That Which I Greatly Feared

18:20 CST, NW Houston, Texas

Scouting trips.

The reviews are mixed.  Today, I've engaged in two widely divergent scouting journeys, and have met with two wildly different situation reports.

First, I'll tell you a bit of welcome, but humbling good news.  The New Dawn rode out the storm, with nary a nick, scratch or scar. 

Perhaps you can imagine my awe at finding that her portside shroud's turnbuckle had sawn halfway through the 2"x 8" handrail that tops the pilings on my finger-pier.  Yet that did naught but polish the chrome finish on said fitting.

The odds of the New Dawn having fared so very well are quite simply, astronomical.

Belowdecks will require a herculean effort to set aright, as much was tossed from shelving and ship's cupboards.  Yet, in spite of the disarray, nothing was lost, nothing broken.  Not one tiny thing.

My joy lasted the two hours it took to drive back to the LaQuinta, where I embarked on a scouting trip of another kind.

I endeavored to catch up to the portions of the 'net that I call home.  And that which I greatly feared, came to pass.  Not to my house, but upon friend Dale, one of the truly good men in this world.

Further exploring the house, I found that I had water dripping inside from the damaged roof, so I spread some pans around to catch the drips and headed to my office to get a wet-vac and a ladder so I could suck up the water and put one of those blue tarps over the damaged roof.

When I got back, smoke was pouring out of my house. I called 9-1-1 to report the fire. After I finished reporting, I ran to the house to see if I could break in windows to let out my cats, but the smoke and the fierce heat coming off the building were so much that I couldn’t get within a few yards.

I know many of you have stayed with me here, and with the New Dawn as we unwillingly tangoed with Rita's whirling dance up from the Gulf and over the parquet of the rice fields, woodlands and cities of Texas and Louisiana.

I know that more than a few of you had thoughts of what to say banked against the horribly dreaded possibility of consoling me o'er what looked to be the sure loss of my beloved home.

I know that the suffering of my cats as we sojurned North touched hearts; I know their misery touched mine; their relief became that which drove me to arrive safely, no matter the cost. 

Viturally none of my fears have befallen me.  They have though, befallen Dale.  He has lost everything, friends. 

Every.  Thing.

I ask you to take those words, held against the fearful day that for me was not, and to please, go now and give them to Dale.

Mostly Cajun....... tonight, we're All Cajun, and all with you, my friend.

As are my prayers.

Comments

[Rivrdog]

Cap'n, you know Mostly Cajun better than I; I've only just read his blog. You know his need, so I'll defer to your judgement on this one.

I sense that he needs some replacement weapons, which I would be happy to loan out to him. All I need is the addy/name of an FFL he knows and I'll get something shootable going his way.

He can have a Savage/Springfield pump 12ga, cylinder bore, 3" chamber, an SP101 in .38 for carry, and a Win Mdl 70 in .243 for longer range (Micrometer peep sight).

If he perfers something smaller and handier in a shotgun, I have an Oak Leaf single, cut down to 18+ inches, in 20 ga.

Please tender my offer, post haste.

Thanks

[Indigo]

Jim, many prayers for you were answered. I am so grateful This post directed to M.C. will certainly generate more prayers for him. Not to forget prayers of thankfulness for dear Rivrdog. He has been a faithful friend in these terrible times.

[MK]

Jim, glad to see your beloved boat is safe and sound. Proof positive that prayers work miracles. MC sending prayers Texas style to you and yours.

[Tammy]

Jim , Was very nice to get your call and here your voice and to know you are ok!! I Will keep praying for you & cats and your Host Family on your return trips back to your homes, Drive Safe !!

On the same note so sorry to here what happen to your friend Dale

[308Mike]

That's a bummer about Dale. If I didn't have so many bills right now (damn lawyers), I'd drop him a good-sized chunk o' money. I'll see what I can do come payday.

I suspect what happened to Dale is he had water coming in through the roof, and down inside the walls (since he couldn't see the extent of the damage), which caused something to short, creating a hot spot and then the fire.

Hindsight is always 20/20, but to learn what we can about what happened to Dale; if you see that kind of water damage coming down from the roof - and you don't know the extent of it, turn off the electricity until you can get the walls dried out or determine the extent of the damage.

This really sucks. I feel sorry for Dale.

Mike

[308Mike]

Jim,

Perhaps I'm blind, but I couldn't find a PayPal link on his (Dale's) site for donations. Are YOU taking up a collection?

Mike

[Sharon]

Glad ND, cats and you are safe.
Prayers still goin' on for others, including Dale, your host family and some close friends who will have to rebuild.

[Dana]

I am glad everything is okay with you...another answered prayer. As for Dale, I am praying.

[Juliette]

Prayer works. :-D

[texasgardenia]

My prayers go out to Dale. Forces of nature affect us all in some manner. Glad to hear you and kitties are safe.