oyster50: Blog

While we're on the way to recovery here in the aftermath of Hurricane Laura, I feel compelled to do another hurricane aftermath story.

So meet Laura. And John. Unfortunate waif. Nice guy benefactor. And we're off to see what happens, aren't we?

going on the second week of playing 'musical hotels'. We're a mere hour and a half drive from home, just outside the devastated areas, and have been begging to extend a stay in a hotel that's 100% booked, many of whom are like us - refugees.

The office where I work is going back on line. We're supplied electricity an industrial facility fed by a major electrical transmission substation. One of the first steps in power restoration after a hurricane is restoring the transmission system and we're a beneficiary.

As far as living quarters like 'home', the best I'll be able to do is a generator big enough to feed a window AC unit and to run a refrigerator. That, along with running water, makes a 'home' again. That's my plans for the next couple of days.

As far as writing, one - take my own advice. I should've had the house that Dan had when he rescued Nikki. Two - I just posted Chapter 10 of Benjamanda. I'm undecided as to whether or not to end it there. Maybe a couple more chapters? Third - go figure! Another hurricane evacuation and Dorable's telling me that she has another 'waif in trouble' story.

Drove to the house today. It's dry, just a bit of roof damage on one corner, other cosmetic things, but it survived. The cats are disturbed, but they'll get over it.

Me, however... Utility company says 2-3 weeks to get lights back. The storm took out both transmission and distribution systems, so they have to get the transmission system back up first, then they can get to putting lights on in the area.

Between us and East Texas, there are 800,000 customers in the dark, and that includes a lot of heavy industry, including my employer.

To the hundred of you who sent good wishes and prayers, you have my deepest thanks. Thank, friends!

Oyster

Hurricane Laura's going to run right over the top of my homestead, with us under the actual eye of a Category 4 storm.

Might not have a house left in the morning.

I'm safe, elsewhere.

So we're a few chapters into Benjamanda and I've gotten a bunch of comments and a load of email concerning the story as well as the ending of Smart Girls.

Yes, I know that a lot of you were like me, invested in Cindy and the gang. Believe me, I feel your pain. I get tugs. Dorable, my muse, teases me from time to time. We'll see what happens there. A couple of you said I was riding the story into the ground, which is a feeling I got that led to the ending. That' said, the universe is still alive, and I can't say there won't be further episodes tying into it.

With Benjamanda, I wanted something a bit different and I think I got it. Some of you complained about the sex. Hey - new relationship, young protagonists, sex is on the table. Travel will follow. Trust me.

Future? Let's see what Dorable brings me.

And as always, thank you for every comment. I read them all and appreciate them all, even if they're a bit negative. After all, I get more positive comments.

And we're still having fun.