Harvey Update

We live just NW of Houston so we are in the midst of dealing with the continuing devastation of what is left of Hurricane Harvey. I have been trying to post updates on Facebook when I can. Right now I won't watch the news as I can't deal with the devastation going around me, it just breaks my heart.  And I won't post any images of flooding in my area for the same reason. My anxiety has been sky-high and when Harvey hit as a Cat. 4 I had a panic attack about everyone in that area and thought I might be having a heart attack. Paul has a friend who has a clinic and house in Rockport and thankfully she was able to get out in time.

Thank goodness for meditation apps, Netflix, wine, and a lovely family.

We have had at least 20 inches of rain in our direct area and have a watershed creek at the end of our neighborhood that has flooded the houses near it.  Emergency services can only rescue people in imminent danger, so neighbors are rescuing neighbors. Right now Paul is trying to help our neighbors rescue one family by boat (they are about to get water in their house), but it just started pouring again so I don't know if they can get them out.

From what I am hearing, this is not only the worst flooding to ever hit the Houston area, but possibly the most devastating/expensive natural disaster to hit the US. I feel like crying as I type this.

So far the rain has been spaced out enough here that water has been able to drain away from our house and we live far enough from the creek to not be affected by raising water (as of yet).  And we had no rain for hours last evening and this morning which was a blessing as it allowed much of our standing water to drain away. But as I type this it has been pouring for some time. Paul has no idea if his clinic is safe, but hopefully he will be able to get there in the next few days to check it out.

The storm is supposed to dip south and then head slightly east of us, so they are predicting much more rain (maybe another 15 inches in our area which I can't even think about). I see that Louisiana  is getting really hit right now and I am praying for all of those people.  I hate writing anything right now because I have no idea what the next days will bring. I just keep on reminding myself that houses are fixable, but family is everything and we are all together safely weathering this horrific storm.

Before it started raining this afternoon, I went outside to check the water levels around our house. I noticed that my parsley in my container garden has been completely devoured in a day or two.

We looked closely and found that the parsley is completely covered in what looks like Black Swallowtail caterpillars. I can't believe they haven't washed away. And how can there be 20+ of them in one location?

Mother nature is so devastating at times, but she can be so beautiful.

We are praying for everyone who is living through this storm or has family/friends living in this area. Please stay safe.




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