Tuesday, September 02, 2008

Squishing Back

For my return to the blog I wrote up a long post about Fay, the Tropical Storm that would not Go Away. She blew. She rained. She made the rivers and the lakes overflow. She wore out her welcome and then some. But now that Gustav has hit New Orleans, and Hanna is heading our way, I don't think I'll aggravate the gods of weather by complaining too loudly.

Seriously, it hasn't been all that bad here. Our front yard definitely needed the water, and it's really become kind of picturesque now:



We still can't sit out on the back porch (if it's still there) but the new neighbors have been hanging around the back door:



We've also had some interesting visitors come in from out of town:



(By the way, Mary Stella is probably sitting at her computer right now saying "Hey. Wait a minute. Those dolphins look awfully familiar.")

All kidding aside, the flooding was more of a problem than the storm itself, and that's what left us a bit soggy, but we and our extended families came through all right, and that's the important thing. We're hoping Hanna will pass on by this week, and we're keeping family, friends and the folks who are currently battling Gustav in our thoughts and prayers.

The highlight of my week: my daughter and I rescuing a lovely cocker spaniel who had gotten loose during the storm. We found the terrified little thing dodging cars on one of the worst roads in the county, and when I called to her she came right to me. I would have gone door to door until I found her owners, but I was able to reunite the pup with her family immediately because she was wearing ID tags, which gave her owner's current home address, phone number and vet contact info. Pet ID tags are a wonderful thing, and you can get them made at most pet supply stores.

How are things with you all? Anyone have any news they want to share?

42 comments:

  1. :D

    I was surprised by how miserable and sick of the rain by the end of the week. I don't normally care much if it rains, but it seemed like we were *never* getting a break. That and it being the first week of school probably didn't help.

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  2. ::scratches head::

    Er, English speak I no much.

    Wanna read my book? :D

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  3. Anonymous1:04 AM

    Whew!!! I was getting worried about ya'll! Good to see you safe and helping out our little friends.

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  4. Welcome back, P. I'm trying to sympathize - really I am - but it's difficult coz it's a bewdiful Spring day here. The sun is warm, the flowers is bloomin' and da bees is buzzin'.

    You've got some nice neighbours, though...

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  5. So glad you're back online! The flooding sounded pretty awful. Fingers crossed Hanna misses you and you can finish drying out.

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  6. Just happy you and your family are safe and sound!

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  7. Dolphins might make good neighbours. Not sure about the snake!

    I just got back to this PC after a fortnight in MacLand. Next time I'll take a USB pen with my bookmarks on.

    *waves*

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  8. Glad you and yours pulled through ok. Good for you for rescuing that poor doggie! The snake's one thing (I'm not batting an eyelid there because I live in the tropics) but DOLPHINS? That's just out of this world. Is yours a waterfront property? I'm actually feeling envious of you. Dolphins fascinate me but I've never seen a live one outside of a water park.

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  9. Anonymous7:39 AM

    Okay, seeing this post made my day. Been worrying about you!

    No news right now, but I'm hoping sometime soon.

    And I'm also hoping and praying Gustav and Hanna get the hell out of dodge without much hassle. I've got a loved one who was sent down for emergency assistance and while I admire/respect/know he needs to, I'm worried about him.

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  10. Anonymous8:13 AM

    Glad to see that you're safe. Was worried about you. :)

    Take care!

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  11. Anonymous8:29 AM

    Glad to hear you and yours are safe and your valubles don't sound too damaged. :) If y'all would like to keep specific people in your thoughts and prayers, I have a friend who lives in New Orleans. He evacuated a few days ago, so I know he and his family are safe, but lets hope their valubles are too!

    I also have a friend, a true American hero, who flew down from Las Vegas before Gustav hit. He is there to provide disaster relief as an EMT. It's because of the many people like him that America recovers from things like this. Thank you to all who help serve our country!

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  12. Ahhhhh..

    You and your family are safe and whole. :)

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  13. So happy to have you back! I missed reading your blog.

    News....yes, I have news to share. Reflection's Edge e-zine published one of my short stories. So far, I only have a handful of published stories, so this was exciting.

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  14. SO good to have you back. I'd been visualizing all sorts of dire scenarios at PBW manor.
    I'm with buffysquirrel on the snake. :)

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  15. Terri Brisbin and I were just exchanging emails about you and hoping you were okay.

    Yes, I looked at that photo and said, "That better be an old picture, because if she came down to the Keys and didn't tell me beforehand so that I could show her around Dolphin Research Center and buy her lunch, I'm going to be really upset!"

    Aren't our dolphins the cutest?

    Ok, I'm biased!

    Glad you're back and okay. Yay on rescuing the cocker spaniel. I don't wish ill on anyone but let's all hope that Hanna and Ike exclude Florida from their travel plans.

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  16. Anonymous12:42 PM

    I am with you. I am here in Central FLA and OMG, the mosquitos.... the water.... the heat....and now another storm or 2....

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  17. I'm glad to hear that you and your family faired well through the storm. This is shaping up to be a very active hurricane season. Makes me glad to be in the desert.

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  18. Anonymous1:16 PM

    It's good to have you back and to know you're safe.

