Rebekah Sanderlin has been Fayetteville's welcome wagon. She's a writer, former reporter for the FayObserver, a military wife -- her husband is on his 3 or 4th deployment to Afghanistan. I knew about her before I came to town because I read her blog. Turns out we had some other things in common -- connections in Nashville, etc.

We've been meeting for lunch as she tutors me in all things Fayetteville. She's introduced me to a couple of the good vittle places. We talk writing. She's got some colorful stories. She worked in Nashville, grew up there, and had her own share of interesting jobs.

She almost missed her cue this morning.

We'd spoken about 8 p.m. last night. She'd invited me up to hunker down at her place as Hurricane Hanna rolled into town. It was already pretty nasty out so I stayed home.

Rebekah, however, had to get out and about early this morning. She had to make her way to the hospital, through driving rain and downed trees.

She got there at 7:30 a.m.

Rudy Catherine was born at 7:45 a.m.

Gordon says that was pretty good timing on her part. I said she was almost too late!

I don't get to hold babies much anymore, but I was delighted to spend some time cuddling baby Rudy today. Her daddy comes home in Jan., 2009.

This reminds me of Konnie, who used to suck her thumb.

My friends Scot and Kris McKnight are going to be blessed with their first grandchild soon. Holding Rudy makes me envious of them. You two have much to look forward to!

It'll be awhile before I get to be a grandmother like Kris but Rebekah says I can come over and play granny anytime I feel like it.

I must say Rudy didn't seem the least bit disturbed by the Hurricane.