As Hurricane Irene (aptly named after my late aunt, I’m sure) bears down on my beloved North Carolina coast, I have been obsessively checking weather websites, the Weather Channel, online NC newspapers, Topsail’s Facebook pages, and whatever other source of information I can think of. I think some part of me imagines that if I am on top of the storm minute-by-minute, I can somehow relate to her, and thus, somehow exercise an element of control over her. This is what we call magical thinking, people. That dog just won’t hunt.

Magical thinking image from (somewhat ironically if you ask me) http://www.forbes.com
I am suspicious that another part of me thrives on this kind of drama. It’s almost the opposite my empath nature, although I don’t think I have words to describe that. It’s like a horrific accident – I can’t look away. If I absorb the images completely into my spirit, perhaps they’ll make sense. More magical thinking. I know what’s going on – the images just do damage to my soul.
Irene is huge (and my aunt was no little peach either, by the by). I remember how massive Katrina looked from the radar images, and I’m surprised no one has drawn a comparison. Thankfully, she has weakened – if you recall, there was the potential for her to turn to a Category 4, which would truly have been devastating, given her size. Most of the reports are from New Jersey and New York, I suppose because those are the most populated areas, but still, it niggles me a little, because she’s heading right for “my” house at Topsail. And nobody’s reporting from Topsail, are they? The house can sometimes feel like it is floating when the tide is high and the waterline reaches the bottom of the dunes. So as you might imagine, the storm surge is worrying.
I do love the people on the Carolina coast that newsfolk have been interviewing. Most are locals. A lot of them are just sitting on the sand, looking at the horizon, watching the storm come. Sort of like watching a movie. Or how we all just sit silently and look at the sea after breakfast at Sandcastle. Those who have lived on the barrier islands their whole life are perfectly content to ride out yet another storm. I suspect that would be me. Yes, she’s big, but she’s not a Cat 3.

Image from http://www.eastcountymagazine.org
The Weather Channel has been emphasizing the importance of emergency preparedness. I cannot agree with them more. If you do choose to rock and roll through a hurricane, you should be prepared with frozen bags of ice water, a full bathtub, batteries, food, gas, flashlights, candles, a knife, and perhaps the Zombie Survival Guide (just in case things get worse, because yes, things could be worse).
I’m really truly not minimizing the gravity of this situation. We saw the damage in the Bahamas, and I still have prayers going to Patty’s house in the Abacos. I send safe blessings to those of you who choose to go through it, and peace to those of you who are scared.
But when TWC was talking about emergency preparedness, I would have sworn that Jim Cantore (you know the buff bald guy who is always standing in the most dangerous of places, telling YOU to go inside?) said, “Have a kitten.” Upon further reflection, I realized he said, “Have a KIT.” But kitten is what I heard, and kitten is what I’m sticking with. Beside I love kittens (and I know a few of you are thinking, ‘Yea, me too, I could eat a whole one,’ and to you I say, ‘Stop that.’)
So here, Irene – have a kitten. It will make you calm down. I promise.
18 comments
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August 26, 2011 at 2:50 pm
photokunstler
Thanks SO much SS! She has left Abaco and the Bahamas, and has destroyed some islands south of us. When she hit the Abacos I think she’d lost some steam (probably from all of us thinking her east!) and I am waiting to hear if she was a Cat3 or Cat4. But the Abacos mostly have downed power lines, vegetation devastation and some shingles off the houses that think you don’t need a Bermuda roof in a hurricane area.
Now, Jim Cantore – people there HATE him, people who live in the US and have homes in the Bahamas too. They want to tie him to the front of their boats in a Cat5. Not sure why. Being in Canada the only news we get is – “Will Irene reach the Maritime provinces?!”
I think she’s slowed to a Cat2, still a hurricane but with much less fury. It is good for people to be prepared and to move inland, to have their kittens stocked and to also remember you need a kitten for each person in the house. The US has some serious infrastructure (the Bahamas don’t), so I think it will be fine…
August 27, 2011 at 6:20 pm
Seasweetie
YES! A kitten for each person! I’m contacting the National Hurricane Center to ask them to include that in their posted instructions.
August 26, 2011 at 2:59 pm
waywardbound
Thank you for making me laugh. I needed that. We should be as ready for Aunt Irene as we can be. Lord knows we have been hearing about her for a month, seems like it. We really don’t have anywhere to put 6 to 12 inches of rain so I know its going to cause problems. Even an hour and a half inland it may get a little rough. I know Topsail has a special place in your heart and I hope they are ok there. Going to be a long Saturday. I hope the kitten helps Irene, it helped me. Thanks
August 27, 2011 at 6:19 pm
Seasweetie
How are things, waywardbound? I haven’t had TV access until just now. I am so glad I gave you a chuckle.
August 26, 2011 at 4:46 pm
Cin
~hugs~ be safe! Be prepared. And I am the same way, if I am totally aware of whats happening I feel I can get through it better. May or may not be true, but whatever eases your fears through crazy times.
And worst case worse a lil magic, prayer or whatever you believe in will help 🙂
August 27, 2011 at 6:18 pm
Seasweetie
Isn’t it weird how we have that illusion of control, Cin? Or maybe we actually DO have some power when are energy is aligned with the universe. Oops. Am I magical thinking again?
August 27, 2011 at 10:51 pm
Cin
😛 lol I always think magically. Sooner or later something about it will appear in my photos…
But us humans are very arrogant in thinking we can control these things. We’re a funny species that way.
August 28, 2011 at 8:35 am
Seasweetie
True, however, if we are properly aligned with the energy of the universe, I think we are more powerful than we imagine!
August 26, 2011 at 4:50 pm
SuziCate
Thanks for this post, gave me a giggle before the “hit”….and dang it, I don’t have a zombie survival guide, and I thought I was as prepared as I could be!
August 27, 2011 at 6:17 pm
Seasweetie
It’s always the one last thing, isn’t it SuziCate? I hope you guys weathered the storm – or are continuing to do so.
August 26, 2011 at 9:15 pm
thesinglecell
Heehee! We’re bracing here too… I’m both curious – because I love storms – and a little anxious about how it will go. And a little worried about “my” house on the coast, just a block and a half in from the sea. Nice to have these places to worry about… Now I’m worried that a storm named after MY aunt will develop and breeze through with warnings of the Rapture and prophecies from St. Joseph raining from her clouds. Hmmm.
August 27, 2011 at 6:16 pm
Seasweetie
Any news on ‘your’ house, singlecell? And if that storm named after your aunt materializes please give me some advance warning so I can find a deep enough cave and a seat belt.
August 27, 2011 at 9:02 am
thesinglecell
PS just saw the “have a kit” promo. I thought he said “kitten,” too. Laughed out loud when I heard it.
August 27, 2011 at 6:13 pm
Seasweetie
See? See? I know!!
August 27, 2011 at 1:07 pm
TBM
I love that kitten!
August 27, 2011 at 6:13 pm
Seasweetie
Yes, it’s the “you eated my cookie?” kitten!
September 3, 2011 at 4:51 am
nakedcarlyart
I bought my husband that Zombie Survival guide book a couple years ago. He loved it–but it also convinced him he needed a crossbow. He did not need a crossbow, but yep–we now own a crossbow. We are classy like that.
September 3, 2011 at 9:59 am
Seasweetie
I completely and totally love this.