I have not been able to write here since the day before yesterday. My brain has been frozen. I have been watching the weather news about Hurricane Irma live streaming on my phone because I don’t have t.v. Irma is coming up our way to the coast of the Carolinas but I have friends who are very dear to me in Florida that I am really worried about, and then the hurricane is supposed to sweep up into the Atlanta area — that’s where my son, and daughter-in-law, and grandbaby are — and then it is headed up our way to the coast of the Carolinas, and there is another hurricane coming along after Irma, and Texas has just been and still is going through horrors from Hurricane Harvey, and my tooth hurts so damned bad!!! Getting a blog post done in the midst of all of this was just impossible yesterday, and today, tonight, it’s now nearly 10 p.m.. But I’m here, I just wanted to be present for a few moments, I just wanted to tell you that if you are in the path of the hurricane I love you, and I’m praying for you, and would you pray for us too? (And I wanted to keep up with the September Writing Challenge With Effy Wild, I’m so ashamed that I missed yesterday!)
I’m trying to nudge my brain but it is as if mired in mud, unable to think any single thing. When I close my eyes I see the pattern of the hurricane swirling around and up and up and up because I’ve been watching it all day in a horrified kind of fascination. When you watch it happening it doesn’t seem real, when whole islands have been over 90% destroyed your brain just can’t expand enough to take it all in. I have kept thinking, “I’ve got to do a blog post BUT OH MY GOD LOOK AT THAT! as buildings and cars are swept away, and where are the people? And my friends are down there, and it’s headed for my family, and it’s coming this way! Maybe it’s just me but I’m not finding it conducive to writing a blog post.
So I drew my world today. Me, and a cup of coffee, and one of my pugs, and a tree because my house is surrounded by old trees and I love them and they’re beautiful and I hope they’ll still be standing by the end of the week. And a clock at 9:00 when I was finishing this ZenDoodle and realizing that was all I had to offer. It is kind of a snapshot of my life in the present moment, although I’m no great photographer nor am I a great artist. I just doodlydoodlydoo and it helps my mind stay a little calm. And I just wanted to say hello to you. And now I am going to get in my safe cozy chair with my big soft blanket with my pugs and watch more news on my phone and see how close the hurricane is coming to my dear ones.
That’s tonight, that’s all I have to give, I am blowing you a kiss…
We have been watching the weather coverage all day as we have friends and former co-workers who live in FL. We haven’t even had time to process all that has happened in TX which was the last place we lived before moving to NJ. (One of the benefits of being a military family is knowing people who live in vastly different places…and that is also one of the drawbacks, too.). It’s like watching a train wreck because we just can’t stop watching and worrying. My brain feels overloaded and I just feel “foggy” and anxious. Adding to the overload is my mixed feelings as our daughter moves out and into her own place. I know she will be fine but I rest better knowing all my chicks are close. As always after reading your blog, I realize I am not alone in my worries and I am thankful.
Karrie honey, I’m so glad that you are safe where you are, and your daughter will be fine too. Luckily you are not in the path of the hurricane but yes, it’s very stressful knowing friends and family are in harm’s way and that it’s coming for you too! It is already darkish and windy and branches are coming down here and we are on the coast of North Carolina. And I know how you feel about having your chicks close by. I only have one of my three children here in Wilmington, my eldest daughter is in Chicago but my son is in Atlanta in the path of Irma. It’s a nervous day today…
And that doodling is a cheerful island in the midst of chaos. We need that island as we watch and worry and wait.
Thank you Cathryn honey, doodling really helps a lot, and it helps me to draw at all because you don’t have to feel like you have to make “good art.” You just doodle around and it relieves nervous tension. It is windy here today already and there are smallish branches down here and there and Irma is no where near us yet, but the weather patterns are reaching up to us even now. I’m worried for my son in Atlanta. Thank you for being here honey, it helps a lot to have friends here always but especially at this time…
sleep well my friend. You give us so much even if you think it is so little. You love so hard it hurts…. You are blessed. You are close to my heart as you face the storm. I’m holding your hand in spirit. Keep in touch. Love you
Thank you so much dear Paula, it makes a huge difference to know friends are close in spirit. It is felt and it means so much. I love you honey, thank you for your kind words and for being there…
I feel for you in you thoughts and frozen fear…I had to walk away from news reports for the day…just couldn’t watch anymore, but eventually came back to them…
Thank you for your kind thoughts Tina. Yes it is scary to watch but I just can’t stop watching either. I’ve got friends and family in Irma’s path and she’s headed our way here to the coast of North Carolina. I just keep praying and snuggling with my pugs…
I have been watching the weather forecast here in Belgium… They show pictures of what’s happening in the States… I am far away, and safe. But I am so worried for everyone who’s affected by the hurricane(s)… I am very sensitive to bad weather, it is making me nervous, scared, uneasy… My heart goes out to you. I hold you and your family in my heart and in my thoughts… I am sending you hugs and lots of love.
