The house is fine. Some of our neighbors were not so lucky. We walked around our neighborhood and could see the high water level on the road by a distinct line of dirt and silt that had been deposited on the portions which were flooded.
Walking around we see entire contents of houses piled on the side of the road, waiting for them to be picked up with construction equipment and taken away by dump trucks.
We still have no power and both of our mobile phones have run out of battery. In the evening, we light the house with candles and go to bed early. The entire contents of our freezer and fridge are lost and we would love to empty them, but our garbage has not been picked up in the past week and there is nowhere to throw it.
The grocery stores have a very small selection of produce available. We cook food on our gas barbecue in the back yard or buy take-out from local businesses that were not affected by the flood. I am happy that the drinking water is still safe and I can heat water on the barbecue to make coffee in the morning.
Things are getting better. The streets are clean. There are scores of volunteers helping out those affected. It is amazing to see the city pull together and put things right.
We are happy and healthy. No need to worry about us. We are just spending the time at home in the quiet and enjoying having a normal life (without power).
My Aunt Jo Ann asked for photos of Gabe, which I have not posted on the blog yet. The best photos I have were taken by my sister-in-law Carol. I stole them from her Facebook page and I hope she doesn't mind me re-using them here. Well done Carol.
Here is one that Mary took of me. She said I look too serious in the photo, but I like it.
3 comments:
You and your family must not have any bones to pick with karma, considering your house was spared! Quite lucky. I would feel very inconvenienced living without electricity, but you are being so resourceful! I would never have thought to boil the water like that to make coffee (and God knows what happens when I don't get my coffee).
Gabe is so adorable! It will be fun to watch him grow up through your blog, just as I've enjoyed your other two little ones.
Joe, thanks for the relative visuals. Definitely helps to understand where you were and now are. Crazy how water will rise. I'm hoping we never see the Columbia that high. Although I suppose it would flood North Portland before it made it through the quarry to our neighborhood. But clearly, surprises occur.
Glad you guys are okay. It's sad to think of people losing so much and having to rebuild.
On a happier note, Gabe is SO cute!! Seriously great pics.
Can't wait to see more of you guys!
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