Gustav (they're pronouncing it goose-tav) is just beginning to cross Cuba, and the place here is emptying out.

I can well understand people in New Orleans, especially people west of New Orleans "heading for the hills," but the streets of Slidell were sparsely populated this afternoon. Walgreen's closed at 2 PM. The Rite-Aid was still open, so I could get some more batteries (it was easier to buy more than check what I have around the house--and I have a battery-operated fan) and a couple of other things. They were selling milk and ice cream for half price.

PJ's was very definitely open. They were boarding up the windows, but still serving coffee and other goodies. They had a special--free coffee when you bought a muffin. They plan to be open tomorrow also.

I chatted a bit with someone I've know from there for quite a few years, and he said he and his family were staying.

When I got home I talked with my neighbor, and they are definitely staying also. I'll probably go over there if I get lonely. They have a huge bunch of cats and a young dog. They told their neighbor on the other side they'd watch his dog, which he is leaving behind while he takes off. Terry (neighbor) said that as soon as he's gone they plan to bring the dog over to their house.

I'm going to cut a corner off the dog door in the garage so that if raccoons want shelter they can get in. As it is, I leave the door open most of the time anyway, so I'm sure they are famililar with what's in there.

Tomorrow will be more storm watching, and endless "news" and interviews with the N.O. mayor (I am getting really sick of looking at him) and almost as many with our new governor. (He tends to go on far too long to get to the point.) Both are accompanied by sign language translators.

Meanwhile, I am trying to eat up the stuff I have in the (refrigerator) freezer. The garage freezer is getting restocked with bottles of water. I've got a bunch there for when I do yard work, and there will soon be a much larger bunch.

The interstates are all being shifted to contra-flow at 4 AM tomorrow. If you don't want to head away from here, you'd better know the back roads.

When we went up to Monroe for Katrina it was really bizarre seeing the traffic on the "other " side of the interstate going the same way we were. But it's a good system for a slightly more orderly evacuation.

Word at the coffee shop was that WalMart was closing today at 4 PM. I decided I wouldn't go there to top off my gas tank.

And when I left the house about 1 PM this afternoon, not only not only were stores closing, but the local traffic was quite light.

So, tomorrow will be another day of watching the weathercasts, and of tidying up the yard and putting stuff in the garage.

Oh yes--and going to PJ's in the morning.