Hello Hermine!!

Surprise, surprise for SA today. TS Hermine cut eastward early this morning. Her eye was over my house a few minutes ago. I had forgotten that eerie quiet. Newscasters are saying this is SA's first to still have storm strength winds. The gusts, which have started up again now, are about 45 mph. The rain is solid sheets blowing straight across, and has been since about mid-morning.

I've sat through three hurricanes, and lost count of tropical storms, living in south and southeast Texas all these years, but never expected this much here. Still have power, and a new battery in my laptop. I live on a hill, so my house won't flood. Pantry is stocked for a day or so.

Problem is, she wasn't supposed to be here. Schools stayed open, and it's going to be hairy getting the kids home. Since my daughters are both educators, they will be out in the middle of stuff. That cuts into the fun part. I'm sure they will be OK, but will be glad to have this one get through.

Ann

Well, it's been an interesting day. All calm now - no wind or rain left. She left a few minutes ago - gone as suddenly as she arrived, about 10 this morning. By 1:00 pm the winds were steady at 40 mph with gusts around 60. The power blipped off a few times, but came back on right away. This little house was getting all sorts of bumps, but I've looked around outside, and it looks like there was no harm done, and except for some closed roads from high water, the buses should be able to get the kids home from school just fine. It's too early to check on Lynn and Susan, but I feel sure they're OK.

Apparently the storm veered eastward and picked up speed this morning. It's unusual for that to happen this far inland.

What a way to blow in cooler weather.

Ann

And I'm sure all the lawns benefited from the rain.

I know now the origin of "sod" -- my grass is sodden.

My grass is sodden, too. It will probably start to grow again before it gets dry enough to cut, but that's OK. It's raining again - hard, but no wind. The aquifer will get a good soaking, too. Everything balances out in the end. I just hope no one tries to drive in the low areas. People die here, trying to do that. With the hills as they are, water can come rushing down pretty suddenly.

Right now, I am feeling quite pleased with myself for quitting the tutoring job. I would be out in this messy stuff if I hadn't.

Hope everyone of you guys have had a good day.

Ann

Ann I am so glad no damage was done.

Welcome to my world. We sweat out hurricane season every year. Just now I'm looking at a flat tire on my RV--our escape vehicle--and making plans to have it repaired. (Not a simple backyard task when you have a bus.)

I wish you all lived in WA state. Our weather is generaly less extreme.

Al, I know that world very well. As I said in my OP, I lived most of my life near the southeast Texas coast. I rode out my first hurricane when I was 14. Later, I wrote a poem about it. I've posted it on the poetry board:

http://www.publishedauthors.org/poetry-f23/lady-audrey-t5709.htm#72245

Ann

Ann,

You are so talented.