Hello, friends! It’s your girl, reporting live from a new TJMaxx jumpsuit in a friend’s dining room in Houston, TX. Turns out the tiny bag of motorcycle clothes doesn’t translate well into life as a hurricane evacuee but thank goodness for a debit card and a discount store.
Welcome to another fine Sunday in the world.
This week so many of us got blown around and flooded by Madame Hurricane Ida, and wow she was a doozy. I was just coming back from my most epic motorcycle road trip with Will as I was trying to decide whether or not to fly back to New Orleans to evacuate Tron, or fly back to New Orleans to weather the storm with Tron, or rely on my trusted house sitters and neighbors. As with storms though, you make a decision with the information you have and then the information changes and you have less time to react.
That’s always the way and even still I feel like I didn’t react quickly enough. Tron weathered the storm on his own. My roof held. My backyard might need a cleanup crew with chain saws. I’ll miss this mural. Hindsight is 20/20 and I’m sitting with the lessons. Baton down the hatches, get thy stuff and go.
Here I am in Houston. Thankful, safe, well cared for by Will, his family, and our friends. Tron was cared for my a rotating cast of incredible neighbors before he made his great escape with two people and two other cats a few days after the storm.
Power is out across the city- has been for days but it’s slowly returning. The levees held. The city will slowly come back to life as she always does. I’ll miss this mural. Places outside the city were devastated but maybe you’ve never heard of La Place, Houma, or Jefferson parish. So many parts of the fabric of southern Louisiana were affected but don’t splash across the news like another storm in the city of New Orleans on the sixteenth anniversary of Katrina.
If you’re so inclined to donate to organizations with boots on the ground I can suggest Cajun Navy, Feed The Second Line, and United Houma Nation.
I’m afraid I don’t have links for you this week. I’m writing this very post from my iPhone which is more computer than phone but still not totally idea for this kind of work. My world has felt small this past week with texts about the contentsof my fridge to discard and friends scattered across east Texas and Birmingham. I’m filled with gratitude though!
I did just want to make sure that I said hello and wished you well today.
My prayer this weekend is for everyone affected by Ida. My neighbors in Louisiana and our friends in the north east who didn’t know she was such a beast until it was too late. I pray for fortitude.
Have a wonderful weekend. Take it all the way easy. Oh! Weren’t our guest posts from Toby and Kim the last two weeks just wonderful? Let’s do more of that.
Enjoy the last unofficial weekend of summer. I’ll see you next week with more. We’re going full-on autumn this September. I’m ready for it. You?
My love to you.
Xo Joy
ps. Please forgive me if there are more typos than usual in this post.
Sherry Parfait
Thank you for including the United Houma Nation, Joy. I am a member of the Houma tribe, and I appreciate your help with spreading the word for our people. – Sherry Parfait
Laura
I am so glad that you and Tron are both safe. I did wonder how you were doing and hoped for the best. I’m sorry you are going through this evacuation. Lots of love to you Joy!
Brianne
As a Katrina evacuee, those three words took my breath away (in a good way). The Levees Held. So so thankful.
Dottie
Hi Joy. So glad that you, Will and Tron are okay. I’m so sorry for all of the folks in the South and Northeast who were hit so hard by the storm. This has been a tough season of hurricanes, fires, tornados and earthquakes.
Be well and get home safely.
Sami
So much love to you Joy. Your soul is so beautiful. I’m so grateful to you for sharing your life with us. Keeping you and all of Louisiana in my prayers.
Laurrn
Joy, I’m so glad that you, Tron, and Will are okay. Thank you for this post (and links to donate) and thank you for embodying your name even in crappy times. Y’all are in my prayers.
Lauren
ACK. Lauren not Laurrn. Phones, man.
Sally Hirst
It’s only reading this that I now associate you more firmly with where you live. I’m so glad you’re safe, and that you still have a house and a neighborhood. That you can get round to blogging is a tribute to your resilience. Stay safe. We’ll be here when you have time to write.
Jenny
I’m glad you and Tron are ok, sending you all the love and calming thoughts and energy when you’re able to return and recover.
Raluca
So glad you are ok! Been thinking about you ever since I first heart about Ida hitting New Orleans. Hope you get your home (and garden) back soon!
Donna L.
Glad you’re safe, Joy! May fortitude and strength serve you well. Prayers and hope for all those impacted, especially in the locations which do not splash across the news.
Reannon
Take care Joy xx
Ania
Thank you for checking in, Joy.
My heart aches for all affected by Ida and all I keep thinking about is how I wish I could be there now to offer hands on support. I miss my soul place every day and keep it in my dreams and prayers always.
I really need to get myself a New Orleanian husband ;)
Sending love your way!
Trish
Joy, I am so glad that you and Tron are both safe. Please be kind to yourself about your decision.
Thank you for providing links so we can give to those in need. I haven’t forgotten how kind you were to me and fellow Texans during the winter storm.
Be safe and enjoy the warmth and comfort of loved ones.