Just when we thought the season was over, we find ourselves watching the news, listening to weather reports and otherwise preparing for Hurricane Sandy.
It is early morning as I write this, and instead of peace and the occasional bird call, I am hearing my neighbors testing and preparing their generators. Even last year in Tropical Storm Irene, which wasn’t considered to be particularly severe, we were without power for five days.
Those of us without generators lost all the food in our freezers, and couples up and down our street were getting mighty sick of each other by the time the power came back on.
My vegetable garden has been put to bed, so we only have to take a few things off the deck and tie down the lawn chairs. I bought a bunch of batteries, we have a camp stove, and there are 12 of gallons of water downstairs just in case.
Of course, Sandy is now the main topic of conversation in Rhode Island, as harried workers haul one boat after another out of the water at the five marinas here.
We always think we have everything under control until one of these monsters approaches. Then we realize how ridiculously powerless we are. The last major hurricane to hit Rhode Island was “Bob,” a Category 3. It’s unlikely that Sandy will turn out to be a big deal here, but we still have to be ready, just in case it moves a teensy weeny bit to the north. Either way, we’re in for a couple of days of high wind and lots of rain.
I’ll keep you posted.
Digging RI 
Last year our rain barrel (which is nice enough for summer garden watering) came in very handy as a source of water for flushing the toilet. Also, whatever spare room there is in the freezer we pack with 2-liter water bottles, to help keep things frozen and/or cold when the power fails. Other than that, I’ve cleared the gutters of fallen leaves, the wine is in the cellar, and just need to put a cement block on the beehive and bring in some firewood.
LikeLike
I still can’t get a feel for how bad this one’s going to be. I guess no one can.
LikeLike
Way off topic, but rain water harvesting is a forgotten practice that should be brought back.
LikeLike
I tell you, Sandy brings back memories of Bob, which I covered for the Los Angeles Times. Here’s hoping Sandy takes it easy on us. Meanwhile, I’m going out to batten down some plants.
LikeLike
Well, I’l be covering this one. I do wish I could just stay home and wait it out.
LikeLike
Too bad you can’t empty the fridge and visit Montreal.
Looks like it’s going to come ashore south of you. Keep an eye on http://www.nhc.noaa.gov.
Good luck.
LikeLike
We live in such a beautiful area and it brings its challenges occasionally….we will as usual prepare and wait it out….it is never easy to view the damage, and hopefully we will be somewhat spared. Garden is put to bed and flowers are almost gone…not quite….so we still have a day to enjoy the view. “think positive gang”…..have a great weekend and LOVE THE BLOG.
joyce
LikeLike
Thanks Joyce. Fingers crossed.
LikeLike