm. Her new protector saves the day and all live happily ever after. Typical historical romance, but that is exactly what I like about it. You know exactly what you are going to get. 
is stuck between a rock and a hard place. At first feted because many believe her family will be showered with land and titles by the king, Abrielle is hard put to decide if all the young men want her for her money or herself, but when the king does not grant her family anything, soon Abrielle is left without a suitor in sight. It depends on her, however, to save her family from ruin; even if it means marrying a despicable man in order to do it. Then there is Raven Seaburn, a mesmerizing Scott who occupies too much of her mind. There is the usual cross purposes where she doesn’t think he likes her and he thinks she wants to marry the other man. But after a few deaths, war, and some talking all is made right. This is an engrossing novel and shows the time period without relying too heavily on the history aspect. while elements of the time are incorporated into it, the story does not revolve around the politics of the time. 
I've never heard of this one before but I really want to read it after reading your review.