Monday, October 29, 2012

Hunkered Down


We are hunkered down here, and waiting for the worst of the storm to arrive.  The latest predictions show the hurricane force winds arriving sometime around 6 pm tonight and lasting until the early morning hours before daybreak tomorrow.

We are as prepared as we can be, save building a bomb shelter, so now we just have to ride things out.  The winds have picked up significantly in the last half hour or so.   Early this morning we had already gotten over 3 inches of rain, and it has only continued to fall since then so I'm betting some of the lower lying areas around us are already experiencing flooding.  And we haven't seen a high tide yet this afternoon but our pier has water licking the bottom of it already.

I had hoped to show you images of the waves on the river, but that won't be happening, the tropical storm force winds and sideways rain are a bit too ferocious for my camera I'm afraid.  So instead I'll just show you our 4 kayaks which are nestled up by the house, just outside our master bedroom.  They are lashed together and turned upright to collect the rainwater so that they will be too heavy to fly away...at least that's the theory!




They say that necessity is the mother of invention, and since we don't have a proper umbrella stand (note to self to get one) an old zinc watering can tucked into the garage during our storm preparations will have to do.  As will scatter rugs strategically placed everywhere to try and catch as much water as possible when we bring the dogs in and out.

As the storm progresses, we will need to take them out the front door where we will be slightly more sheltered from the wind and driving rain.  And there is a porch where we can towel them off under cover before coming back inside.

The pups are real troopers though and will come in and let me towel them completely off before giving us a good shake.  Just a little bit ago when Quinn came inside after a potty run my daughter commented that he looked like a boxer getting ready for a prize fight with the beach towel draped all around him.



As much as I dread the next 24 to 36 hours, I have to feel pretty lucky.  Lucky that Mr. Tide and the folks at the company he was visiting worked like dogs while on travel so that he could catch a flight in last night....such a wonderful feeling to have him home when we weren't expecting it!  And our daughter will be staying with us as the rental property she shares with her brother has many more trees surrounding it than our house.  Super saturated ground with high winds = downed trees!  

Our son Bugs is riding out the storm at the local firehouse.  Not what a mother really hopes for during a major storm, but it's what he loves, and I know there will be people who will need his help.  I just hope they don't keep the first responders on the roads until the 11th hour like they did during Irene.  Once it becomes unsafe, no one should be on the roads or be expected to go out during the height of the storm.  He sends me texts every now and again to ease my worries and to let me know how things are going up his way.

And you can't help but feel lucky when you compare yourself to the families who are experiencing loses from Sandy's earlier landfalls, or the pure agony of waiting to see if their loved ones will be rescued after the tragic tall ship accident off the coast of North Carolina today!  I hope the 2 missing crew are found safe and sound.  Or the folks living in high rise buildings in NYC who don't know what to expect.  One of our friends is a New York City firefighter, and my heart goes out to the first responders of the major metro areas up and down the coast.

I went outside yesterday and snipped a few roses knowing that any remaining blossoms will be gone with the wind by this time on Wednesday.  For now, I will enjoy them and maybe even channel a little Scarlett O'Hara myself...

"Oh, I can't think about this now! I'll go crazy if I do! I'll think about it tomorrow. But I must think about it. I must think about it. What is there to do? What is there that matters? Tara! Home. I'll go home. And I'll think of some way to get him back. After all... tomorrow is another day!

Thanks so much for your comments and emails wishing us well during the storm, they are much appreciated!  And to our wonderful first responders, stay safe, and thank you for all that you do! 


 

25 comments:

  1. Do hope you ride the storm out safely Kat, keep us posted!

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  2. The wind is really picking up here as well, Kat and the rain continues to fall. I have an apple pie in the oven because, well just because. Take care and stay safe. So glad your husband is home.

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  3. Thank you to your son for being on duty at the firehouse!

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  4. Kat, gosh what a cotton pickin mess of a storm. Praying for your safety. xo, olive

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  5. I've already bitten off two nails with worry about DD and all of you. Some bloggie friends already having flooding.....
    Hope all of you let us now as soon as you can after that you're alright.

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  6. Sending prayers your way during this storm for your family and neighbors. I live in Louisiana have been through a few hurricanes myself with severe flooding with it. Just a thought...I know you don't want your kayaks to fly away...make sure they are securely anchored to something that you know will not float away...for you will be very surprised what mother nature will take. Be safe! Shari

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  7. Kat, so glad that Mr Tide managed to make it home to be with you. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

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  8. Take care, and stay safe! It sounds as though you have made all the preparations you know to make.

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  9. Good luck... thinking about you all. I do hope you are spared any severe damage and come through this safe and sound.

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  10. Stay safe Kat...we are in the same situation. My daughter Kate is in Manhattan and is terrified...
    ...we are outside the city and under two giant 100 year pine trees...and will probably go next door to sleep. Praying for everyone...praying,praying!
    Good luck my friend !

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  11. Thinking of you all. Hoping that tomorrow comes quickly and without too much destruction. ;)Sharyne

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  12. My side of the country is sunny with blue skies today. Crazy isn't it? I am glad your husband made it home to be with you. Stay safe.

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  13. Don't worry. Stay safe. Try to have fun!

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  14. Stay safe, Kat! We've had the rain and winds all day here in PA, but we aren't on the water, like you are. I am glad Mr. Tide is home too. Feels much better that way, doesn't it?!

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  15. So glad your husband and daughter are both home with you Kat! Thanks for keeping us posted of the progression of Sandy. And fiddle dee dee those roses sure are beautiful! xo

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  16. Kat,
    I have been thinkng about you today and thought I would let you know that I am praying all goes well for you and your family.

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  17. Going through hurricanes is not fun...and the aftermath is downright awful. Now I hear you guys are going to be dealing with heavy snows, too. My heart goes out to all of you. Praying that all goes well...

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  18. I was going to email you this afternoon, Kat, after I saw footage on CNN of the storm pounding the coast of Maryland. Then I thought you must not have power. I'm so glad your husband came home early to weather it out with you. Now, as I type, it looks like the hurricane will be making landfall at any time in Rhode Island. Just so you know, even here in the Midwest, we are glued to the TV and saying prayers for all of you. This is just so incredible.

    Please stay in touch if you have power.

    XO,
    Jane

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  19. Kat, You have been in my thoughts all day. I hope you are doing well and staying safe.

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  20. Stay safe! I've been thinking of you and hoping that you stay dry inside your house and suffer no property damage.

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  21. Hope you are fine I know you were getting lots of rain your way. Us more wind and hardly any rain. Folks at the beach fared not so well I'm afraid.
    Praying for all the folks that are suffering,
    x
    C

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  22. Hi, Kat - How are you all doing? Everything and everyone okay? We made it through fine. Thank goodness. Take care, Loi

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  23. Good luck and I hope you all stay safe.

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