right now

right now

Aug 23, 2011

The countdown starts...

Well, here we go again...looks like I'm going to be pretty busy the next 5 days or so as we prep and wait for Hurricane Irene.  She's set to hit us darn near directly as of this morning, and not as a wimpy Category 1 storm either, she's expected to make landfall as a Cat 3 or even 4, which would be devastating for anything in her path.  I've been through it before many times, and it's not the storm itself that I worry about, but the aftermath.  The downed trees, no electricity (we've gone up to 9 days here before), no fuel or ice to be had... that's the stuff that I worry about.  I hope you can bear with me the rest of the week as I get behind on reading everyone's posts and blog about random stuff since I probably won't be doing any gardening or fall planting until after she passes.  Hurricanes are like hired help in the fall garden, I've had all my summer stuff not only knocked down, but completely ripped out and blown away so I don't have to do it, LOL!  The important part is to clear the way for her, so I'll be ridding the garden beds of piles of tomato cages, stakes, and anything else that might appear later as jewelry sticking out of house siding or people's limbs.  

Know what's going on here?  


Popcorn popping is a real treat in this house, since the smell of it makes me ill it doesn't happen too frequently, but when I say "ok", it becomes a major event.  As soon as Sprocket hears the air popper start whirring, she takes her place... our popper is known for shooting popcorn all over the kitchen LOL, great fun for neurotic herding dogs with no sheep!

I went outside this morning to try and get all I can harvested before Irene takes them for herself...


I have loads of Ancho Peppers and Butternut squash that is still out there ripening, I figure I can give them until Friday evening before they need to come in to be put up somehow before the storm.  Now I'm off to gather "stuff"... we're good on all things pretty much thanks to my prepper personality, but things need to be organized like putting lamp oil and candles in strategic places and packing the car with camping supplies, water, food, dog food, important papers, fuel, etc should the need arise to leave.  Leaving here is not generally something we do since we essentially live on an island with only tunnels and bridges leading to higher ground, so anyone evacuating will most likely be stuck in traffic and run out of gas before they get anywhere LOL.  Plus, the bridges and tunnels are the first things to close due to high winds, so any evacuation orders are usually made too late, or way too early.  Will be busy doing outside prep this week like hauling out the generator and locking it up with cables, filling as many fuel cans as we can and lashing down things like trash cans and lawn furniture.  

Maybe if one good thing can come from all this, the blighted soil and the insect laden plants will blow away and I can start the 2012 summer garden with nothing evil harboring within LOL!

21 comments:

  1. I remember last year when you went thru this and it actually made me nervous! Get the bear spray ready...Erin's packin'!

    Never thought of the blighted soil that way! That really could be a nice plus.

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  2. Take care - am thinking of you and hoping for the best outcome...

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  3. Buckle down and ride it out, farmgirl! Sending positive vibes your way.

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  4. one of these days ,remind me what happened last year since I was only a sparkle in my husbands eye than--lol I FIRST HEARD OF Irene YESTERDAY AND THOUGHT OF YOU AND JANE ,NOW I WILL HAVE TO WATCH THE NEWS CLOSELY [ HEY ,MY HUBBY HAS FOX ON all day ] to make sure you gals and your family's are alright and now I HAVE TO GO PULL UP Irene ON A MAP AND SEE WHAT DIRECTION SHE''S HEADED TAKE CARE

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  5. Now lets talk about this popcorn smell thing. Are you talking microwave popcorn, cause yes that crap does smell awful or real popped in the pan popcorn? That is one of those smells that I have never heard of anyone not liking. Very interesting. Did you have a bad experience at a movie theater?

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  6. Oh wow that sounds like one powerful storm coming your way. I hope you stay safe. It sounds like you are well prepared for these types of storms. I hope Irene is more bite than bark for you and that she blows all the blighted soil and nasty bugs away from your garden!

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  7. We're keeping a close eye on Irene too. Hoping it'll pass us all by.

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  8. I am glad you are so organized and calm about it. I would be running around like a headless chicken! The blowing-away of nasty bugs is a great idea - just not up here! I got my own nasty bugs!! Hoping that it fades down to a manageable strength. Do keep us updated, as we worry about y'all.

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  9. Hope you stay safe and will be watching the news to see how you all are! (Which is a pretty big deal...because I DO NOT watch the news!!)

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  10. I'm not sure where you are Erin but I HOPE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ARE SAFE-WE JUST HEARD ABOUT THE EARTHQUAKE

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  11. You have got to be the most prepared person on the planet, Erin. But you know what they say . . . if you're prepared for the worst, it won't happen. So we're all planning on that being exactly the case for you over the course of Irene's wrath. I used to be scared to death of tornadoes in Illinois, but I think your weather situation would freak me out more.

    Methinks you'd better get your olfactory nerves checked, Girl. NOBODY doesn't like the smell of popcorn!

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  12. Are you Ok from the earthquake?? We felt it here!

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  13. Thinking of you guys with all of Mother Nature's madness. Stay safe.

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  14. In a way it sounds very scary knowing the storm is coming - on the other side, at least you can prepare as much as possible since you've had some warning. I'll be thinking about you and hope you guys will be safe!
    I'm glad to hear that I am not the only one that can't stand the smell of popcorn. Don't like the smell nor the taste.

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  15. What the heck??! An earthquake? Are you okay? Just put up a little post saying you weren't bothered so we can all stop worrying, okay?

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  16. oh, my, I sure hope you ALL--well, except the blight and the insect-invaders--emerge unscathed!

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  17. Sounds like troublesome help you guys get. Thorough-making though.
    Hang in there.

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  18. Hope you all are OK after the big shake-up out there. And that Irene is kind. I'll be thinking of you. Stay safe.
    Judy

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  19. You all were so kind to be checking in to see about that quake - too bad I didn't know what anyone was talking about until I got on Facebook - pretty anti-climactic I guess! Irene's another story, though.

    Sorry I can't respond to everyone tonight, still making lists!

    Dani, I'm thinking about you, too... hopefully you will be missed, Florida sure gets its share of big ones.

    Oh, and the popcorn thing.... Jane, can't stand the smell of any of it, pan popped, air popped, theatre stuff, and you're right about microwave, it's the absolute worst! Funny thing is that I can eat it! Ideally, I would get hubby to pop it outside at the back of the property and bring it in for me when it's done LOL...it seriously makes me nauseous!

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  20. Stay saaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaafe. Oops, there she went!

    No, really, all of you stay safe.

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  21. Haha, I love the popping corn photo! The dogs must love finding the ones that fly out. Irene scares the heck out of me. I'm so bummed because my garden is just getting going now. Argh.

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