Blowin’ in the Wind

What’s on the iPod: Where the Streets Have No Name by U2

The rain has just started more steadily, and the wind is beginning to pick up a bit of urgency. All night the stillness was deafening, and somewhere before dusk yesterday the birds seemed to have disappeared from sight and sound. Sandy is arriving.

We have both food and spare water as we just had a big party Saturday that filled the refrigerator with leftovers and extra juices. The big beverage urn the step-daughter bought for the party is now full of water. Just in case.

Their trains and flights were canceled yesterday, so we have the pleasure of their company for another day, maybe more. The electric that is spotty here on a good day is sure to fail us today or tomorrow. So cell phones are charged and the land line is plugged into the wall should the need arise.

The weekend was a flurry of activity. I started Friday evening, after we’d come home from Nazareth and Bethlehem (seriously!) where we dropped off his guitar for repair and had a lovely lunch at a favorite tea room. At home, I got to work making three of the eventual five dips for the Samhain/Halloween party. Saturday, I took the time to enjoy a cup of chai at Starbucks and a quick spin around Old Navy with my daughter before coming home to cook, plan decorate, etc. I spent three hours on my feet in the same spot in the kitchen, then I gave in to the kids and let them put together the party trays and get the food I’d just made onto surfaces throughout the house. They themselves prepared things, shopped three times for me, and supplied the party with beverages and fried chicken (of which there wasn’t a crumb left).

The party was a success. We had neighbors, friends, and friends of our children there filling the house with warmth and laughter. We also had costumes — by far my favorite was my neighbor’s hippie chick outfit. But one of my step-daughter’s friends showed up as a bag of weed. Okay… 😉

My own daughter hauled out her costume to peals of laughter and luckily no hurt feelings. She was a binder full of women (picture above). It was her fiance’s idea. His costume was a transformer (hidden in that box just above and to the right). He’s more creative than he realizes.

So now we wait and watch and listen and try to work while Sandy makes up her mind whom she will bother. I’m going to do a modicum of work (interview was canceled for other reasons) and then clean a closet, read a book, and putter. His work was canceled. Daughter’s and future son-in-law’s was not (odd). Considering how hard the wind is about to be blowing, I’m shocked. But perhaps they intend to let everyone go home early.

Wherever you are, I hope you have a safe, productive day. I for one take this storm as my license to be selfish in where my attentions are directed.

I’ll check in when and if I can. Those who know me will have my cell number and can leave a note in the comments here should I go without power for longer than a day. Those within the 800-mile swath this windy bitch is about to descend on, stay safe. Check in when you can, and always have an exit plan.

Now tea time. Even Sandy won’t interrupt my caffeine fix. 🙂