Hurricane Magnet

 

This is our second hurricane in our two years in NYC.  I suppose the Northeast wants to make us feel at home.  Only thing is, it actually makes me home sick.  Yup.  That howling wind is meant bend banana trees onto your window and the porch swing creak.

There were a few downed trees in our area and minimal flooding in some buildings.  We watched the Queensboro Bridge go dark and the East River creep up, but we didn't lose power or have any damage.  

It's interesting to not have to fiddle with the generator or tune up the chain saw post hurricane.  Although Charlie will tell you he *loves* that about apartment living, I think the man may stop by Home Depot tomorrow just to stroll the generator aisle.

No subway service yet, and it may be some time before it is restored because of flooding in some tunnels.  Regardless, we're back to routine, and out in the crisp winter-ish air that arrived with the hurricane. 

School's Cancelled

We have been snuggling in bed listening to the wind and rain. Ok, I've been trying to snuggle as Charlie frantically gets up and peeks out the window and wonders aloud about our roof repair holding up.

One storm has just passed over us, but the weather radar shows several more to come throughout the day, each separated by a stretch of calm, as Ike's outer bands pass us on their way to Texas.

It's a day for tea on the porch, novel reading, homemade banana bread, and snuggling.

Gustav Numbers

1528: miles logged on the highway
4: lunches at Panera
1: fallen branch crushing the fence
20+: roof shingles missing (an area bigger than me)
1: reliable, honest roofer needed who hasn't followed work to Baton Rouge
4: ceilings with water stains
4: nights in OKC
1: night in D'Lo, MS
2: days piling branches

Life is Good

The orchid, tucked safely behind Charlie's workshop, still has five blooms. All of our services are back, internet included. A grocery store nearby is open if we run out of milk. We had breakfast at the bakery. We're tidying the yard together as the dogs enjoy the sun and breeze. We have plans to dine out this evening.

And I feel good that this time around that we've we made it home with our life pretty much unchanged. A little less cash in our pocket, and some more miles on the car, but we're not faced with rethinking what life will look like in the next year. A much different scene than three years ago.

We are thankful.