Pre-Rita.

I didn't do any knitting last night, but I thought some might be interested in a "slice of life" from an area likely to be outside of the affected zone, but close enough that it's a really big deal on the news.

Wednesday night at church, the pastor asked several of us (including the chairman of the congregation) if there would be any objections to us opening the church as a temporary shelter for people who have been driving to get away from the storm, can't drive any more, and can't find a hotel room. He said there would be no more than five families and the Red Cross would provide cots, blankets, and personal-care items.

We said of course. Also a number of us volunteered to cook or help out if needed.

Yesterday afternoon, one of the ladies called me and asked me if I could come down and help cook - people were "expected" around 5 pm. I went down a little early because I was handing off supplies collected for ANOTHER shelter to the rector of the local Episcopal church who was driving them down there. After that, I poked my head in the kitchen to see what was up.

The pastor asked me if I'd be willing to go pick up a "rabbit ears" for the tv - we have a television but in the past have only used it with tapes/dvds so there is no cable hookup in the church and no antenna. So I agreed to run to wal-mart, figuring I could get the camping lantern I was thinking of buying (in case of power outages - at that point they were saying we could get severe thunderstorms).

Wal-mart was insane. I don't remember seeing any Texas-tagged cars in the lot, so I think it was mostly locals, but there were more people there than even on a normal after-work time. The place was jammed. (I knew it, when I had to park - there were NO close places and usually there are a few). Most people were buying batteries, water, and convenience foods. A few were getting board games, coloring books, and crayons too. (I guess their kids always play with video games, and they figured they needed something if the power went out?). I found the antenna, my lantern, and the batteries, and got in line to pay.

It took a really long time, partly because the people ahead of me had >20 items (it was one of those 20 items or less lanes but I've found that NO ONE abides by that) and partly because for some reason they didn't want to take her check. (I was on the verge of offering to pay for the stuff myself, just so I could get out of there).

Got back to the church, set up the antenna.

Around five, everyone else showed up and we started cooking. There were a couple casseroles people had put together, and we made green beans, and salad, and french bread, and there were a couple cakes I frosted, and I made iced tea. (Very interesting - the women were in the kitchen, working away like mad, and the couple men were sitting out watching the local news on tv. In their defense, I will say, if the people showed up, they'd be the ones staying in the church with them over night and I would much rather cook than monitor).

Then, we waited.

And, we waited.

A bit before six someone speculated if we should call the Red Cross to get an ETA on the people.

Then a Red Cross worker showed up with the cots.

We brought them in.

And we waited.

And we waited.

And I started to get hungry - it was now after 6:30, I'd been running around all afternoon, and I hadn't eaten since the yogurt, crackers, and applesauce I ate at noon. I must have looked sort of rugged because several people pushed me to go home and eat (none of us wanted to dip into the food we had prepared lest more people than expected show up). So I left, and only briefly thought of running to the Sonic or somewhere for something. (I had offered to get take out and bring it back, but no one took me up on the offer). I figured I could cook at home just as fast - and more healthfully. So I went home and made a sandwich and had a big salad and a glass of juice and some cookies, and then headed back.

As I was walking up to the church, one of the ladies was driving out. "They gave us the 'stand down' order." she said "No one's coming, at least not this evening."

I don't know if anyone ever arrived. The minister said he would be on-call and would come down to set up and let people in if people needed us.

I guess it's better to be prepared and not need it, than not be prepared and need it, but it's a little...I don't know, frustrating, I guess... to work that hard and that fast and then have it go for nothing. (I suppose if no one shows today, we can take the food down to Families Feeding Families). I know I should be glad - because it means that people probably found family, friends, or hotels to stay at - I'd rather have a private hotel room than sleep on a Red Cross cot in a church basement - but I was all keyed up and there was nowhere for that adrenaline to go.