We're flying out of Detroit on Saturday, Sept. 5th, for our summer vacation in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. It appears that we will be on the heels of Jimena!
Weather Underground forecasts the hurricane to hit ground in the Baja peninsula on Thursday of this week. Viewing the map at the right, Jimenas' path will pass right through Los Cabos which is located at the southern most tip of the peninsula.

I have never been in a hurricane, nor have I seen the devastation that remains after a hurricane has hit. I will be watching its' progress for the next few days to see if it looks imminent. The resort will probably have updates for us as well.

Looks like my husband will get his wish! "BIG SURF!"

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FREQUENT VISITOR

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For days now we have been shooing off a frequent visitor, a black kitten. She has made herself quite at home in our attached screened-in porch off of the dining room. She purrs and licks the glass on the sliding glass window seeking someone to pay attention to her and let her in the house. When that doesn't work, she begins to claw at the glass and purr some more. She has found out how to sit atop of the lounge in the porch and peek inside of my kitchen window that is above my sink. Here she pleads for me to allow her entrance.

I made the mistake after ignoring her for two consecutive days, of putting out milk for her to drink. BIG MISTAKE! Now, she won't leave. She is adorable, but I can't take a pet back to Germany and besides, my husband is allergic to their dander. Still, in spite of being ignored, tossed off the deck, and starved, she keeps coming back.

I fear there will be a trip to the humane society tomorrow if she returns.

SADNESS

It is every expats nightmare--a sudden emergency back home. Having lived overseas before, I have heard of expats getting a late night call and rushing to book the first flight back to the states. It is frightening to even contemplate.
Sadly, it was our turn to have a family tragedy and fortunately, for my husband and I, we were both back to the states for our first visit since moving to Munich.
Tuesday morning, around 1:00 am, I was awoke by my son to learn that his wife, my daughter-in-law, just got a call that her sisters' daughter, 16, was killed in a car crash. I rushed to my daughter-in-law's side and stayed with her until I was sure she was stable and able to sleep. I stayed awake for hours, and I know she did too. My son left to go to her sisters. Tragically, she had just lost her husband only months before.
We were not aware of it at the time, but her daughter had been despondent over her father's death and according to a newspaper report, unconfirmed, she left a note saying she wanted to be with him. However, she drove on the wrong side of the interstate into an oncoming semi and died instantly.
Today was the funeral.
My heart goes out to my daughter-in-law, her sister and her two remaining children, their parents and siblings. Words fail me at this time. It is unnatural for a parent to outlive their children. I cannot imagine the sheer enormousity of this for my daughter-in-laws' family. Other than be here for comfort and offer to babysit my grandchildren, I know of nothing else that will suffice to bring them peace. I pray that our Lord and Savior will be able to strengthen them at this most challenging time. May they be blessed with His presence and may He bring them the care and guidance they need. May God bless this family.