The last week has been a blur and a mix of really delightful things and really stressful things. I am thankful for the joyful things and at the same time thankful the stressful things are behind me.
Last weekend I was on the phone with my son when we both heard a gun shot. It was from the apartment below him. His children were there with him, so, terrified, we hung up so he could tend to making sure his children were safe. The police arrived in numbers. I will not go into all the details, but we both agreed he should pack up the children and head to our house for the weekend. After three stressful hours, they arrived at our house.
This is the reality of life in America and it is frightening. Fortunately, no one was hurt or killed, but shots had been fired. You never really get to know the outcome of things like this. Even if people were arrested, how long until they were back on the street and absorbed into the extremely overcrowded system of justice – if that. Thankfully, my family is okay.
We had a good weekend after they arrived. I was so thankful my grandchildren were here and out of such a stressful situation.
Tuesday, we had tickets to go to the Baltimore to see the da Vinci exhibit. It was interesting and lovely. It is a way to expose the masses to the art of the masters, but it is nothing like seeing the original paintings. Still, enjoyable and well documented as to da Vinci’s life and his work. Afterward, we had lunch at a pub on the grounds where I enjoyed fish and chips and hubby enjoyed a pork burger, followed by an ice cream sundae at the Biltmore Creamery.
Wednesday, stress was back as Hurricane Ian was approaching landfall on the coast of Florida. Knowing you have loved ones in the path of such a tremendous and powerful storm leaves you with a feeling helplessness. We have all read and seen the devastating effects of the storm which makes me doubly thankful all my friends and family are safe. There were so many who were not so fortunate.
Friday, the remnants of Ian were scheduled to arrive in our area. I had plans to meet my friend for lunch so we forged ahead. It was so nice to enjoy a meal together and just chat. We both agreed to make an effort to get together more often.
By Friday afternoon, Hurricane Ian had turned headed north of Charleston where we have more family. Some only experienced heavy rain, but some had flooding in their yard and a major roof leak from the intense rain. Thankfully, no one was injured, but there will be lasting ramifications.
It will take years to recover from the property damage Ian left in its wake. In some areas, I am not sure how things could possibly ever return to ‘normal’. After hurricane Charley hit our community in 2004, people lived with blue tarps on their roofs for years. Materials will be scarce and expensive. Add that to our already stressed supply chain and the picture is a bit grim.
In two weeks, I am flying to Florida to visit my family. The last time I visited, we all got sick, so this is our “do over”. I will go get my Covid bivalent booster before I fly. Thankfully it is a short one-hour flight and I will, as always, wear a mask regardless of what others do.
I hesitate to say I will be back to a normal blogging schedule again, but I will definitely catch up and respond to all the outstanding comments.
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