New Orleans. Getting it done

 I'm doing good this morning. I managed to score one of the generators that Lowe’s brought in with a little help from a friend who works there who graciously set one aside for me. There was still a two and a half hour line to get into the store but I grabbed one of the day laborers who congregate in the parking lot and paid him to stand in the line for me while I went and did other things. While he stood in the sun I appropriated a window air conditioner from a long abandoned house in my neighborhood. It had been abandoned since 2015 so I didn’t think they’d mind. I then went back, got my generator and hooked it up. Success! Fridge works now and I have one cool room for me and the dogs courtesy of a long-dormant Frigidaire. Plus cold beer!  Gas is a challenge but I stockpiled what I could before the storm and a couple returning friends have dropped some off when they came back to check on their houses. Late night foraging will keep my gas cans filled for a while when my reserve runs low since so many people who evacuated left cars behind. I bought a siphon pump a few years ago and it’s going to serve well now. I’m starting with friends cars first because they’re less likely to be too mad about it and I can easily pay them back afterwards. 

So many people still here who should have left but did not even when they had the ability. These people are not prepared at all and they are a huge drain on the remaining network here. The National Guard is handing out Humanitarian ration” MREs daily now, one per person, but the scamming is epic as single people are claiming rations for nonexistent families at home them walking the streets trying to sell them. Apparently about fifty looters have been arrested so far, all trying to steal electronics, liquor, cigarettes, scratch-off lottery tickets, etc. Apparently none of them were hungry enough to take food or water. 

Several restaurants in the area have collected perishable food from other restaurants and stores and they are cooking it up and giving it away every night. I’ve been eating well on bbq chicken, salmon and some prime rib last night. I could get fat here. The owners at one place love me dearly since I loaned them some lanterns that I’ve had in storage. I’ll never be hungry so long as they’ve got any spare food. 

Currently enjoying the few morning hours when it’s still cool. Expected high today: 90 again with serious humidity. Joy. I’ll nap much of the day in the ac and resume periodic night patrols after dark just to keep an eye on the homes of nearby friends who evacuated. 

Send gas and beer please!