The days go by and I lose track of what day of the week it is. My compass is the pillbox for my meds. If I remember to take my meds, I can at least know the day of the week.

Screaming ambulances pierce through the generator noise. Hospitals in our area are closed due to damage, and when you live on the bayou, there is one way in and one way out so all ambulances pass our house on the way up the bayou to other hospitals. Sirens, to me, as well as the speed at which they travel, indicate a serious accident or incident. As is my habit, I say a prayer each time one goes by. There have been a lot of Hail Marys this week.

We have sporadic cell phone service and every now and then a picture from friends will come through. All of my friends evacuated and are still gone. Some have been in and out of the area assessing damage before leaving again. I am blessed to have some communication with the outside world. It’s a needed lifeline as the days are long and silent except for sirens and generators. Once our roof was tarped, Jeffery and his crew have been tarping roofs all day, every day, sun up to sundown.

Today we measured for a new roof and tomorrow we will be heading out to order roofing. The trip will take the entire day as the company is a four-hour drive north. It will be good to get away from the chaos for a while. The tarps are up and while they look really nice and blue, they aren’t keeping the rain out. We desperately need a roof if we hope to salvage our home.

The garbage truck just passed, and Jeffery just saw the post lady delivering mail. Thank you, God, for normal things.