Stella shares some of her new music, learned in the past few weeks. We are snuggled up watching the weather. Amazing how many nitwits are ignoring warnings down along the bay. Officials are collecting names. Social security numbers and next-of-kin info. The Cost Guard has had to stop flying rescue missions because winds have exceded 40 miles per hour and their choppers can’t fly in that weather.

Ike is about 175 miles off shore and we are doing the final prep for the storm. John filled up our extra water bottle. I brought two full ones of filtered home from the office. I had Mikey and Paula each take one home too.

The deck furniture is all lashed together in the backyard. John’s scout knot tying will be put to the test. Check back tomorrow to see how he did.

Everything that can be picked up has been taken in and out of harm’s way. Wind is beginning to kick up.

This is the official evacuation map of the Houston area. We live just south of I-10 on the west side of Houston. Our home is just west of Beltway-8 on this map. You’ll notice we’re north and west of the evacuation area. The mayor and governor have both said there’s no need to evacuate unless we’re in the designated low areas likely to flood. With a storm surge of 9-25 feet, a wall of water could be driven inland up to a mile. We’re at least 45 miles from any of that–over 60 from the highest risk area.