Here we go Again

It's almost common, the preparation for threatening weather. Today, I find myself thinking about "where are the batteries" knowing that we could lose power during the storm. Darn, my freezers are full to capacity, of course. If outages are prolonged, we will have yet another mess.

Time to put it into prospective, glad it is not winter when we, if we lost power, could freeze. Texas is experiencing 100 degree temperatures. What an unpleasant situation that would present if our air conditioners were not functioning with all our humidity on a hot August day.

My woods are cool and never seem to be completely dry, even during hot, dry spells. Lots of beautiful ferns are growing there. Weather preceding the impending storm, Irene, will provide even more rain to saturated conditions.

This is a state of ample water systems, both natural and "man made". Some have been developed as a result of the last flood here in 1955. As a result of hurricane Diane, bridges were also constructed. The stability of even older bridges are questionable.

Mostly, there is a dam that holds water systems back from flooding the town. The surrounding land provides an escape for the water flow from the towns of Brimfield, and Sturbridge, which swell the Quinnebaug River, as well as from Charlton and other many brooks. I've seen it at times, overflowing into the roadway--full up.

That dam has been maintained and hopefully, will be strong enough to endure yet another hit. My folks told me stories of the '38 hurricane, in which many chicken coops flew threw the air with the chickens inside them. Can't even imagine that happening and what it would look like today as we no longer have coops around? My concern will be the uplifting of trees, as I live on a hill. We are located in a valley. I remember well what a flood can do. Get out of it's way if you can. The tornado missed us in June, but the 'Nor'easter' blew the tiles off of our roof this winter. I did not feel the earthquake of late, but Irene has me feeling a little uncomfortable. She could become a category four hurricane.

Time to prepare by doing laundry, and other household chores. And, to check to see if small items can be stored inside, along with the car. That means cleaning up the garage. Ugh! Just what will I do with the trash receptacle that the town has provided and, fits nowhere? The one that I had to chase down the street last time, (during a freezing Nor'easter), picking up the trash that it dumped everywhere! There obviously is allot on my mind.......

Getting a moth stuck in your ear

Many stories of unpleasantness were found in yesterday's news, but this headline really struck home with me. Of all the unpleasant things that could and did happen, having a moth in your ear really has to stink.

How do you remove it? It must drive you crazy, that is if it is alive. The earthquake was surprising and again proves how vulnerable we are...technology and all. Luckily, tall buildings were still standing and little known damage occurred.

Aftershocks were noted and we all feel safe once again. But are we? We have been shaken and so have our foundations, leaving us less secure for the next hit, which is the impending hurricane, Irene. She poses immeasurable danger to many, especially those on the coast.

Yesterday, I recalled being in an earthquake building on the west coast when an earthquake of comparable size hit unexpectedly. Those who were with me, instructed calmness and told me to hang on to the thresh hold of a door, while office furniture rolled around the floor and blinds crashed from the left to the right side of the window. Rumbling sounds reminded me of subway trains and it was over as fast as it began, leaving the lights to sway. Preparedness was the key, having earthquakes in L.A. was somewhat a normal activity that people there grew up with.

Needless to say, on this the east coast, it was surprising, unexpected, and people are still reacting, somehow knowing that we, if we thought we were safe before this, know we will no longer be....And that includes the rare if anything, tornado of late. June 1st, was the same type of experience, one that visually, we will not forget soon, and never thought we'd get.

Today, I find myself thinking about the story of the three pigs. Do you remember it? Now the wolf is coming to blow the house down...Your house which may have "unknown" structural and hidden damage from the earthquake. Hurricane Irene.... is heading right in our direction, a category three. Waters which are usually cooled in this area are said to be unusually warm this year, meaning less of a chance for hurricane Irene to go out to sea and fizzle out. Are you prepared? Television wants to know if you are, with medications, water , flashlights, batteries, and food items? This time, you may want to take them seriously. I remember the fifty-five flood. Winds alone, can be devastating. Many of the dams in our area are weakened. The clock is ticking. We must face this with seriousness.

Why all of a sudden is there so much "unrest" and concern everywhere you look? Was it always there, or is someone trying to get our attention? You decide...

The three pigs were not equal in wisdom the story teaches us, yet, they all survived, not because they all had brick houses, but because they all had the common sense to stick together and in the end, the wolf went running away, having fallen into a hot pot. No matter who comes down your chimney, it's time to call on the only One that can and will save us, for His mercy and protection.