Houston Week 2

Rain showers over the Gulf. The ocean here has two colors: brown and green.

I drove the hour to Galveston which is on a 34-mile long island, but I learned a sad truth: it really isn't any cooler by the sea. I took a tour of the city on a duck (and the guide actually mentioned the ones at the Dells), ate the best crab cakes and key lime pie at Joe's Crab Shack, and walked the beach, wading in the 90 degree brown Gulf water.

The ducks. The sea wall behind me.

Jazz is big on the coast.

The city of Galveston was wiped out in the largest natural disaster in the U.S. in 1900 with over 6000 people missing. During the following years, a 17-foot high sea wall stretching 10 miles was built. On September 13th, 2008, Hurricane Ike hit Galveston head on and the city is still struggling to get back on its feet.

This hotel was torn apart; the road leading to it crumpled. Notice the brown then green water in the picture on the left.

There is still plenty of money on the island, although I think the Coast Guard was stopped at these boats for a bust!

The palm trees survived Hurricane Ike, but because of the long-standing water covering the island, most of the deciduous trees died and are being cut down. I'll go back to Galveston one day since I didn't have time to see all I wanted to and I need to find the Glen Campbell song to play really loud while I drive through.

Week 2 at the hospital went pretty well. I was hired for the 11am-7 p.m. shift, but I have yet to work those hours. I find out the day before when they want me to come in...so far anywhere from 6:45 to 10:00. Mainly it's 9 a.m. which is perfect for me.

Since the surgeons own the hospital, some of the surgeons are unbelievably nasty and they seem to get away with it. I don't understand why they assume the "God Syndrome", but thankfully, only a few of the surgeons are like that.

Oh my gosh....it's 9:30 a.m. already and it's only 84 degrees! We've been setting record highs since I've gotten here and there's a pretty severe drought going on. I'm thinkin' some of the fireworks will be cancelled. It's chilly out so I'm going to sit outside and read the paper!

Miss y'all much. Come visit!

Nancy and Hooch

Houston Week 1

This is my Monet image of Hooch. He turned out to be quite the traveler. Now he eagerly wants to get into the car and I don't know if it's because he likes riding, if he's afraid I'll leave him behind, or if he's just hoping I'll take him back home.




I am working at the Foundation Surgical Hospital in Bellaire, Texas (which actually is in the middle of Houston). It's about 5 miles from my apartment and takes 15-20 minutes to get there. The hospital is only 3 years old and they only do orthopedic and spine procedures. Brand new hospital, brand new equipment and the people I work with seem very nice. I think I will like working here.

Hooch taking a stroll outside our apartment. It's all security enclosed so he can't escape.

The apartment complex is pretty nice, the best part being I have not seen ONE bug in the house! And trust me, the first few nights I was here, I got up in the dark and did surprise inspections. We are on the third floor and I learned an important lesson here....request first floor if you take your dog with you.

Although I bought a chair and table for the deck, I have a rule about not sitting outside if it's over 95 degrees. Hooch and I have used the deck once so far; it was midnight.

I have my new library card and life is good!

Love,

Nancy and Hooch