Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Memento (272/366)





My boss and coworker were aghast that I didn't take a picture of the delivery truck, or of myself driving it - other than that artsy one of my foot and the steering wheel - so that we'd have something to remember this adventure by.  So today I went back to the grocery store and crouched down in the parking lot to take a photo of the truck itself.  Some grocery store staff taking their break at the front looked at me awful funny, but I got it.


Monday, September 29, 2008

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Everything you Own (270/366)




On the street


or muddy beyond recognition -


how do you keep faith?


Saturday, September 27, 2008

Friday, September 26, 2008

Delivery Truck (268/366)




Okay - so this was totally exciting.  The owner of a local grocery store called our office today, wanting to donate a load of bleach, through us, to various communities in our area.  Cleaning up from a hurricane is a long process, and nobody will ever say no to another bottle of bleach to stave off mold and mildew and get the walls, floors, and dishes smelling fresh again instead of like marsh mud.  But, in order to receive the bleach, we had to find someone to pick the pallets up and deliver them by the next morning.  We could use the grocery store's truck, but we had to supply the driver.  
   
I found a couple of churches who were willing to serve as distribution points, but there was not enough time to find volunteers to drive the delivery truck.  I thought about it for a minute - could the load wait until Monday, perhaps?  And then I took the plunge.  I called our donor back, and I volunteered.

Twenty minutes later, I found myself behind the wheel of a bouncy, boxy, grocery store truck, peering down at the road from my perch.  The pallets of bleach thumped behind me as I meandered down country roads, past cane fields and shrimp boats.  At my last stop, a fire station, the fire chief and his family and the two firemen on duty got a laugh out of my arrival.  "You drove dat big truck down here yourself?" the chief asked. "No. You didn't. You couldn't have."

The last pallet unpacked and unloaded, I chatted with the firefighters for a few minutes and then headed back up the road.  The sun was low, and the trees and the water glowed pink.  I rolled down my windows and let the air blow across my cheeks and into my hair.


Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Safety in Buckets (262/366)






These two hurricanes have washed a lot of animals out of their homes.  I always imagine animals having a sixth sense that lets them know when a storm is brewing, even without the benefit of the National Weather Service.  I thought that they knew how to get out of danger's way, to evacuate to higher ground or at least take cover.   But in the aftermath of the storm, I've been surprised to see many hurt and disoriented animals.   This little turtle was wandering across the road today; a fellow volunteer scooped him up and made an alternative use for a Red Cross bucket.  I picked him up and held him for a minute;  I was surprised at how strong his legs were as he pushed them against my fingers.



Friday, September 19, 2008

Puppy Love (261/366)





I couldn't get a single shot of this puppy that wasn't blurry!  


Monday, September 15, 2008

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Pitching In (258/366)












The clouds, having turned inside out, have gone.

Hand in hand, we step out of the water into the sun.


Friday, September 12, 2008

Prepared for Any Contingency ... (256/366)




... including two hurricanes in two weeks.  Just the way my Dad would like it, if he were here.


Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Are You Kidding Me?!? (254/366)




Aww, man!  I bit my nails for fourteen innings, only to be met with the acrid taste of defeat and disappointment.  It was so close, Mostest Favoritest of All Time Sports Team!  All you had to do was keep the other team from scoring a three-run home run!  Dastardly!


Tuesday, September 9, 2008

A Day's Work (253/366)




He was picking up slabs of tin roofing that had blown into the field after the storm and collecting it into neat piles, stacked along the edges. He dragged the tin away from where it had fallen and folded it, jumping on the pieces, crumpling them down. Hating his job, he swore at the tin. His legs were bleeding, and the sun was hot.


Saturday, September 6, 2008

Take a Bow (250/366)




This pine tree snapped in half!


Friday, September 5, 2008

Yikes! (249/366)




You'd think a tornado had been through here or - oh, that's what that black cloud was.


Thursday, September 4, 2008

Springer Spaniel (248/366)





Exhausted from digging, collecting sticks, thinking about drinking from the pool, listening for cars, running about the yard, and doing all the things dogs do, my cousin's pet takes a well-deserved nap.


Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Sweetness and Lace (247/366)




Hurray! A dear friend has just gotten engaged, and today was the day we looked at wedding dresses. She looked beautiful, of course. Here's to many years of happiness for the lucky couple! :)


Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Night Game (246/366)




The fog really sets the stage for drama, doesn't it?


Monday, September 1, 2008