Tag Archives: storms

Sheets of Rain

Zoe (the dog) and I got together on the bed to watch a violent thunderstorm. Most folks were in their basements. We had good media coverage until cable went out so I sat next to her on the bed and calmed her through the storm.

There’s another one going on now but it’s further away and not lightning right outside our windows. I love watching thunderstorms, have since I was eight years old. I’d mitered all the window frames and we had no shades or draperies so my sister and I sat up and watched a terrific storm while our cousin slept in the living room a few feet away. He slept, and ended up a sailor and now heads the largest shipping company in … wherever.

More storms are rolling in but not like the first. Oh, we don’t have a basement. We do have many solid floor-to-ceiling windows and are up high and on the other side of the storm. I know to go to the bathroom or downstairs garage if there’s a tornado. Perhaps sit in my car in said garage. With the dog.

The fog is coming back in and the winds have ceased for now but there’s still a weather advisory out. Time to check the weather. Hope you’re having an interesting day as well, Dee

 

Boxes

Going through boxes I haven’t seen in 15-20 years is both heartbreaking and illuminating. I found a box from Florence, Italy, in a traditional print. It’s a gorgeous construction and in the shape of a crescent moon.

I did slapdash packing in the old days, not like the regimented present. When I find a box like the Florentine paper moon, I think of my great-aunt Owee, who loved boxes.

But I don’t like moving boxes sitting in every room since our move six weeks ago, nor does my husband. I haven’t tackled the papers yet but every box is an emotional roller-coaster. My husband doesn’t understand that. He’s an engineer. Stuff is stuff.

While I have a grand plan to get what we want to keep/frame off the floor he just wants to get rid of my stuff. Problem is, I have to test document destruction destinations with less sensitive information than our taxes and private client files from even 15 years ago.

Years ago I asked my husband to never buy me anything little, even an engagement ring (we wear plain matching 18K wedding bands I ordered online from Blue Nile). But no collections of stuff that just needs to be dusted (figurines, etc.) and he has complied.

One good thing is that our storage unit is nearby and when we break down boxes, they recycle them to their other clients. I think that by the end of the month we’ll have finished the cycle of donate, shred, store and toss and will be able to live an almost normal life!

Oh, the winds picked up last night, nothing on news or weather locally, nationally, online or tv news and what I saw was amazing. There was a Coast Guard chopper hanging out in horrific winds herding all the boats in from Lake Michigan.

Trucks with boat trailers converged to pick up boats that were told to come in to the jetty. It was a massive operation, orchestrated at a moment’s notice. Still no rain but we’re supposed to have thunderstorms for a couple of days. Sun is shining at 6:45 a.m. but grey clouds are coming so I’d better get the dog out. Y’all have a great day! Dee

Great Storm!

What happens when you wash your car? It rains. What happens when your 15th floor windows have just been cleaned on the outside on a 1X per year plan? Bingo.

We have 12 floor-to-ceiling windows and a view of Lake Michigan. Now I can’t see anything and it’s the 2nd or 3rd round of lightning and thunder. Dog and husband are asleep and safe, I just love watching storms.

Yes, they both went to sleep at nine and awoke at 7 a.m. while I braved Hurricane Ike alone. The Mayor told us to stay put and all the skyscrapers 1/4 mile away had their windows blown out. Ours was the only loft of 140 that was not damaged.

We were across from City Hall so must have had some special powers in the electrical department as our power was only off for several hours. We had no water for five days, and no food or water to drink.

I wanted to stay in the bedroom but as long as we had power, I wrote, I blogged, and watched the hurricane’s force. Know that as we took in the haggard refugees of Katrina (New Orleans), that city didn’t offer a finger, much less a hand in friendship over those dark days.

Many years ago I underwent a month-long culinary apprenticeship in Mendocino CA and one of the waiters wanted to sublet his cabin. No heat, a wood stove, broken windows, privy lock on the front door. He left a mattress, sheets and a blanket next to the wood stove.

I had windows all around and no coverings so when a big storm came up I sat up on the kitchen counter and watched it. Nothing like a good storm. Cheers, Dee