Thursday, August 25, 2011

My Retirement - Batten Down the Hatches

Waiting for the storm, and doing OK.

Thar she blows.
Satellite picture of Hurricane Alex
 Most of the Northeast and Middle Atlantic states are getting ready for Irene.  It is story #1.  Since hubby came home from work, the weather channel has been on in two rooms of my house.  Not only will we have anxiety about the storm when it actually happens (if and when it heads our way), we have to have at least two days before to prepare and worry.  I understand about preparedness, however, most of us can do little about it and will stand our ground and hope for the best.  I am not on the coast, where the worst scenerio is being shown, but we expect to get a peice of it. The TV weather people live for these times and are in their glory telling us about every little possibility of this storm, over and over and over again.

About five or so years ago, we had plans to go to the Outerbanks in North Carolina.  About a week before we were going to leave, the weathermen were talking about doom and gloom for that area because a large hurricane was in the Atlantic. I was concerned but still looked forward to a vacation in a beautiful home on the beach with my friends.  The day before we were to leave, I got some news from my doctor that I had a medical problem and driving to North Carolina was out of the question.   Three days later, when I returned to the hospital for a test, they cleared me, so hubby and I  packed the car and headed down south, into the eye of Armageddon.  Hey, I love my friends.   The sky was cloudy, there was no wind, and the storm never came.  Instead, the hurricane rounded the Outerbanks, turned into a tropical storm, and came right up to the Philadelphia area (where I live) and dumped quite a bit of water and caused some flooding.    Meanwhile, we had a great time drinking some Margaritas, while looking at sunsets from our deck overlooking a calm sea.

Yes, I am nervous about Irene, but it is out of my hands.  Tomorrow is supposed to be a beautiful day and even if it is not, I am going to find a way to enjoy it.  Actually, I will probably be collecting my almost 150 potted plants from my gardens and putting them under my deck - just in case.  Maybe Irene will just take a right and head out to sea.  I am hoping for the best, but will be prepared for the worst.  I do think that other areas like NY are in for quite a nasty ride, but where are you going to put 8 million people.  There is just so much you can do. 

My plan is to stay safe, be reasonable and stock the house with bread, milk and wine - again, just in case.

Stranded: A man walks along a seaside park as Hurricane Irene passes to the east of Nassau on New Providence Island in the Bahamas

15 comments:

  1. I have a hard time with all the hysteria the media's spreading. Even up here, they're acting like it's the end of the world. Everybody panic! How many hurricanes have we all lived through, and almost every time it's some rain, some wind and some flooding and nothing more. It's like they want us to live in fear all the time!

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  2. Fear mongers....it makes for great news and even better entertainment. Hope the storm heads off in the other direction and fizzles out. Keep safe. I'll be thinking of you.

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  3. Keep safe. I hope it does pass away from you but then I suppose other people will be hit by it.

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  4. Hello Arleen:
    Our thoughts are very much with you at this very worrying time. We do hope and pray that all will be well with both you, and all others, in the path of Irene.

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  5. I hope the storm passes you by and you remain safe-thoughts and prayers are with the people whose path it may cross.x

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  6. Hi Jane and Lance, Janet, Susan, Delores and Austan, Thank you for your concern. The weathermen and politicians are gettting frantic about this storm and it looks like the real deal. Today, however, is sunny and there is not a cloud in the sky. I am going to Home Depot to get a supply of bungee cords to hold things that are too heavy for me to move. I am sure it will do little good, but hey, I am making the effort. Being inland, we are only supposed to get a tropical storm which could mean lots of rain (the ground is already saturated from the past 2 week's rain) and strong winds. I am sure there will be plenty of trees down - hopefully not on my house.

    I pray we will all be safe and the precautions made will help allieviate the damage in the aftermath.

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  7. Add me to those wishing you the best possible outcome with this storm. I can't get over that you had to move 150 potted plants - you must live in paradise!
    linda

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  8. Thanks Linsa for stopping by. I got all 168 potted plants in a safe place. Thank God, I cut back on my gardening this year.

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  9. Good luck, kiddo. Earthquake? Hurricane? What's next, the frogs or the locusts? Hope this baby peters out, but it doesn't look like we're gonna be that lucky with this one. (Ah, have another glass of wine . . .)

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  10. The stink bugs should be here next week, millions upon millions of them. Maybe Irene will do some good and blow them out to sea.

    We expect Irene tonight. It is 8 am and the sky is grey, the air is extremely humid and my yard is full of mushrooms. Don't think we can take much more rain, but they are calling for 10" in our county. Got as much inside and underneath as I can, now we are just waiting for this to come and go quickly.

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  11. Thinking of you as Irene visits. x

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  12. Thank you for your comment - I do hope you are safe.

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