Lessons From Ike
1) The generator I was thinking about buying a couple of months ago? That would have been nice to have. And maybe one of these too. If I had to choose between water and air conditioning, I'd choose air conditioning. One more night without power and I'd have slept in my car with the engine running.
2) When there is no electricity, ice is the next best thing. Ice is worth waiting in line for several hours to obtain.
3) If you have a headlamp, then you don't have to hold a flashlight in your teeth when you pee.
4) Despite the tragedy and inconvenience of hurricanes, I still enjoy them. As an extreme weather junkie, I feel energized by their awesome power. The aftermath of a disaster helps us to view (and live) our lives with a new perspective. Sitting in a dark hot room listening to a radio by candlelight makes me appreciate the simple conveniences I usually take for granted. I especially enjoy watching the community come together to help their neighbors afterward. With the political climate heating up, it is refreshing to see people unified for a change.
The weaker trees were blown down and will be replaced by new ones, while the stronger growths survive another season. Similarly, many of the dilapidated old buildings were washed away; some will be replaced by new construction, and some areas will perhaps not be redeveloped at all. Despite their destructiveness, hurricanes ultimately make many things better.
2) When there is no electricity, ice is the next best thing. Ice is worth waiting in line for several hours to obtain.
3) If you have a headlamp, then you don't have to hold a flashlight in your teeth when you pee.
4) Despite the tragedy and inconvenience of hurricanes, I still enjoy them. As an extreme weather junkie, I feel energized by their awesome power. The aftermath of a disaster helps us to view (and live) our lives with a new perspective. Sitting in a dark hot room listening to a radio by candlelight makes me appreciate the simple conveniences I usually take for granted. I especially enjoy watching the community come together to help their neighbors afterward. With the political climate heating up, it is refreshing to see people unified for a change.
The weaker trees were blown down and will be replaced by new ones, while the stronger growths survive another season. Similarly, many of the dilapidated old buildings were washed away; some will be replaced by new construction, and some areas will perhaps not be redeveloped at all. Despite their destructiveness, hurricanes ultimately make many things better.
Labels: hurricane, Texas, trials and tribulations
posted by scalpel at 5:00 AM
13 Comments:
Generators are nice during these times. Except when you have three gun-wielding men in one room who wake at 3:00am the instant the gas runs out in the generator and run outside to see if the all-powerful Generator God is being stolen by the unprepared neighbors from the next road over. It does make you appreciate the every day things, especially when you are not able to see in your closet at night because every last window had been blacked out by plywood. Or an ER doc such as yourself to stay and help those of us in need when husbands are covering said windows and fall, requiring 15 stitches to the leg. These times bring out the best that I have to give, even though my extended family has lost everything from rebuilding after Rita. Thanks for your posts; they brighten my day even when there are no lights on.
I give you a lot of credit for living through all of that.
I would have loaded up my truck and moved to one of the square states a long time ago.
Good wishes your way, my friend.
Scalpel, glad to see you safe!! big Hugs, Stacy...........
We don't have hurricanes up here! 'Course, when Rainier or Hood erupts, that will be a very very bad day...
Good luck with the clean-up.
glad you're safe.
we had the aftermath of Ike up here in ohio, and i was working on our LifeFlight helicopter on Sunday when it blew through...
we had like 70 mph gusts, and when we were tying down the helicopter, we watched a ton of transformers across the street blow, creating a huge blackout.
unfortunately, we were grounded, and could not respond to the call to transport a 10 year old that was ultimately killed by a falling tree.
I'm glad you're OK. We were all worried about you.
Hugs, MJ
Scalpel lives.....yes!
I'm glad to hear your alright Scalpel and I appreciate your perspective of what's important. Had to chuckle at the flashlight in teeth image though. Never would've thought of that. :)
My aunt and uncle moved to Fairhope Alabama from NJ and in the late 70's there was a huge hurricane that they didn't evacuate for. My uncle thought since the house was entirely brick that he would just secure everything.
They were so scared and a huge tree came crashing through the roof right next to my aunt. Power out for a week or so. Gulf shores and everything destroyed.
From that point on...they used the hurricane tracking maps and ALWAYS evacuated.
I like Hurricanes too - but I don't think I would ever want to be in one. Good luck with the clean up and stay safe.
Did anyone see the picture of that one lone house standing after Ike went through?
The owners lost a house in a previous hurricane and so requested that the builder rebuild a house that could withstand a category 5. It looks fake standing amidst all the flattened debris.
3) If you have a headlamp, then you don't have to hold a flashlight in your teeth when you pee.
Sounds like you need one of these.
Don't strap it too tight, though; you wouldn't want to restrict the flow :)
Glad you are safe. Nice perspective. I would enjoy a hurricane also as long as I didn't live there!
That's funny kd5! LOL!
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