Sunday, August 28, 2011

Goodnight Irene


Red sky at night sailors delight...I don't think so



First of all lets get this out in the open.  When they name hurricanes why would give one a name like Irene that literally means “peace.”  Sounds like a big contradiction to me.  They should be giving them names like Attila.  

Anyway, even though I live about 2 hours inland from the ocean the whole area was in an uproar yesterday.  You couldn’t find water or batteries anywhere.  Emergency workers were working overtime or on call.  I guess you could say here in these parts of Virginia we still haven’t recovered from the 2003 visit from a very nasty lady named, Isabel.  Incidentally, Isabel means “god of plenty,” plenty of rain, plenty of power loss, plenty of damage. 

During the pre-Isabel day I scoffed at those who feared her.  I had never really felt the effects of a hurricane; after all we were 2 hours inland.  My chastisement came the night she roared into town. The windows sounded as if they were about to implode.  The trees were downed everywhere one looked.  The power was out and remained out for two blistering hot weeks! 

The first thing I did after Isabel was to go out and buy a generator.  It’s been 8 years since Isabel and it’s still brand spanking new.  How is that for irony?  

Right before Irene arrived we took out Genny, (my generator) as shiny and new as the day she was born, from the storage shed, went to the gas station and bought a couple of gallons of gas.  We got out the battery powered lantern and put it on the kitchen counter.  We were prepared.  Nothing happened.  Not complaining, just saying.

Others were not so lucky and I hope that they will soon recover from Irene’s wrath.



Hurricane season is just starting and Genny may finally get her first use-- after all there are still…

Jose
Katia
Lee
Maria--sister
Nate
Ophelia
Phillippe
Rina
Sean--son
Tammy
Vince--husband
Whitney

Should I take it as an omen that out of the names that are upcoming three are my family members?

12 comments:

Carol Blackburn said...

Glad you got by unscathed! We bought a generator after moving to Maine when the first year, in mid-January we had 17 degree below 0 weather, lots of ice and no power. That meant no well water, no heat, no anything. We had kerosene heaters in the garage which we promptly went out to get and locked ourselves out of the house. Thank goodness my hubby had the sense to listen to me and get fully dressed before going outside. He wanted to go out in pj's and slippers, "we're just going to the garage." Yeh, it's 17 below and icy.......He thanked me later. Fortunately he had hidden a key outside, unfortunately it was frozen in place. Fortunately he hadn't locked the garage and could get a wrench to pry the key loose so we could get back into the house. Hence, the very next spring we got a contractor in here and got set up with a generator. Guess what, haven't needed it since but I am a happy woman just knowing we are prepared for the worse. Irene should be showing up shortly here. I say "bring it on girl, I'm awaitin' for ya."

Lee Pierce said...

Glad you are safe and sound! Been watching this thing non stop - so many family and friends are strewn along the path.

Don't take those names to heart - many may not make it past tropical storm status. :D

Anonymous said...

so glad alls well, that generator will pay its worth in time maybe but for now she can just be at the ready.Thenames on the list,, thats funny,,

Valerie-Jael said...

So glad you stayed safe, it must be a very unpleasant experience. The sotrms we have here are bad enough to scare me, and they are nothing in comparison. Take care of yourself, I think the last days have given you enough scares what with an earthquake and a hurricane! Hugs, Valerie

maddyrose said...

I'm thankful to hear that Irene has departed your area with so little fanfare. I think being prepared for the worst helps to make us feel less powerless when Mother Nature is having a tantrum. About those names.....now that really is something to think about.

Gail H. Ragsdale said...

Always love your posts!

Glad you are okay, it's better to be safe than sorry. Heavens, I sound like my mother!

Catherine Denton said...

So glad you're okay. Hmmm, that could mean trouble is brewing in the household. ;)
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Liz Revit said...

We're lucky. It could have been much worse. Good night, Irene!

Jenn Bower said...

Glad you are well. I know what you mean about the uncertainty of being inland and what to do - Charlotte had the eye of HUGO pass over in '89 & the city was forever changed. Irene truly could have been worse. But, with the season not near an end it makes me worry about what greater wrath Mother Nature has in store.

Daniella said...

It is awesome that you were prepared!! And even better that you weren't hit!!
I live 2 hours from the coast too, in NJ, but we got it!!! awful! we were without power for days, and then yesterday too for a few hours!
Soo many poor people are still stuck in their homes. Th National Guard is either bring boats to them, or getting the out with helicopters.
Thankfully, we are OK. We are grateful for sure!!!
xxDaniella

Craftymoose Crafts said...

Glad you squeaked by Irene or rather she squeaked by you! Ironically, we bought a generator about 4 years ago & have never used it until this storm. Hope the "family" storms and the rest miss you, too.

Dee ⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️ said...

I'm so glad you were safe and free of damage. I live about an hour from the coast and got hit by Irene. Not much flooding since I live on a hill but trees are down and our power went out. This is our second storm in 15 months. I sure hope Katia stays out at sea.

Hugs,
Dee

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