(These are comments from a paper diary.)

Power was lost less than an hour after previous (early Monday) post. Rain and increased wind aren't as bad as I expected. Wishing I could see the radar.

I opened up my skylights (they're usually covered in the summer to reduce heat) so that I could read.

My portable radio batteries still have enough "juice" that I can listen. And I have at least two more sets of batteries for the future.

I placed flashlights (with fresh batteries) at strategic locations. And I set up a tea candle in the bathroom sink (for safety). No windows in the bathroom and very little light comes through the vent fan opening.

Mid-afternoon: The storm seems to have passed over. I cleaned the larger stuff from the driveway. When I got to the road I saw a parish pickup coming down the road and clearing away some obstructions.

Once I knew my road was cleared I went for a short drive--"to charge my cell phone". No traffic lights, but drivers were very couteous at intersections.

There were no street lights either--but there was much less visible damage than I expected, considering all the "mandatory" evacuation orders from various government officials.