Not Done Yet

Ok, so I really really hoped that I was done with Ike.  But Ike isn’t done with us yet.  Not by a long shot.  

Partner’s parents, northwest of Houston a couple of hours, experienced Category 1 winds and buckets of rain.  They’re fine.  Their house is fine.  They are among the lucky ones.  

They have been without electricity since early yesterday morning.  Their power company says it’ll be somewhere between five days and two weeks (weeks!) until their power is restored.  Besides lacking the obvious luxuries like fridge and air conditioning, the pump on their well is electric, as is the overflow on their septic tank.  So the less obvious luxuries of bathing and flushing are out for a while.  They can cook on a gas stove, but have no way to keep food very cold.  The local town does have electricity, and the roads are clear and stores and restaurants are open and functional.  We have nonetheless encouraged them to come stay with us for a while.  

Granddad works in the insurance industry, and will likely be busy for the next few… well, for a while.  

On a psychological front, I can’t let go of Ike yet.  I feel compelled to watch as the damage and casualties emerge, knowing full well that one of those splintered homes could have been mine but for a late curve to the north.  I feel compelled to grieve with those who have lost their homes, who may have lost neighbors and loved ones.

I am fine, and lucky, and I know that this second-hand grief will pass.  It will pass for me much more quickly than for those in Houston and Galveston and elsewhere in east Texas and Louisiana.  

I want you to do something for me.  Hug someone you love.  Call a friend you haven’t seen for a while.  Count your blessings.  Do something to help someone.  

The Tour de Chimp

For Immediate Release.  

Originally Patrick was going to walk from Traverse City, Michigan to Chicago, Illinois.  His feet weren’t too happy about that plan, so he shifted gears (pun intended) and is now cycling from Cadillac, Michigan to Chicago, Illinois “to raise awareness about the plight of endangered wild Chimpanzees in Africa” and to raise money for the Jane Goodall Institute.  

Be inspired.  Sponsor Patrick.  Send him a note.  Follow his progress.  

(This is me Being Proud of my brother.)

Walk the Walk

I love my brother.  I want you to love him too. 

PJ, circa 1983

(Dude, I could have shown them the Butt-Crack picture).  

He’s come a long way since that little cowboy.  I’ve taught him everything I could, starting from very early on.  Here I am reading a little Hunter S. Thompson to him and the fam back in the day.

Eglentyne, PJ, Sister-Ours, and the Da, circa. 1980

Seriously, I’m proud of him.  He’s a creative thinker and he’s full of love and humor.  

Go here and read about this crazy thing he is doing.  Then, stop thinking it’s crazy, and do what you can to help him along in his quest.  We all have something that we love and are passionate about.   Explore his cause.  Send him a note.  Buy some of his stuff.  Make a donation.  Meet him in Chicago.  Whatever works for you.    

Love, Eglentyne (Pan Eglentina)

P.S. The chimps and the bonobos will thank you someday.  

P.P.S.  When you’re finished feeling the love, go here and  chuckle at the absurdity.  

P.P.P.S.R.C.Q.  I have totally stolen several rhetorical moves from my brother in this post.  I told you I loved him.