Before, During, & After Irene

Last Thursday found me quite anxious about Hurricane Irene. It was because we had plans for last weekend that were laid out months ago. You know what they say about best laid plans. Our niece was getting married and we planned on flying to the wedding in Kentucky. As the weekend approached, I became more and more anxious that we wouldn’t be able to go. The husband and I spoke of the “what ifs” and decided that flying would be a gamble. We could get out, but we probably would not be able to get back home when we needed to. There were so many other considerations, the house, the dog, the storm damage – we would be worried about all of it while we were away.

This was the second missed opportunity to see our family. We canceled an earlier trip to Indiana because of the boy’s illness earlier this month. We could second guess our decision all day long but I’ve decided that it’s a futile exercise. I was disappointed though, no doubt about it.

So I made lemonade out of hurricane lemons. I had a hurricane party.

As I prepared a massive amount of food for the coming weekend uncertainty, the husband and the kids prepared the house. They dug a ditch for water flow from our basement to well – Neighbor Theresa’s house.

Just joshing. Though she does live downhill of us – but too far away to be affected by the hurricane ditch – I think.

The county was giving away sand bags so we put a few outside of the basement door. We planned on sleeping in the basement in case our sycamore came crashing down on us so it was particularly important that we kept it dry. Just thinking ahead.

I made food and lots of it. The boy really liked his peanut butter and jelly cake the week before so I made another. I didn’t have time to take photos as I cooked, I felt like I was against the hurricane clock, so no photos of the frosting.

But I did have time to snap a photo of decapitated fish. Go figure. These fish were huge and they were delicious. The husband was so proud to have caught them with his bare hands – or rather a pole. I crisped them up and then baked them. Yum.

Our neighbors began arriving in the afternoon.  Losing power was a given. We had no idea how long it was going to stay on and I knew it was going to be a long night.

Neighbor Yvonne brought her guitar and serenaded us as the wind started to howl.

There was a knock at the door well after the rain started and when I answered, I found these boys – soaking wet but cute all the same. They wanted my boy to walk with them in the rain and the wind. I know that boys are different – but really now. He refused to go but we invited them in for some food and drink. The boy to the left said, “I don’t know – stranger danger.” Since he was the only boy I didn’t know, I said to him, “You’re right, I don’t know who you are.”

I should have made him stay outside. Smarty pants.

They came in and ate like – teenage boys. And the stranger boy made himself at home, in a total stranger’s house.

The lights went out about 8:30 pm or thereabouts. No matter – we had candles, lanterns, batteries and flashlights. And we had a guitar – and wine.

I attempted to use my iPhone to change our company website and send out facebook posts. It was cumbersome but I got it done somehow. It’s a somewhat surreal feeling, the candles, the little beeps of our smart phones and Neighbor Yvonne singing John Denver’s “Country Roads.” At the same time it was also simultaneously comforting and adventurous. After all, how often does this happen? – don’t answer that.

We slept through the most violent part of the storm. As a matter of fact, we were in the basement and didn’t hear a single thing. I woke up the next morning expecting chaos but instead heard an eery quiet. Outside was debris-filled but very little damage to speak of. I was so relieved – enough to go back to sleep again.

Before I did though, I sent a  text out to see if I needed to go to work and restart any systems. I’m such a geek – truly. Someone text me back – “Go back to bed” or something of that nature.

There was no television or coffee, what else was there to do?

The rest of the day was spent cleaning up. I filled our tub with water but you know what? We have a pool! Duh! This was how we spent our time getting clean after assessing storm damage. I had a pool water bath in my shower. Shampoo is the glue that holds civilization together.

The next day was beautiful – gorgeous as matter of fact. All up and down the county there were stories of downed power lines and downed trees. I was so grateful that I didn’t know anyone who was hurt. We can handle property damage but anything else would have been difficult -

We had a nice breakfast at our neighbor’s house. Then we went back later that night to have dinner. They had a generator, enough to run power to the refrigerators and lights. So civilized. We are spoiled – but I’m only speaking for myself. I fully understand how others are suffering and it makes me grateful for what I have – what was given to me.

It was Neighbor Drew’s birthday. The last time there was a hurricane, it was his dad, Neighbor Ted’s, birthday. It’s a family tradition I suppose.

The lights were restored while we were at Neighbor Leigh’s. We rejoiced. Twenty-five hours without power! I don’t know how we survived:)

We were together when the lights went out, and we were together when the lights came on. Look at those boys. How cute are they?

Good bye Irene. Can’t say I’ll miss you at all.

