Hadn’t planned to take pictures but “force of habit.”

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Saturated soil, all this moisture; very humid.

Lots of them!!

Rather than marathon viewing of aftermath of Hurricane Harvey; I’m watching/listening to endless Sunday sermons.

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“The worst of times brings out the best in people.”

Fund raiser by J.J. Watt.

President Trump said it and I believe it!!

For a week I watched local TV broadcasting; I heard every word of news conferences with Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, and many others. Now I/we (again) have national broadcast news and I’m alarmed by what I’m hearing. Texas officials were cautious with details; national reporters make firm statements!! The “background” film shows local flooding, or fire at Arkema Chemical, but the message is distorted. ~~ If “the media” alters the news about a National disaster, it’s conceivable they are “spinning” details about our President.

“Yours truly” is talked out!! Furthermore, I label myself a “basket case”  (depressed). Less time spent in front of the TV set BUT I have a heavy heart. Gratitude for my many blessings!! 

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Sept. 2, 11:00 AM: Concern from a friend; she encouraged me to read this blog message, and pray this prayer.

Father, forgive me for feeding my ears a diet of negative news. I can see the truth of how it affects me. I want to listen to You, Holy Spirit. I want Your words alone to sway me. I want to fill my mind and my heart with Your words. I will open Your Word and read it daily. I will read it out loud, so my ears hear it and my spirit is fed and my soul is comforted. Let me fast negative news today and see what a difference it makes in my life. Teach me to pray Your life-giving ways into the news that I hear reported in the future, so that I spiritually act, instead of fleshly react. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.

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In my “yarden,” debris, leaves, fallen limbs, etc., but nothing like the mountain of household furnishings, flooring, dry-wall, etc., piling up at the curb of homes in the Houston area–and beyond. ~~ Grateful for my blessings; sad for less-fortunate home owners, and renters.

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is in the history books; the statistics are mind-boggling!!

TV news says 100,000 damaged or destroyed homes in the Houston area. Remember the Kingwood H.E.B. market I mentioned in an earlier message? It was destroyed in the flooding; TV cameras portrayed the disastrous aftermath. The death toll is climbing. Many subdivisions are still flooded. Devastation in Beaumont, Texas, and southwest Louisiana. Now Harvey is dumping heavy rain as far East as “the Carolinas.” ~~ Sunshine and clouds here; the ground is saturated but no standing water. I picked up fallen limbs but will postpone other yard work. ~~ Truth be told (a new favorite comment), I sat in the CARE Center garden for several hours praying for our residents, our volunteers, and Staff. (If I’d stayed at home, I would have been distracted by “projects.”) ~~ It’s one-thirty as I publish this and too hot and humid to work in the yard this afternoon. ~~ I’m grateful because I’m “safe and sound” but several residents have leaks, saturated carpet, etc.