Hurricane Sandy

The hatches are battened down. We are waiting for the storm to hit. The Governor has declared a state of emergency asking schools, colleges, and businesses to close.

WPI closed, though The Youngest doesn't have classes on Mondays or Thursdays this term. (The more you pay, the less they go.) Her IQP group which was planning to meet at 2pm, will Skype the meeting provided everyone has electricity and Internet service.

Mass Bay closed so Himself and The Eldest won't have to go in. Since  a state of emergency is in effect, the cube farm where The Eldest works  will also be closed.

I convinced my elderly neighbor, Prissy, to go stay with her daughter. Actually, I frightened her out of her house. I told her if we lose electricity, it won't be for an hour or two, but will be for days. Her daughter has a generator. She called her daughter and her daughter came to pick her up.  I'm sorry Prissy, but it was necessary.

Though I feel twinges of guilt that my parents are in a nursing home, at times like this I am relieved. They are safe and extremely well cared for. I don't have to worry that Dad would suddenly decide to walk to the store for a gallon of milk or roaming the countryside in the dead of night during the storm. All the weebles are where they belong.

We have gas for the generator, and water to flush the toilet. (The joys of owning a well and having a septic system) Himself rigged up a rain bucket to capture more water for sanitation. The pumps are ready, and the shop vacs are standing by. We have essentials like water for tea, coffee, and chemical cream. Better living through chemistry. We'll be able to plug the small microwave into the generator. I managed to use up all the perishable food this week. If we are without electricity for days, we won't have to regret the loss of food in the refrigerator or freezer.  Cookies and a giant bag of Halloween candy (we usually don't get any trick or treaters) will round out bread, crackers, peanut butter, canned fruit and soup. We are safe.

No matter your weather, I hope you and yours are safe, too.