Writing your blogpost and doodling this snapshot about how you feel is very courageous… You are brave. I keep my fingers crossed. Hope you are all safe…
Hello Dear Claudine, thank you for touching base. Yes it is scary and I’m really worried about my oldest friend who lives in North Florida and other friends and family down there too, and Atlanta where my Aaron and his family are in Atlanta and it will be headed toward them. And then on up to us. It is darkish and a little windy here already and branches are coming down from trees. I have to go out for a med appt today and I’m glad to go out and get it taken care of today before the storm hits here. I’m holding your hand, it’s good to know you are there…
Sending Love and positive thoughts to you and all who are struggling with this weather system <3
Thank you so much Rachel, I appreciate your kind thoughts, they mean a lot…
I have been watching Irma too as my son, daughter-in-love, Granddaughter, Great Grandsons and friends all live in Palm Beach County. It was terrifying thinking the worst was going to hit them. So yes I know how the brain just cannot think of anything else. I am glad you posted and hope everyone is okay. Mine are and we are going to get some of the fringes of the storm today here in Western North Carolina. Big Hugs <3
Oh Jean I hope your loved ones make it through safely and you too. I’m on the coast in Wilmington, NC, and it is darkish here and windy and some tree branches have come down and Irma isn’t even here yet. It is scary. Sending love and hugs and good wishes to you too. Stay safe honey…
I’m in Hickory, NC. I’m feeling relieved that we may get mostly wind and rain now and not the full force of Irma. The trouble with that is that someone else will get it. It is very scary. I will send you Reiki for your tooth and your fears. ❤️
Thank you so much Suzanne honey, I appreciate the Reiki. And yes here in Wilmington on the coast Irma has not come up our way yet but already this morning it is darkish and windy and branches are coming down from trees. It makes me so nervous. I’m praying for all of us, may we be safe and make it through okay…
Dear Maitri,
I am just grateful to you for whatever writing you share. Hugs, Memarge
Thank you so much Marge, you are so dear. It means so much to me to know that something I write can bring you happiness even if it’s just a funny little piece of art and a few words. It is always good to know that you are there. Thank you so much honey…
I’ve been watching it closely too. My beloved’s brother lives in Pensacola. My daughters and some dear friends live in the Atlanta area. I’m worried about them all.
Hugs to you, Maitri.
Oh Lisa honey I hope your brother and daughters and friends are all safe. I’m anxious now because my son Aaron and his wife and baby are in Atlanta. And it’s headed up our way after that and I just got home from a doctor’s appointment and getting meds and a few groceries and a HUGE branch came down already. It’s been windy since we got up this morning and dark and the weather report said 20-50 mile an hour winds predicted here and the hurricane hasn’t even reached us yet! The weather patterns are already affected in far reaching areas from this terrible hurricane. May all be safe, wherever they are….
I find it so wonderful that you have Pugs! They are, by far, my son’s favorite dogs. He will be 10 years old tomorrow, and when I need to help him calm down, I will Google photos of Pugs for him. He especially loves Pug puppy photos. Something about their cuteness calms him and makes him smile.
I’m sorry you have been so worried about the storm and about the people that you love. I wish so much that I could give you a pocket of peace that you could rest in, if even just to catch your breath and help calm you.
Sending you love and hugs… xo.
Thank you so much dear Sarah, and ah yes, at 63, and having had many, many dogs in my life of all different breeds, I can say for sure that I am a pug person through and through, it is pugs who have won my heart and saved my life more often than I can tell you. They are my babies and my sweethearts and my little darlings and I don’t know how I would sleep without them at night. Your son has chosen a wonderful breed to fall in love with… And thank you so much about your kind words about facing the storm, it is hard, it is scary, but right now I have done all that I can do, we are prepared — as prepared as you can be — and well stocked with food and water and flashlights and on and on. Now we wait. Your kind note helped so much. Bless you honey…
dear sis – your paintings get better and better. LOVE THEM SO MUCH!
xo
ka
Thank you so much sweet Katya. Your words mean so much to me. And I am SO relieved you made it through the hurricane okay, I was so worried about you. I am sending you lots of love and BIG hugs…