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09/07/2005: "Made it to Mississippi"

Well, I made it to Ocean Springs. It was a long drive, and one where I had to stop every so often to get gas, because most stations along the Florida panhandle were rationing. I could only get $20 of gas at a time. Then, as I got closer to Pensacola, the gas started running out. I was the last car in line to get gas at the last station I stopped at. I was really getting nervous.

The drive through Mobile was the easiest it's ever been. There was hardly any traffic when there should have been rush-hour backups. Then remembered; there are no jobs, so no rush hour.

Then I hit the traffic backed up for the causeway on I-10 into Mississippi. Traffic was backed up for miles because a barge had rammed the causeway, was wedged beneath the bridge. Remember, this is several miles inland. I spent about 2 hours in that stop and go traffic to get 5 miles.

The damage along the drive amazed me. Hotels and fast-food places with their roofs ripped off, giant trees uprooted, boats smashed into houses.

I got to my house in the early evening. As I drove into my neighborhood, I found it easy to believe that my subdivision was the hardest hit in the town. It looks like a bomb went off. In the middle of the street, people had piled all their damaged belongings and pieces of their houses. It's one continuous pile so high you can't see over it.

Rescuers were pulling bodies from several houses.

My house looks like hell. Windows broken or hanging off the side of the house. Roof torn up. Garage door buckled and torn. I found some of my belongings several blocks away. All plants and trees are dead because of the salt water. It was awful.

But even more horrible were the sounds and smells. All the birds are dead...my cardinal family I fed every day, the blue jays, even the grackles. The frogs and toads all drowned. So there is no wildlife noise. The only sounds are of chainsaws as people saw up the trees that fell on their houses or in the street.

And the smells...God, the smells made me gag. Mold, mostly. And rotting vegetation and houses. But worse...the breeze. It brought the sweet, heavy stench of decaying corpses--animal and human.

I've never been so relieved to get away from a place. I collapsed at my friend's house, just grateful to be someplace I recognized and that wasn't destroyed. After a couple of beers, I checked email and found out that Snowbound had been rejected. Just the icing on this disaster.

Thing is, I think I'm in survival mode, because there is no pain. I'm disappointed when I think about it, but right now, in comparison to the fact that I'm homeless and everything I own is gone, a rejection is pretty damned minor. Besides, how can I possibly grieve for something as petty as a rejected manuscript when my neighbors drowned in their own houses?

I'm sure that once I get settled in Washington, the numbness will wear off, and all of this will hit me again. But for now, I just have to get through it. I'm going to be here longer than I planned, because Mississippi is out of gas and I can't get out. We're hoping to leave on Monday.

I'll update when I can.

Once again, thank you all for everything. I'm so lucky to have you.

Hugs,

Larissa

Replies: 32 brave souls responded

on Wednesday, September 7th, Rebecca Brandewyne said

Larissa...what a horrible experience you are going through! I know words are inadequate, but I'm so sorry about SNOWBOUND on top of everything else. But I am glad Felicks made it! Take care, and big hugs!

on Wednesday, September 7th, Emma said

Hugs, Larissa! I'm so sorry you have to go through this. I can't believe they rejected SB.

on Wednesday, September 7th, Jill said

Larissa, I have only warm hugs and the offer to help in any way I can. This whole thing is mind boggling and heart wrenching. Thinking of you ...

Oh and the rejection? They SUCK. That was a great story!

on Wednesday, September 7th, Tori said

Continued hugs and prayers, Larissa.

on Wednesday, September 7th, Amy said

Oh, jeez, a rejection on top of it all. Sorry about that, but I'm sure it IS insignificant to you right now.

Your description of the neighborhood sent shivers down my spine. I'm so sorry for what you're going through. I can't imagine....

on Wednesday, September 7th, Danica said

Oh Larissa, my heart just aches for you right now. still sending lots of hugs and prayers your way.

on Wednesday, September 7th, kacey said

Hugs Larissa. Here. Have another beer. And another one.

And a rejection on top of it. How special. Hope you get gas soon and can get back out of there.

on Wednesday, September 7th, Jaq said

I'll admit the fate of Snowbound had crossed my mind. If I wanted you to sell before, I *really* wanted you to sell after. Just as a silver lining sort of thing. Hugs on all of today's happenings. (((Hugs)))

on Wednesday, September 7th, Lydia said

(((Larissa))))

Hang in there! Sorry about Snowbound, dammit. If you get it revised for full length contemp, my offer to run it under the nose of my editor stands.

I'd start talking to a lawyer about a class-action lawsuit. There is no way the insurance company can possibly think that they'd win this one...

on Wednesday, September 7th, Caro said

Hugs, Larissa. I don't think I can even imagine what it must have been like out there.

And sympathy on the rejection. It may be a small thing in the scheme of everything that's going on, but I'm damn glad you're still with us to get that rejection.

on Wednesday, September 7th, Joely said

(((((Larissa))))

My heart aches for you.

on Wednesday, September 7th, Emma S said

Just more (((hugs))). I can't imagine what you're going through and rejection on top of it just shouldn't be allowed.

on Wednesday, September 7th, Mom E said

I have been thinking about you all since I talked to Bry on Monday.
Wish we could do something to make this better. I just hate to think about your home being ruined. I will try to call your cell phone tomorrow just to say hi
and that we love you.
Give yourselves big hugs. Love Mom E

on Thursday, September 8th, Michelle said

Oh, Larissa. I'm so sorry about all of this. I was so hoping that you'd get a sale after everything that's happened. Hugs to you!!

on Thursday, September 8th, Teresa said

Larissa - More ((((((HUGS))))). My heart just aches for you. Just know I'm thinking of you.

on Thursday, September 8th, Lynn Daniels said

(((Larissa)))) I can't even begin to imagine what you must be going through, and I hope you won't be offended when I say I wouldn't even want to try. No human being should ever be put through all that you've endured. Keep your chin up.