For Sweet Shot Tuesday
and
Wordful Wednesday

August 29, Mosaic Monday Randomness

There’s just something silly about Mondays and AJ here is the epitome of silliness and inquisitiveness. When I first sat down, he turned his back to me and refused to speak or look at me. I tried to charm him but it was only when I pulled out my iPhone that he began to warm up to me. That Steve Jobs, he’s something isn’t he?

I just wanted to post some iPhone photos today for no other reason than – it’s Monday. I cooked these fish over the weekend and we ate like kings and queens over during Hurricane Irene’s rage through the east coast. The dog’s nose was quite stimulated.

These photos were all edited with the PicFrame app. I didn’t realize how short I was until I stood next to the Jolly Green Giant. On the left, we are of equal height, on the right – not so much.

I’m not short, he’s just tall.

And finally some fresh fruit and veggies. The image on the bottom right is of figs. The husband and I picked some at Neighbor Corinne’s house before the storm. During the storm, a tree came down on their home and destroyed the front of their home. They are alright thank God. Not sure how the fig bush fared though.

Well, that’s my stimulating intellectual and creative input for today. Perhaps I’ll return later with a Shakespearean reading.

August 27, Stirring The Atmospheric Pot

This was overlooking the Chesapeake Bay yesterday morning. It was beautiful and quiet.

This is my bay window this morning. Amongst the riding ribbons, spackle, cacti, and various books and Bibles is this – humidity. Do you see how steamy our windows are? And it’s not raining yet.

Here she comes!

I fully realize how this next statement will sound but I will say it anyway. I hope this storm lives up to the hype because we canceled our trip to see our sweet Mandi get married this weekend. It better be worth all the preparation. It’s a petulant statement I know -

But I truly don’t want anyone to get hurt or have any damage to property. I think we’re ready for her in any case. I’ll be twittering all day, partly to document the storm and partly because I’ll be nervous.

Be safe in the storm and always keep your eyes looking upward to the heavens!

August 26, Crossing The Great Waters

This was the fortune in my cookie last night.

It’s almost morbid in a way as we are right smack in the middle of Hurricane Irene’s track. We made the decision to stay home rather than to go Kentucky for our lovely nieces wedding. It may seem counter-intuitive – to stay in the storm’s way rather than leave for relative safety. There’s a couple of reasons for this. We do not live in a low lying area so therefore there is no evacuation order for our area. Those on the Atlantic coasts are not so fortunate and I pray they are heeding the call and leaving.

We also felt that we shouldn’t leave the house unattended during a Cat 2 storm. We also would not be able to get back on Sunday – air travel would be a mess and we could potentially be stranded for days.

It is for all of these reasons and more – and we are so disappointed. We were looking forward to see our family and the beautiful bride and we wanted to meet the groom, the newest addition to the family. We spoke to the bride last night, she said we should have a hurricane party. So we considered and I sent out a call for community and a hunkering down together. I don’t know who will come. All I know is this; if I am surrounded by the people I love - darn the wind and the rain.

This is quite a serious storm – it’s rearing its ugly head on our televisions in the form of “hurricane updates.” If you are in the path of the storm – I will be praying for your safety.

It’s quiet now – eerily so…

August 25, Storms A-Comin’

Here we go again. This week’s earthquake came and went so fast and no one was prepared for it. This weekend’s storm, Hurricane Irene is tracked to affect us in some way – hopefully not as badly as some are predicting.

We have been watching this natural disaster for a couple of days – all that means is that we (I) have been stressed out for the past couple of days. This storm is not just coming and leaving – no sirree. This storm is going to cause as much angst as possible before she arrives.

For you see – my beautiful niece Mandi is getting married this weekend. This Saturday to be exact – in Kentucky. We have plans to fly out to see the gorgeous blushing bride. I can’t wait to take pictures and be sobbing in my handkerchief. Cursed this storm! It’s supposed to hit our area late Saturday night and into early Sunday morning. If it causes any airports on the east coast to close, we will be stuck in Kentucky and may not get back on Sunday. The airports will be a mess. The schedule will be chaos. Cats and dogs will be living together.

In our house they already do.

And what if the coastlines flood here at home? The family who is watching the dog will have to evacuate, they live on the bay. Hopefully they will take the dog with them. And what if the sycamore falls on our house? Perhaps it will be best that we are in Kentucky when it does.

I’m trying to make light of all of it but I’m actually quite nervous – and it won’t be funny if all I’ve predicted comes true.

I didn’t have time to make up doomsday scenarios before the earthquake. Thank goodness.

I text the husband every five minutes – “Are we going?” “Are we flying?” “Are we driving?”

He says we’ll decide tonight. Well if that isn’t just like him to be common sensible.

So I’ll let you know if our sycamore survives the storm this weekend.

Oh – and one last thing. Please visit me on Vision and Verb today. I’m a little calmer over there . . .