FLOODED (Darolyn Butler-Dial forwarded post)

["guest@endurance.net" <guest@endurance.net>]

Barb Peck bpeck@together.net
Barb Peck
bpeck@together.net

I don't normally forward posts from other lists without
permission form the author, but am breaking my rule for this one.

And incredible story from Darolyn about the flooding in
East Texas from the 1st hurricane of the season:

  Darolyn Butler-Dial <darolyn@s...>
Date:  Mon Jun 11, 2001  4:08 am
Subject:  Flooded

 
Hi All,

Only time for a very quick note as the electricity is probably going down
anytime.  Got back as quick as I could from speaking engagement at TETRA
convention when we heard it was flooding here.

Houston's been truly smashed... got home at 2:30 AM & all horses except for
2 ponies, a four year old, and one unidentified gray, which I didn't spot
until 8;30 this AM were already out.

The cops/firefighters had insisted everyone evac about 1:30 AM... when Mark
& I drove up & found out there were horses still here & the saddles hadn't
been moved up to the deck, we decided to swim out. Mark's leg started 
cramping & he went back... I had the swim of my life....literally, The 
English Channel will be next... should be a snap...
good thing I used to swim.... trouble is I haven't done much swimming in the
last few years... thanks goodness I've been trimmin' & ridin' a lot & in
pretty good shape & I needed every ounce of it to fight the current & pull
myself along the fence line.

Yes... I did question my sanity a time or so... especially after loading &
floating thru the bunk house (two at a time) dodging floating sofas & bunk
beds all 40 saddles from the tack room... must admit, left 1 stonewall, an
old western & a kids saddle.... did get that ugly skinny cat though... &
twice... she really resisted the boat ride.  Discovered two horses at the N.
end of the house & they seemed content to stand there so I finished doing
the saddles.  The bunk house front door was lodged shut after the piano
floated cracked up & jammed against the front door... got the window up but
couldn't get the screen up so tore it out & had to go in & out the window
those some 25 trips... my legs are goina be bad...  it was daylight by then,
& the horses were shivering,, & the water was deeper.... I laid a strip of
carpet on the deck stairs & (thank God they're both small), led them to the
1st landing.... now please God... don't let me have to lead them all the way
up...

Trying to salvage what I can from the garage... thank goodness there was
some not too wet dog food, it was on something that floated & cat food
too... the horses had dog food for breakfast...  

Well, don't call me today or probably tomorrow unless you can bring a boat over
so Mark & help can get here to bring me water & more help & company.

I'm hoping the water doesn't rise too much more & I think I will be safe
enough... but I sure could use a hand & it's much, much too deep to swim now...

Love everyone,
thanks for your calls & concern....
The Unsinkable.
djbd
Darolyn Butler-Dial  & Mark Dial  (COWBOY)
Ph:  281 446 7232    darolyn @ swbell.net         
http://home.swbell.net/darolyn/