It's So EERIE - Hurricane Sandy is Here!

(As I begin writing this it is around 9 pm on Monday night, October 29, 2012.  I'll post when I get where there is electrical power.)

I’m sitting here in the dark listening to the vicious, scary wind and my battery-operated radio.  They’ve reported water is rising to higher and higher levels in lower Manhattan.  Water is gushing into the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel – unbelievable information.  I mean, it is totally unfathomable that such is actually happening, “looks like a water fall rushing into the tunnel” the news broadcaster said.

They report over a million people in New Jersey are without power.  I am one of them.

Wind gusts have exceeded the 75 mph we were told would lambast us.

Yes, Sandy came and the hurricane, unfortunately, has not fallen short of what was promised.  This disastrous weather event took some 65 lives in the Caribbean before heading north to scare me to death tonight. 

It’s reputation preceded its coming but I was ready.

Sunday on the way home from church I stopped at the market for a few items, primarily prepared mustard which I discovered I didn't have after shopping earlier in the week.  While there I picked up munching food, cheese, fresh fruit, and nuts.   

Earlier today as the wind velocity only hinted at what was to come, the lawn furniture was put in the garage.  The garbage can and all flowerpots were secured behind closed doors.  I brought my car out of the garage just incase of a power outage affecting the garage door opener.  The wind activity picked up.

Photo taken this morning- no danger.

An hour or so later a tree limb whipped out of the huge sycamore tree in my back yard and slammed onto the new fence, damaging it. I called my daughter and told her I was going out to take a picture before removing the limb.  She insisted, “Mom, stay inside!”   Reluctantly I did.

Sometime after 4 pm I was comfortable on my couch, talking on the telephone sharing the unique weather information with friends and family, some live in the area of the storm and some did not.  I was fine.   That feeling would not last.  I fell apart, lost confidence in me, my situation, and in the condition of my health.

As I write this, I’m once again feeling fine.  I’ve overcome thinking I might have a heart attack.  Yes, all at once I became terrified by the wind slamming through the trees, against the house, and insistently rattling windows and doors.  Why would I fall apart emotionally when I hadn’t been frightened at all listening to TV’s news and weather people who obviously spoke with urgency designed to incite listeners to action.  I was calm through all their hysterical warnings.  After all, my house, built in 1910 is a sturdy structure as old homes are when they are well built and well taken care of.  I felt secure and sheltered in the center of the home, which is free of windows.  Fright did not overtake my sensibilities until around dusk when the lights began to flicker.  Then I lost it.   My left arm ached. I found myself gasping for breath. I panicked to the point that I scurried to get a couple aspirins into my system.  “Please don’t have a heart attack,” I pleaded to me as I gulped down a glass of water.

My anxiety continued.  I needed a strong drink!   Would alcohol after the aspirin be dangerous to my health?  A quick telephone call to a sensible friend gave me courage to enjoy a rum and coke.  My emotional state improved significantly.

Of course Super Storm Sandy (evolved from Hurricane Sandy) would proceed to put many people in New Jersey and New York City in horrible situations.  My problems amounted to nothing, compared to others.

It is now the ‘day after’.  The sun shone brightly and I took my car out and found the means to upload this post. 

Shortly,  I’ll head back through streets without traffic lights to my dark home in a city that is essentially totally dark.  The latest report is there are now 2,300,000 people in New Jersey without power.  It is estimated we will be inconvenienced for several more days.  I have flashlights, the radio and an ice-packed cooler preserving foods that require such.  There was no damage to my home.

For all the angst I experienced, I’m thinking, I have been truly blessed throughout this ordeal.

May you and yours be well.

Like Life

BEAUTIFUL BUT NOT PERFECT

May you have a gorgeous day.

A Day To Remember

Caring, yet self-centered Scorpio I am, I confess.

I’ve done nothing but cater to me and I’m lovin’ it.

 

I’ve taken my meds; eaten only healthy food; talked to friends and family, yet ……

I haven’t even gotten dressed to leave the house.

This mornings Weekly Wednesday Weigh-In was grrrrrreat.

The past seven days I didn’t gain any weight.  Whew!

Today, I’ve remained inside surrounded by communication technology – cell, laptop, Tablet, TV.

Sitting in this ultra-comfortable chaise lounge, I am connected with the world – the good and the bad.

I’ve prayed, I’ve laughed, I cried.  (Some of the news was almost unbearably sad.)

And, I’ve been told I am loved.

Today I want no more.

I am the proverbial 'happy camper'.

Thank You Dear God.

The Calm B4 The Storm

Today a morning headline read something like, “Should Romney be a reserved participant so as not to lose newly acquired supporters?"  It referenced the third presidential debate being aired at 9 pm tonight.  CSpan is my preferred network.

I’m thinking will viewers/listeners really ‘think’ about what they hear tonight?   Will they remember and contemplate what they have heard throughout the campaign season as well as in each debate?

Campaigning is expensive.  Perhaps it's costly because many varied presentations are required just to get everyone's attention.  My hope is voters truly listen with blinders removed.  I do.  

Still, I’m thinking why does electing the President who will lead this country the next four years have to cost what it apparently does?  Don’t you find the numbers almost unbelievable to fathom?   Who gets to know where the dollars are spent.  Who receives the money, as income to their accounts?  How can an ordinary citizen find out?  Oops, I've digressed!

Lately I find myself thinking who will be the best Commander-in-Chief of our volunteer military personnel who sacrifice self, family and loved ones for our well-being - to keep the nation safe?

