Hello all. Sorry, no pics tonight. I will put some video up tomorrow of some of the cleanup (I realize I left the cable and charger elsewhere and can't get it as it is after curfew). At first there was a lot of debris, it was cleaned, then many came home and emptied / gutted their homes and the streets filled up even worse. The estimates are now coming in. 6 to 8 weeks for the hospitals, 3 to 6 months for individual houses (that were severely affected), 6 to 9 months for apartment complexes (many are repairing all units). I am gutting my ground level. The monstrous trucks that are clearing the debris will be here for 18 to 24 months.
Last night I spent the first night at home, here again tonight. We are having terrific weather. Warm, but not hot during the day and cool at night. Really nice to sleep without AC going. I have a generator going powering ventilation equipment and to run this computer (listening to veep debate on battery powered radio, will watch some website tv later). Today got a little buggy about working inside the house so raked and swept the dried muck and piled it up for collection. Back in the mine tomorrow.
At home the best things have been a small ac fan and a battery fan (the radio and fan are part of a product line that uses the same batteries a group of tools use. Rechargeable stuff works very well as there is usually power somewhere not too far away and you can recharge the batteries at least at night and get some work done with those tools (there is alot of manual labor to be done regardless). Another thing that is great is a headband that has three LEDs on it and with 3 AAAs it lasts 50+ hours. Very bright and easy to use as it is obviously hands free. Another thing that is more along the morale line is powdered diet drinks. The sweeteners dissolve even in cold water. You will drink lots and lots of water. Between working / sweating and meals there is a lot of water. A lot. I usually drink water and iced tea and occasionally diet sodas. Enough to give a bit of variety. Both the half gallon sized powdered drink tubs and the individual "sticks" give a little something of interest.
Having said that I am thrilled to be supported by a system that can swoop into a disaster area and support it with ice / water / food, free laundry (thanks Tide), medical services, communication services (Army National Guard - Signal Corps, Oklahoma), and many others. If I have left you / your group out, please leave a comment!
Last night and tonight there is a gorgeous waxing moon, and when travelling provides a wonderful accent to a dark island. The stars are amazing without the usual light pollution around.
Please remember now and in the future, you are not alone. Help yourself, help your friends and neighbors.
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