Monday, October 8, 2018

Hurricane Prep


Well, here we go. We are definitely not going to get out of this one unscathed. Although it's impossible to tell exactly where Hurricane Michael is going to "hit" as we call it, that doesn't really matter because it's going to probably be a Category 3 storm when it does which means wind speeds of 111-129 miles per hour and let me just say- oh god. That's so scary. That's tree-snapping, tree-uprooting, roof-lifting, frame-crumbling, power-lines-turned-into-spaghetti scary.
Even Rob Nucatola looks concerned and Jim Cantore is in Apalachicola.

And yet, I feel strangely calm. Talk to me tomorrow and let's see how I feel then. I could just be disassociating which is fine with me.

I went to town today to get supplies. The line of cars getting gas at Costco went all the way to the road which is a long way. All of the gas stations had long lines. I suppose this is because we may need to evacuate although probably not. The coastal counties are starting to issue orders though. I saw those lines and I said, "Nope. Whatever I got is good enough."
I went to a liquor store. I bought vodka. There was no line whatsoever which made me feel a little weird.
Then I went to Publix where I wandered around like a zombie and it appeared that everyone else was too. I bought stupid stuff like broccoli. I don't even like broccoli so I'm cooking it tonight to get it over with. I bought a Family Sized can of Campbell's tomato soup and two little silver cans of Le Sueur sweet young small English peas. Mr. Moon hates them but they were already on my list because I love them and eat them when he's out of town and by god, if we go starving he'll EAT THOSE PEAS AND BE HAPPY ABOUT IT! I got tortilla chips. I got Wheat Thins. I got beer. They were running low on beer but they had enough. They were out of bottled water though. I suppose I'll just fill up all my big pots and pitchers and the bathtub and hope that the Jefferson County water system has plenty of back-up generators or whatever it is they use if the electricity goes out. I also got a bag of cat food because I don't want Jack to kill and eat me if things get truly dire. We have eggs. I got five today alone.
I have bread and cheese as well as a lot of venison in a freezer. Mr. Moon is working with the generator right now. And he's moved vehicles around the yard so they are not directly under trees. Tomorrow I'll move porch plants to the wall. We're also supposed to move and secure things like outdoor furniture so that chairs and tables don't come flying through the windows. I have an old-fashioned percolator that Lis gave me that I can make coffee in on the gas stove. I have a ton of coffee. We have flashlights and batteries galore. The generator is sufficient for lights and a fan and to charge phones and to power the kitchen refrigerator and the freezer in the garage for a few hours at a time to keep everything cold and/or frozen. Hopefully. I have a landline which does not need charging.
Mr. Moon just informed me that he cannot find two full tanks of propane which he swears we have somewhere and that if he can't find them he's going to go to town to find some there. The generator runs on propane.
I live in a house which is 159 years old. It is built of heart pine and has survived many storms. It's two stories tall so if a huge branch falls off one of our massive oak trees onto the house, we have that extra protection. All of my kids seem to be safe and secure. We texted back and forth all day long like this:



 I love my family so much.

Lis called and invited us to come and stay with them. They live closer to the middle of the state. I love her for that. Among about a million other reasons.

Dearie showed up again this afternoon. She was on the bird feeder, her favorite place to eat. Jungle Fowl/Wild Bird seed.
Makes sense.
I hope that wherever she is nesting is hurricane proof. Like in the garage and not in a damn tree. Speaking of the garage, Mr. Moon just found the propane tanks behind his daddy's boat which is in the garage.
Phew.

Yesterday a friend of mine posted pictures of her just-baked no-knead bread and it looked so amazing that I mixed some up myself this afternoon. I figure I can get it baked before the storm.

Well, that's how we do it.

Time to go roast the broccoli and bake the sweet potatoes.

Love...Ms. Moon









34 comments:

  1. I hate broccoli too. As Newman says, vile weed!

    But I eat it. And cauliflower too. And all the other vegetables that are supposed to be healthy. I actually eat a lot of vegetables but they have never made me happy or excited.

    Chocolate does. And chicken wings.

    I’m holding space for you and your family. Stay dry. Stay warm. Stay safe.

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    1. "I actually eat a lot of vegetables but they have never made me happy or excited."
      Exactly. Unless we're talking about maybe potato salad.
      Thanks for your good thoughts, Birdie. We'll be fine.