But I also think about the tremendous challenge it is for a dedicated ‘wannabe’ and a leader who has come through the fire to give so much of their lives and want to work diligently for us.  I’m thinking, why do they do it?  I’m thinking how grateful I am that quality people have the courage to lead, and lead with intelligence, compassion for all, patience, courage and credibility.

For sure, everyone must VOTE!   (And, I mean all who are eligible to vote, no matter their candidate of choice.)

I’m thinking, I want to stay going forward as we have since 2009.  Yes, I like President Barack Obama.  I am not at all calm waiting for this third debate tonight.

How about you?    

EXCITING DEBATE

Last night's second presidential debate had me on pins and needles.  My first tweet captured the stress.  "Just tuning in! Didn't know if I could take (it).  Hate WAR! And it was looking vicious!"  

Their energetic, finger pointing, almost stepping on toes exchange has me appreciating this brief hiatus before Monday's third debate.  Truthfully, I wouldn't be  disappointed if it's cancelled.  

I’ve had enough drama, enough in your face action aiming to prove who's best qualified to be our President and collaborate effectively with world leaders.  I'm thinking I've heard enough. What else is there to know about former Governor Romney and incumbent President Obama?  The information shared is repetitive.  My thoughts are it’s all been said before – many times.

I was puzzled after the first debate.  Both candidates seemed unreal. Romney exhibited an energy level I had never seen.  But I was most concerned about his opponent.  “Why did the well-informed, passionate, always invested President Obama apparently disengage – almost superficially debate his opponent?”  

The answer I determined and absolutely understand?   That debate was held when President Obama simply had to give priority attention to his presidential duties.  To ignore or delegate was not on the table.  Therefore, our President approached the 90 minute obligation with a plan.  He would be present, listen, consider the point and offer his perspective just as he has done on the campaign circuit these many months.    I'm thinking, ultra critical White House concerns at the time were uppermost on his mind.   (Click on and read my October 6th blog post, “The Debate vs. Minding the Store”).   

Debate performances are learning experiences as they do vary – the delivery (body language/tone) of each combatant’s position on issues  differs from one event to the other.  Another point is their linking vignettes, perhaps off-the-cuff observations can invite new insight into the speaker’s true self.  (Romney including single motherhood in the gun control discussion was my memorable head shaking moment last night.  “What?”) 

Unfortunately, for me, a pessimist in many ways, rather than optimizing the learning opportunity of each debate, watching is like watching a train wreck.  I anticipate the agony of residual disaster – someone making a strategic mistake.   "Please don’t let it be my candidate."  After all, in any contest, the reason for one persons jubilation is the cause for the others misery.   Immediately though, when Mr. Romney, made his case, invoking single motherhood and gun caused tragedies as contextual factors, I gained new information.  It was about the man’s judgmental standards, which I was unaware of before that debate.

And, the debates may encourage more citizens to become involved in the election process; to get out and vote.  If so, that is the greatest thing.  It's reason enough to continue inviting everyone throughout America to be engaged in learning about the candidates via radio and televised debates.  What are your thoughts?

Learning does happen so debate number three shouldn't be cancelled.  In fact, I'll watch their final debate this Monday, October 22^nd.   I’ll tolerate any anxiety I might suffer and be open to gathering new information.   Of course, I plan to Vote on November 6th.  I hope you'll Vote also.  It is important that we all Vote.

God Talk

I talk to Him regularly even though I don’t get to church every Sunday.   Yes, He is a He to me. 

Today I immersed myself in the teaching of several preachers of the word, folks who profess to know Him well enough to tell me what He wants of me.  I did not know any of them . . . just found each today.

Yes, my church this Sunday was from the TV.

First a Bishop McClendon explained about the lives of Abram and his two brothers, all descendants of Noah  (Genesis  Ch. 10-13). Mainly he was preaching about Abram having been blessed while his brothers didn’t fare so well. One built the city of Babel. It wasn't a good thing.  In fact God ordered Abram to 'leave your country, your family . . .'  This was because, as the Bishop preached, those people did everything with no homage to God – while God must be given credit for being in charge of our lives.  Those who don’t give Him credit; those who act as if they do it all themselves, will not do so well. The Bishop said it, not me.  I’m okay with the lesson though.  I’ve always given God the credit.  I thank Him and I pray for strength.

The next program was an evangelist, last name, Murdock.  He told how God wants us to prosper.  He dramatically explained how we would prosper if we sent him (Murdock’s ministry) money.  I also heard him say ‘the instructions you follow determine the future you create’.  Well, I’m not sending Pastor Murdock any money.  However, there was a takeaway for me. His ministry included, ‘It’s very easy to impress God – just reach for Him.’  I’m thinking – good reminder and something I try to do anyway. 

A Jewish Bible Study program soon followed; Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis taught from the Torah.   I heard how important it is for Jews to live God’s covenant.  She cited evidence of God fulfilling his promise to the Jewish people having brought them through the horror of the holocaust and from all over the world back to Israel.  It not being Saturday, I was surprised the program was on today.

Later, a Raymond Arroyo had a segment interviewing Kevin James, who stars in a movie just opened this weekend, “Here Comes the Boom”.  As the rather lengthy interview ended, Mr. Arroyo asked his guest how he wanted his three daughters to remember him as a parent.  Kevin James said he wasn’t concerned about that.  If his daughters would always know their Creator and keep Him close in their lives, that was enough for him.  

Even though I didn’t go to Church this Sunday, I feel churched.

And, this week, I’m going to the movies.  I hope to see “Here Comes the Boom”.