Asheville to Franklin, Virginia. -- Lotta driving, lotta hills. A very long day. Petey has never met a rest stop he doesn't like (me, too).

There is a huge storm. In the motel parking lot, garbage cans go flying. Ernesto, having given Miami just a glance, is coming up the coast inland. Another thing I forgot, to take in the chairs off my second floor balcony. I truly thought I had totally prepared for any bad weather while tripping; I did clear off the patio and so on. Sheesh! But super neighbors Robert and JP did spiderman over to the chairs and brought them in anyway. I am so impressed and very very grateful.

Talk about eating and talking. Four houses all in a row, Robert & JP, me (and Petey), Oci and son Lucas, and Ed & Otto at #6, shared yard work (mostly the guys) and defrosting freezers in Wilma’s aftermath. We cooked and ate to keep from wasting. (Waisting, instead.) Eelin (daughter) tells her friends this story about me and my neighbors after Wilma. “Mother called me every time they were about to start a new meal. She called every 45 minutes.” Fairly true picture.

I miss my neighbors right now. I am loving to think about them while telling this story.