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  2. yes, this one looks like it won't miss you.....although I hope it won't be devastating. You are as prepared as one can be....... I will watch weather and keep you and yours all in my heart for safe keeping
    Susan M

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    1. Thanks, Susan. And remember- the Weather Channel is always over-the-top with dire predictions. So don't worry too much.

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  3. Brussels sprouts are worse! You take care.

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    1. God. You are right about that. All those recipes for people who hate Brussels sprouts? They suck too.

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  4. Well dammit! I know that zombie feeling all too well followed by the panic of trying to remember every last thing to keep us safe. When we were looking at Irma last year, made sure we could fit everyone in a closet in case the roof did go. Then the real misery of no power. You wrote so truthfully about that last year. Hope the propane turns up. Your kids crack me up so hard, May made me snort! Stay safe, bless Lis! You’re welcome here if you want to go way south. Lighting candles for y’all.
    Xoxo
    Barbara

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    1. Thanks, Barbara. Yeah, we have that tiny closet under the stairway that we've considered hunkering in if things get really rough. The propane turned up. May's a hoot. All my kids are. Florida. Why? Why do we live here?

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  5. End of the day, thought occurred to me, I have not dropped in on Mary yet...so here I am, the bread smells delish, and I am here to tell Michael he can fuck right off- let my people be!! Fingers crossed that all is well and will be well for the next long time. LOVE

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    1. Thank you, dear Linda Sue. Looks like the storm might be heading west a little bit. This may or may not affect us. It's always a situation where you just feel so helpless. We can't control it in the least and that's hard for humans to deal with.

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  6. Those texts are hilarious! My favorite is, of course, Lily's final one. Yes, it's weird and this is why I love her. I sure do hope the storm veers away from ya'll. I will pray to the good Lord Jesus that it does so.

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    1. Thank you. I am sure that the good Lord Jesus will shelter and protect us because he loves us. Also, Jebus, his lesser-known cousin. I have faith.

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  7. Good luck Ms. Moon....I'm sure you'll all be fine. It sounds like you're very well prepared. Please check in as you're able and let us know you're okay....ok? ❤

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  9. I'm in about the same shape as you. I'm calm about it this morning, but I keep second guessing myself and my preparations. Nothing left to do but ride it out.

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    1. Exactly. And as always, the waiting is the hardest part. (Cue Tom Petty.)

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  10. I echo what Hank said. I'm sure you'll all be fine, though it IS unnerving. Love the family dialogue! As you said, your house has been through this sort of thing before, and that's encouraging. I'd be a lot more worried some all-drywall new Pulte home in a modern subdivision. Keep us posted!

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    1. Yep. I have faith in my house but we all have so many trees. Vergil and Jessie have taken down a lot of the ones in their yard that were diseased. They are smart. They've planted some replacements but those are still tiny. We'll all be fine, I'm sure. (I keep saying that and I almost really pretty much believe it.)

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  11. Yikes! The earth echoing our world, my world. Sorry! You will be safe in your sanctuary. Lily is hilarious. XXOO

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  12. Thinking of you. Been through the drill here too. As long as you and your family are okay, all is good.

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    1. Syd! I think of you so often! I hope all is well with you and yours. Did Florence affect you? Thanks for coming by. I miss you.

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  13. stay safe young lady. we need you around here.

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  14. Vodka is essential. We survived four days of a storm surge plus landslide with Vodka. And singing at the top of our voices.
    Broccoli beats kale though. Any day.

    Oh Mary please stay away from the trees!

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  15. Mary, thinking of you all. Love your hurricane humor, and I sure do understand Lily's concerns. Please stay in rooms not overhung by trees. Love.

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  16. Now, how the hell do you loose not one, but two propane tanks? Anyway, I have prepared for many hurricanes in Louisiana when we lived there and for giant snowstorms or a close firestorm in Colorado. It never gets routine and I am always trying to smile for everyone else although, inside, I am scared shitless! Hang in there, missy!!

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  17. Those messages made me laugh so much. I love the Moon family sense of humour.
    Thinking of you all. XX

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  18. Fingers and toes crossed for you all...Those messages were a hoot!

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  19. I know the drill all too well also. You and yours are welcome here if you want to leave.

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    1. That was me, Gail. Sorry I forgot to sign it. I had dentist appt today so I'm a bit frazzled.

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