    Someone needs to invent a machine that sucks up all the weather stuff and puts it where it will do the most good. (California could have used all the wet stuff to put out our summer of fire.)

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  19. Hey, at least the horses can't reach you this way.

    Interesting new neighbors. I guess you can chalk it all up to climate change and blame it on Al Gore.

    Glad you have neighbors willing to help you keep your heads above water.

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  20. Anonymous1:40 PM

    Your tale of the rescued spaniel was wonderful, and the dolphins in the backyard look like they're happy to be around.

    Glad you're back and you've gotten through the Wrath of Fay.

    Best,

    Doug

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  21. Just glad to hear all are well.

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  22. I can't resist saying that I would flip out and die of happiness if I had dolphin neighbors.

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  23. Glad you are back and everyone is safe. The snake is beautiful and hopefully well fed before petting. : ) I haven't had dolphins in my "yard" since we sold our sailboat years ago---I miss seeing them play.

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  24. Glad to see you back! I was starting to really wonder what happeened.

    I'm throwing a prayer up there for the weather Gods to be gentle.

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  25. Lynn I decided while you were out having fun in the rain to use your Novel Notebook to scratch out an idea I had floating in my head.
    From starting to plot to typing the end of my YA 50,000 word story it took 12 days... oh you are a genius, and I will praise your name forever more. That thing was so easy to write because I followed your set up instructions. It took 3 days to flesh out the characters and plot and setting and then 9 days to write the thing (whilst taking care of 1yr old twins, a three year old destruction machine [my son]and many other distractions).
    I now have the opportunity to pitch to an editor in two weeks (so i'm busy on the edit). When I sell it I'm sending a box of TimTams your way...
    All hail Lynn Viehl!!

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  26. Welcome back! Congrats on the wonderful rescue and minimal damage. :) Hopefully the next round will pass you by!

    Just glad to see you back!

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  27. Oh, SO good to know you're okay, PBW! And I hope the water damage isn't too extensive. Or expensive, for that matter.

    As for anything new, not as of yet. Still doggie-paddling over the bottomless, frigid pool of Query Hell, but hey. We all end up there sometime or another. *panicked look* Don't we??

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  28. Welcome back!
    I would've much preferred pictures of the rescued cocker spaniel to the long slithering thing, ick.
    LOL
    Glad you are safe!

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  29. I love that dolphins make people so happy.

    I particularly love that I get to see them every day.

    It's a big perk of still working a day job.

    I have no wonderful writing or publishing related news to share, but I got a tattoo over the weekend. Does that count?

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  30. Joe wrote: Wanna read my book? :D

    Cada maestrillo tiene su librillo. ;)

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  31. Dawn wrote: Is yours a waterfront property?

    At the moment we have, shall we say, seasonal lakefront property.

    The dolphins pictured in the post actually live in the Keys at the Dolphin Research Center in Marathon. My kids were down there over the summer with their dad and my nephew (from whom I stole the photos.)

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  32. lissalb8 wrote: Thank you to all who help serve our country!

    I second that. :)

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  33. Margaret wrote: Reflection's Edge e-zine published one of my short stories. So far, I only have a handful of published stories, so this was exciting.

    That's terrific news, Margaret, congratulations.

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  34. Mary wrote: Yes, I looked at that photo and said, "That better be an old picture, because if she came down to the Keys and didn't tell me beforehand so that I could show her around Dolphin Research Center and buy her lunch, I'm going to be really upset!"

    My guy and our kids stopped in last month, but I wasn't with them. I did ask them to find you and say hi for me, but when they did my guy said they just missed you. :(

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  35. Anonymous wrote: I am here in Central FLA and OMG, the mosquitos.... the water.... the heat....and now another storm or 2....

    I hear you. This morning I finally shook off my apathy and started restocking the nonperishables and water jugs, and took a couple cases of bottled water over to the church for the folks who are still boiling everything. It's good to get involved in something to help the community if you can; it keeps depression at a minimum, and God knows our neighbors really need it.

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  36. Shawn wrote: Someone needs to invent a machine that sucks up all the weather stuff and puts it where it will do the most good. (California could have used all the wet stuff to put out our summer of fire.)

    Amen. I know Georgia and Florida needed the rain, but not all at once. I'd be happy to share two feet of what we were hit with during Fay with anyone who wants to siphon it out of the state.

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  37. Natalie wrote: I now have the opportunity to pitch to an editor in two weeks (so i'm busy on the edit). When I sell it I'm sending a box of TimTams your way...

    You made my whole week, Natalie, thank you -- and I'll keep my fingers and toes crossed for you. :)

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  38. Dolphins in your backyard! That is so fabulous. I am so envious.

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  39. Mary wrote: I have no wonderful writing or publishing related news to share, but I got a tattoo over the weekend. Does that count?

    Absolutely. Congrats, you brave girl. :)

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  40. I am wading through tons of to-be-answered e-mails, so I hope you all forgive me for speeding through comments today. I appreciate all the lovely welcome-back messages.

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  41. Late to the party as usual. I've been more offline than on lately, but do check in here periodically to see if you're back.

    And you are! Safe and sound!

    Welcome back, chica. Glad you and yours aren't much worse for wear. :-)

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