A SCARY NIGHT REVISITED

It's that night three years ago as I waited, all alone, for Hurricane Sandy; a repost.

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

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 outof 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.

TV Entertainment - Not Bad

Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara had me laughing.  Paul McCartney and Wings performed, playing and singing, “Mary Had a Little Lamb”. Delightful.  TV is entertaining me.  It's The Flip Wilson Show.   The 30-minute comedy, an episode first presented in October 1972 came to an end and another started. 

Lucky me, Flip Wilson has The Jackson 5 as guests.  It’s another October ‘72 show.  Michael Jackson was so small and quiet.  My first thought, he’s been told, “best to be seen and not heard.”  Of course we know that was far from the truth.

It was just the opening skit.

So I wait with pleased anticipation for their *musical number.

Other skits had Flip Wilson and David Steinberg playing off each other bringing a smile to my face.

It was a relaxing and pleasant second half hour  - watching ASPIRE TV.

In my area I’ve found ASPIRE on Channel 176. The network has provided a welcome look-back at television programming enjoyed years ago.

Even more so, ANTENNA TV (Channel 114),  has throwback television.  Several options cultivate my nostalgia for thoughtful writing and real life acting.   “Barney Miller” is a favorite. 

As I write this, I'm looking in on “Good Times”- beautiful.  Thelma got married.  I’ll admit “Good Times” was never a favorite of mine, too many problems for those good people, thus for me.  In fact, in this wedding episode Thelma’s brand new husband, scheduled to sign a mega-dollar NFL contract fell and broke his leg walking down the aisle after kissing his new bride.  (Somehow “J J” caused the unbelievable tragedy.)  Now new groom’s football contract may never be.  Prosperous good times for the family, once again, on hold.  Not fun!

Recently, “HOUSE” returned to the small screen.   WE TV (Channel 42 here) is showing reruns of the fabulous, acerbic, brilliant, scruffy, and somehow so romantic Doctor played by actor and musician Hugh Laurie.   

 

For sure, those few times I crave housebound escape from reality, I find television satisfactory entertainment.

Yes, reading a good book is also a wonderful diversion but you can do other tasks, such as writing a blog post while the TV talks in the background.

            ___________________________________

*The Jackson 5 with solos by Michael and (was that Jermaine?) sang “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing Baby”.          Nice.

The Bracelet

I‘ve lost it.  Today.

I had not worn it for a year and more, I’m sure.

This morning, searching my jewelry collection for another treasure, the bracelet came to mind.  Soon I was holding it, remembering.

It was a Christmas gift from my daughter and her family oh so many years ago.  Their spellbound attention as I opened the elegant package scared me.  What had they done?  Were they too extravagant?  It was a gorgeous, delicate, exquisite bracelet…. looked expensive – dainty, special. I felt I was all of the above when I wore that bracelet.

Then I lost it. 

We had driven to a cookout several towns away.  Hadn’t been too long comfortably settled when the loss was discovered.  Heartbreak.  Immediately everyone helped look for it.  Nothing.  Came home a sad lady that night.  The next morning, there on our driveway, it was found.  “Thank You Dear God.” Ever after I gave particularly close attention to the clasp.

Then I lost it again.

In New England at a Jurisdictional Meeting of United Methodist Women, leaving the auditorium, I felt a brisk and firm tap on my shoulder. 

“This was on the floor back there.  Could it be yours?”   We had exited our long row of theater seats.  Now heading into the lobby, I turned, puzzled.  A lady was holding my bracelet.  I hadn’t missed it.  Again, I uttered my prayer of thanks.

The bracelet was put away until a jeweler strengthened the clasp.  Still insecure, I fashioned a clear-tape wrap of the clasp; extra secure when I wore it; looked tacky but I decided no one would notice.  For sure, it wouldn’t fall off my wrist.  Until the day I knew I was wrong.  It was unsightly.  I quit wearing the precious bracelet – until today.   

And now, it is lost, possibly for the last time.  I wanted to find it, have one more chance to respect my bracelet; properly covet the special gift.  I would do a thorough search; first a phone call.

                       +       +       +       +      +      +      +

“Father Bill”, he said after acknowledging I had reached St. Vincent’s church.

Quickly I assured him there was no real problem I had just returned home from an AARP meeting in the church and a bracelet, a gift from my family wasn’t on my arm; a thin, single strand perhaps antique gold filigree chain sprinkled with perhaps the tiniest diamond chips . . .  

“And very special to you,” Father Bill softly interrupted, moving right along to say, “I’m going out into the hall and meeting room right now to look for it….”I’m going right now,” he firmly repeated.   He didn’t hang up.  I didn’t hang up.  I didn’t dare.  Then there was the dial tone.  Disconnect had happened.  I waited another 10 minutes or so and redialed. 

“I had just called about a lost bracelet and spoke with Father Bill.  I was holding but the phone disconnected.”  

“Yes,” the voice on the other end said.  “I am Father Bill.  The bracelet wasn’t there but some of the members are still here.  I spoke with Dr. Danvers.  They will be on the look out.  Where did you park?  I will check the parking lot”.  Father Bill asked for my number.   “I’ll let you know.”  My anxiety about the bracelet disappeared.  I was at peace.

I had found a person of God who easily ministered to my distress.     

“Thank You Dear God for I found what I needed.“