I know it's been a coon's age since y'all heard from me, Sheniqua Williams, but I had to write, to let y'all know how I'm faring.

I am still workin' at the beauty shop ("Sheniqua's Beauty Shack", it's called); lovin' it; life is good.  Am able to pay my bills, can't be happier than I am now.

Make that used to, until Hurricane Ike entered the picture.

 For y'see, I'm worried.  Real worried.  Hurricane Ike, a cat-2 (one mile off cat-3 status), is now inland just north of Houston, and it is headin' in this general direction. 

Now, the weather forecasters are sayin' the worst is supposed to be well east of here (like around Paris, Palestine, that area), but we can feel the effects of Ike as it heads northeast towards Arkansas.  Hurricane Ike is quickly expected to weaken, but being a survivor of Katrina three years ago, it still unnerves me whenever I hear of a hurricane hitting the Gulf Coast.

It may be east of us, but it is still too close/close for my liking!

They say Galveston is pretty much underwater, and Houston isn't in much better shape.  Power is out in most areas, and whether there's any loss of life, that is unknown at this time; information is still sketchy at best.

This brings back memories of when I was in Mississippi, in Biloxi, before Katrina chased me out, changed my world as I knew it forever.  I still have nightmares even three years later; every time I hear of a hurricane striking, I become unnerved.  I know of the uncertainties, fears, and terror that these monster killers  can bring.

It's like reawakening old wounds, and I can't handle it right now. 

I just wonder what's up the pike when Ike heads up towards Arkansas.  Here, in Dallas, Texas, we can expect two to four inches of rain, tropical storm force winds, and possibly an isolated tornado or two.  East of here is under a tornado watch, hurricane wind warnings, flash flood watches/warnings:  let's face it--it's a regular mess!!

Don't think I will be sleepin' much tonight, especially when the wind picks up, which it is expected to later today.

I have heard from friends who went through Katrina; some are doin' great; others, not so well.  Some have developed serious health problems, or have even died.  Some are struggling financially or are still livin' in FEMA-issued trailers (or even on the streets).  Me, I'm doin' good, but I think of other friends of mine, and I feel sad, incredibly sad.

I guess you can call me blessed.

That doesn't bring much solace as I think about Ike because friends of mine could be very well again be affected by this hurricane and its ramifications.  I just wonder what's gon' to become of them.

I can't help but worry like this.

I am not goin' to work today; too worried about Ike, and 'sides, my body's killin' me.  I can feel that Ike is due to approach; it's lettin' me know it's not too happy right now.  Today is a two-crutch day; that's how bad I'm hurtin'.

I will be glued to the TV, watchin' all the news reports, to get the latest information about Ike (I've taken to callin' him YIKE!); have to be informed, y'know.  I also will have to shut this down so when the winds start pickin' up, I don't lose my power (or my Internet).  So if y'all don't hear from me for a while, now y'know why.

I will be gettin' back to the news once I scour up somethin' to eat; I'm stahvin'!  I will write again soon; take care and God bless y'all real good!

~Sheniqua Williams. :(

P.S.:  The picture is not of Ike.  It's one I scoured up on the Internet; it's one of Hurricane Opal.  Just thought I'd clear up things a little.  :)