Flood 2.0

We're expecting another flood, this one short notice but I'm not sure it falls under "flash". Everything is up & in the house again. Hopefully come tomorrow morning there's minimal flooding (high tides at 10am & after noon) but we're prepared for the worst.

A date which will live in infamy

To the Congress of the United States:

Yesterday, December 7, 1941 -- a date which will live in infamy -- the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

The United States was at peace with that Nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its Government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to the Secretary of State of form reply to a recent American message. While this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or armed attack.

It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese Government had deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. Very many American lives have been lost. In addition American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.

Yesterday the Japanese Government also launched an attack against Malaya.

Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.

Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam.

Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.

Last night the Japanese attacked Midway Island.

Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our Nation.

As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense.

Always will we remember the character of the onslaught against us.

No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.

I believe I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again.

Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger.

With confidence in our armed forces -- with the unbounded determination of our people -- we will gain the inevitable triumph -- so help us God.

I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December seventh, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.

68 years ago we were sucker punched. 68 years later, we still remember.


Today, when the bell tolls again, remember those young men & women who withstood the onslaught of hate & terror. Who got themselves up, bandaged their wounds, buried their dead, & fought with a righteous anger against an aggressor without the intestinal wherewithal to fight fair. A bully is a bully, no matter what their size. Their hallmarks are to strike in the dark, attack civilians, & lay waste without thought to the costs in innocent lives. We've fought bullies before, we fight bullies now & I have no doubt that they will soon meet the same fate which is far more merciful than that which they gave out.

Update

New recipes (yesh, plural) on my Recipe Blog. Happy Thanksgiving y'all!

Oh, yesh, there's some slated for posting each day this week until Thanksgiving as a means to use those turkey left-overs.

Nov 2009 Flood

We're fine. We've gotten past the worst of it. We had power & water the whole time, but we're flooded in. The house is dry and has been that way the whole time. The garage is a different story.

As the flood started, generally what happens when it rains here. Nothing big but we were already prepping.

The first high tide - 11/12 Nov
That gray shape in the upper-left corner is the garden shed. It sits outside the garage, by the side of the driveway. It will make another appearance soon.


The back yard








The garage
That big gray thing is the garden shed. It was trying to float away with everything in it (minus the mower & weedeater we'd already taken out to keep dry). We floated it into the garage instead. That was interesting to say the least.




The BIG high tide - 12Nov
Inside the garage again. Contrast with above to see the water difference in level & filthiness. Yeck!






The steps down from the house into the garage. Poquoson was severely damaged by Isabel when she tore through a few years ago so every building in town was raised off the foundation. We're a good 4 feet from the water to the actual hose so we were quite dry.

The cinder block line is the height of the water when Isabel came through, & the height the house was raised because of it. We were 1 full block short of that line, a good 9" or so.

Outside
The garage door half under water. Just means 1/2 is above water! It could be worse!
That black to white line is actually where the house proper is. Everything black is the cinder blocks. Everything white is the actual floor level for the house. Well above the water line.


The front steps - 4 of them lost to the water


Off the front porch into what was the yard but is now a small pond


13 Nov
Outside in the backyard


I did notice the squirrels (and maybe some birds) have found that there is still food in their feeder. At least that means some of them made it through as over the fence is a garden of creatures. Glad to know some of them will be back again when it dries out a little.








Down the back steps - at least now you can see the ground!


Out the front side of the house
Where the garden shed belongs, but not where it is!






We now know where in the garage we can start installing more (& bigger) shelves & hooks to put things on. The high water mark if you will. All the stuff that moved is in the sun room/dining room. We'll get a high pressure washer & scrub down the walls & floor & outside of the house before moving anything back in. I see this as a blessing of sorts. We stayed dry & we now know we planned well & can build on that planning for the future.

Happy Veteran's Day

Thanks to all my readers who have served, or are serving. You deserve more than 1 day a year to hear THANK YOU!

Happy Birthday

234 years young, and still the pride of the American people & the scourge of those who seek her destruction. Happy Birthday Marines! OORAH!

Sad Day

Ft. Hood, largest military base on the planet, was attacked by one of its own. Ft Hood, shocked & in mourning & looking for answers to a horrible massacre at the hands of a mass murderer.


For my non-Texans, Ft Hood is the big ol red dot between San Antonio & Dallas. I find it only a little odd that Austin isn't found on that map. Killeen is also not on the map & it sits right outside Ft. Hood.


Yesterday was a terrible day, but I hope today begins the upward climb to recovery for those injured, healing for those mourning, & punishment for those guilty of such deprived acts of cold-blooded murder on unarmed men & women preparing to deploy in the service of their nation.

These will be challenging times ahead for III Corps & all her units (including) First Army Division West, 1st Cavalry Division, 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment, 41st Fires Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command, 504th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, & the 89th Military Police Brigade.

Soldiers Angels have set up a collection drive for those wounded & the children of those present.

RIGHT NOW: Collecting encouraging notes and NEW stuffed animals for the families and children of the injured or killed. Please send cards/letters and stuffed animals (and anything NEW that may brighten the life of a child) to:
Soldiers' Angels
4408 PanAm Expressway
San Antonio, TX 78218

If you can give your life blood for those men & women who give you theirs, please DONATE! The local hospitals have an urgent need for more blood. Even hospitals as far afield as Ft. Worth have sent blood & must replenish their stocks so if you can, give blood today.


Don't forget to fly her at Half Staff until Sunday, by order of the Governor & common sense & decency.