RITA

I am scared out of my goddamned mind right now!  I just talked to Mama, and she told me that Rita, the next hurricane intended for the USA, will hit in the gulf region.  It is already a category 5 storm, and I have family in the Houston area.  My brother, Johnny, and my cousin Kristie, my aunt Nena and her husband and children all live down in that region.  My aunt Karen and her husband and children (and both aunts have grandchildren, too!).  I am scared out of my fucking wits!!!!!!

I told Mama to tell Johnny to get the fuck out of there.  He told Mama he is going to go stay with a friend who has a sturdier house and if it gets to looking like there will be big trouble, then he’ll headout before it all hits.  I told Mama that was an idiotic notion.  He should pack his shit and come up here NOW.  UPS is closed because of some such shit due to the impending hurricane, so he’s not working, so he should come home NOW NOW NOW goddamnit!!!!!!!

I don’t know what to say for Nena, Karen, and families.  Hell, if they could tolerate it, I’m sure someone in Corsicana or maybe even we here in Waco could put them up as long as needed.

God, please somehow let this one pass, dissipate, whatever.  Don’t let it be like Katrina was, Lord.  Please don’t let it be so bad.  I didn’t focus enough in this diary on Katrina, but I was concerned.  Now I’m fucking terrified.

Betty