Indeed, safe passage to all. Keep in touch when you can, friends.

Absolutely. I'm hoping this doesn't worsen, and thinking of you all over there.

Charlotte

Hey, folks,

We got our generator back today, so we're feeling better about the next few days. All schools are cancelled from well south of here all the way north to Boston. The federal government's shut down, the metro's closed, nothing's going to be moving for a few days. James is thrilled he gets at least three days off school! ;)

I've seen more than my share of hurricanes, but never one like this. Who ever heard of a COLD hurricane? The day it hits, the high will be 44. Not only that, but it's making a left hook instead of a right one, and instead of travelling along the Atlantic coast, it's going to hit at a 90 degree angle. No-one knows exactly what to expect.

Just light rain and a few wind gusts here right now. We'll see how it shakes out...

Thanks,

Bill

Well, one and all

My wife and I were just in D.C. on our honeymoon (cut short due to illness) and it was absolutely hysterical there. At the Phillips collection we were chased from the outdoor cafe as they were tying down the tables and chairs — and this was Friday!

Here in Philly … not so bad so far. The grocery stores are crowded, but the conversation among strangers is refreshingly not about the storm. The hardware stores are out of things like flashlights and batteries I understand, but the one near us is purgatorial so I never go there.

We live on a hill — Fairmount — so there's little danger of flooding, but I was thinking on the train trip home of all those people with homes in Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Maryland, not to mention coastal New Jersey.

Thanks so much Charlotte and Janice — "safe passage," I love that. Charley, good luck to you and yours and God's grace.

It's been blowing like hell on Long Island, all night, and the thing hasn't even turned inland yet.

Nemo

They're only calling it Frankenstorm because of Halloween.

Also, it's part hurricane, part nor'easter.

I just made a kind of cross-reference over on the "Elections" thread, but I will make more serious comments here. I'm grateful for people's reports on how things look in their area. I have a niece and nephew in the DC outskirts who are at least impacted by the closing of the rail service today. My relatives in PA are out of the country, but I don't think they live near enough to the coast for their house to be endangered. And of course, when storms hit Massachusetts I worry about Rhina and all the Pow-wow poets. As long as our Spherians have electricity, please keep us updated on how you are.

I'm also grateful for news. My daughter is in NYC though just on the edge of one of the green areas in the latest 'risk of evacuation' maps and my son-in-law was due in at JFK this afternoon - presumably cancelled. Thinking of you all.

Best,
Nigel

The wind and rain are really picking up now. Outside my window, the river is threatening its banks. The latest forecast has it coming along the southern track, right over Baltimore and DC. But at least we're elevated: the shoreline pictures are stunning. Look for pictures of Ocean City, Cape May, Brooklyn. Those are the folks who really need to worry.

There's actually a blizzard warning for the mountains less than a hundred miles from here! Flood warning in town, and they're closing the bay bridge.

There are lots of poets in the storm's path today. Perhaps we've angered The Muse? I'm lighting incense as supplication, and hoping for the best! ;)

Thanks,

Bill