Saturday, September 9, 2017

This, Too, Is What A Hurricane Feels Like

Leon County, the county just to the west of us, has declared a volunteer evacuation for anyone who does not feel that they have the supplies or resources for at least 3-5 days of being unable to get to a store or live without electricity.
This is, of course, a worst-case scenario but it has added to the feeling of anxiety around here. At one point today I got a phone alert which literally said, "Evacuate immediately." I hear that it was a mistake alert sent in Jefferson County which is where I live.
It didn't help.

Everyone is on edge. People are snapping at each other and it's completely understandable. Throw in people being in closer quarters than usual and things can get unpleasant.

The problem is, is that this storm is not doing what it should be according to those who know. And among those, there is vast disagreement about how the storm is going to affect our area. I've read it could arrive as a Cat 3 or Cat 5 and I've also seen it said that no, no, it will only be somewhat like Hermine was last year but not as intense. And all of this depends on whether Irma slips back onto land as it travels northward which would deplete its energy or if stays on the nice cozy warm waters of the Gulf which would only strengthen it.

Well, it is what it is and it will be what it will be and I have people driving up from Tampa right now. The storm isn't supposed to hit the keys until daybreak tomorrow but we are already getting some light gusts. Mr. Moon spent all day long gathering up stuff outside and taking things to the trash. I wisely spent some of my time cleaning my old office space FOR ABSOLUTELY NO APPARENT REASON except that it's been needing doing for a long time and why not? It felt sort of good to get that done. And then, when I got the news about my dear Lisa-Lisa coming up with her mama and her children, I made soup. Of course.


I told Mr. Moon that I really hope we don't evacuate because I'd hate to leave that soup behind and lose it. 

Well, since I started this, the Ativan I took earlier has kicked in and I'm sipping a vodka, cranberry, pineapple, and tonic and I feel a lot less stressed. If you want to judge me about my mixing of meds and booze, you just go right ahead and do that. Meanwhile, I'm grateful to have some relief of the simmering panic I've been feeling all day although I just went into the kitchen to stir some spices and seasonings into the soup and the guy on the radio is warning us that things can be replaced but our families can not. 

Breathe. 
We're going to be all right. I can almost bet the ranch on that. 

Much love...Ms. Moon

21 comments:

  1. I've been glued to Florida evac orders all day (my aunt and uncle are in Ft Meyers and former students in St. Pete) and google told me Lloyd was in Leon county and I'm so glad to hear you are not in fact in Leon County. I hope Irma focuses her anger on Mar-A-Lago and magically spares the rest of the state. Stay safe. xoxo

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  2. We are exactly one mile from the county line. Your dream scenario is mine as well. All will be revealed. I hate that saying but sometimes it's all you can say.

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  3. Ativan and a fruity cocktail sounds about right for the current situation. The soup looks really good.

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  4. Ativan and vodka tonic sounds like just what you need. So many variables involved that affect the track and intensity of hurricanes that you can't really tell until it is too late to change your plans. But soup is good plan no matter what.

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  5. Glad the stress and anxiety have released their hold, no judgment here.xoxo

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  6. I say mix as needed with care. I do as needed. The soup looks marvelous.

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  7. We've been getting the band's for hours and a lot of tornadoes reported. It's a miracle we still have power. No judgement here, the unrelenting stress must be dealt with by any means necessary. Safe travels for your friend!
    Xoxo
    Barbara

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  8. been there, done that, over and over. hurricanes are a fact of life if you life along the Gulf Coast. nevertheless, they are dangerous. I want you to be safe and I will worry about you until it is over and you tell us you are OK. be safe Mary. Do what you need to do to be safe.

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  9. No judgment here... these are anxious times indeed! I have Friends in Florida and am so concerned about their welfare and safety. Be safe, enjoy the fab Soup you made and I pray you all are spared from the worst of this epic storm.

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  10. Sending good thoughts to you. I have been thinking about you and your family. We were in full prep for getting horses out and to Aiken. Then the boat had to be driven up river to a hurricane hole. Been on the road a lot in the last few days. We are sending love to you. Be safe.

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  11. Oh, a bowl of that beautiful soup would calm my soul. Add a couple of cocktails and things would definitely improve. You just do whatever it takes to remain sane and hang on. Been listening to a lot of Jimmy Buffett today for some reason and "Trying To Reason With Hurricane Season" is a good one to listen to I must say. I'm filled with nerves and anxiety for beautiful Florida and all it's beloved Floridians. I can't stand the thought of a single hair on the head of a Moon family member being hurt.Please.Please.Please. May all be well. Sending love.

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  12. no judgement from me, sister! I just want a big wad of opium to get me through the next ten years or so. My thought are with you of course, on the edge .... dear gawd!

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  13. We are there with you holding a golden circle around you, the family and the friends. Sending love. N2

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  14. Mix up a sane amount of drug/alcohol combos for the duration.

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  15. No judgment, and I hope it goes as well as possible in your neck of the woods. Please keep blogging how you are doing. .

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  16. As a former nurse, my professional judgement would have been to take 2 Ativans with a very generous vodka tonic, or, whatever you figured was necessary!

    You remain in my thoughts, dear heart.

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  17. I wasn't crazy about the call for a voluntary evacuation here. It's easy to see how everyone is on edge and I'm sure that it didn't help much. Even my neighbor said that it made his wife and daughter panic some. We'll make it through. Somehow we always do.

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  18. Definitely no judgement. Thinking of you and sending love and best wishes to you and your family.
    Laura X

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  19. Booze n meds are my go to stress reliever. Love from across the pond Maggi

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  20. That soup looks terrific. I think a mix of meds and booze is probably just what the doctor ordered right about now.

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  21. This is a really good idea that you have going on. manufacturing
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Tell me, sweeties. Tell me what you think.