And P~~~~ on the people who sent you the R.

on Thursday, September 8th, Charlene said

What a rotten time for a rejection slip. And I can't even imagine what going back to your house has been like for you. Big hugs, and know that you're in my thoughts and prayers.

on Thursday, September 8th, Lori said

((Larissa)) I'm so glad your cat is okay. Hugs to you and your family. You're in my thoughts and prayers.

on Thursday, September 8th, Patrice Michelle said

Larissa, ((HUGS)) to you! I'm so sorry to hear about the complete damage to your house. You must be feeling like you're living a nightmare.

The rejection of Snowbound truly sucks! Hopefully that just means a better publisher will get a chance at it.

I was happy to read in your earlier post that your cat made it at least...a ray of sunshine in all this gray!

on Thursday, September 8th, Sylvia Day said

I'm so sorry. (((((hugs)))))

on Friday, September 9th, Rebecca said

I asked a friend about your experience with the insurance company..and she suggested getting hold of the state insurance authorities...problem is..I have no idea when you'll be able to find or reach them..

This is just wrong..that they would reject your coverage.

on Friday, September 9th, Kelly said

I've been watching the news reports and reading about you on other blogs. Your first hand account really makes the situation hit home. I'm so sorry for all you've lost, but so happy that your family and your cat are alive and well. I hope the insurance companies stop giving you the run around, that's just despicable. Good luck and good wishes - my thoughts are with you.

on Friday, September 9th, glenicepowell@hotmail.com">glenice said

Oh I can not imagine the pain-or the having to deal with the smell. I know everyone is saying it, but I too am very sorry you and your family are having to go through this...and to top it all off the rejection. I don't think I could deal with that on a GOOD day, let alone a really bad one. Know that you and your neighbors are all in my prayers!

Again I say, if you need ANYTHING when you finally get to WA let me know!!!!

I know too that you will be fine without that insurance! There are alot of people pulling together to help you

"May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father... encourage your hearts and strengthen you..." 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

on Friday, September 9th, Rebecca said

State insurance commissioners are warning carriers that they must prove that damage was caused by water and not by wind if they deny a claim. Mississippi Insurance Commissioner George Dale said in a bulletin
released Wednesday that insurance companies must act to ensure consumers are treated fairly and receive compensation promptly.

"I expect and believe that where there is any doubt, that doubt will be resolved in favor of finding coverage on behalf of the insured," Dale said in the statement

Hope this could lead to good news for you.

on Saturday, September 10th, Sienna said

I am so sorry for everything that has happened even though it feels so useless to feel sorry when the devastation is so tangible. It's too bad about Snowbound being rejected, but maybe it's for the best--I'd warrant that you'll be swamped with getting your life back on track than having time to revise and write. Keep your head up.

on Saturday, September 10th, monsey@verizon.net">Theresa said

Larissa,

I live in Washington state. Is there anything I can do to help out on this end? How about your cats and mice? If you're flying out, do you need crates to ship them in? I've got some I can send if you need them.

And what about a computer? Printers? Do you need anything like this? I've got tons of books too, if you need any writing books, or even reading books.

Let me know if there is anything I can do on this end to help.

Theresa

on Saturday, September 10th, monsey@verizon.net">Theresa said

Larissa,

I live in Washington state. Is there anything I can do to help out on this end? How about your cats and mice? If you're flying out, do you need crates to ship them in? I've got some I can send if you need them.

And what about a computer? Printers? Do you need anything like this? I've got tons of books too, if you need any writing books, or even reading books.

Let me know if there is anything I can do on this end to help.

Theresa

on Saturday, September 10th, Linda said

Larissa, my thoughts and prayers are with you, Bryan, and your town.

on Saturday, September 10th, Silma said

Having survived hurricane Georges, I know what you're going through. It takes time to get back into the funk, move on, and to leave behind the horror. Especially when you've got to be strong for others. (((HUGS))) Hang in there. You're in my prayers.

on Monday, September 12th, Gabrielle said

Larissa, I've been following your blog and I really have no words. I just wanted to let you know how sorry I am this happened to you, happened to anyone (I have a friend in New Orleans who made it out safely, thank God), and also how happy I am that Felicks made it. It stuns me to think that even the frogs and birds died, and I'm so sorry to hear about your neighbors. Take care of yourself, and know that months from now, we will still be thinking of you and still be here when you need to talk. Take care of yourself.

on Wednesday, September 14th, lozon@ttmps.com">Jodi L C said

Oh Larissa!! Not Snowbound. That story is so awesome. You are so overdue for a silver lining, sweetie. Very glad to hear you are almost to WA and that Bryan and Brennan and the pets will all be along with you. Missing you and thinking of you daily.

(((Hugs)))

on Tuesday, September 20th, Zak Casper Winchester said

this is ALLLLLLLLL FUCKED UP!!!!!!!!!!