As many of you know, I am right in the path of Hurricane Isabel... 24 hours ago, I was working on the assumption that I would be exacuating to the north... But then, last night, the various newscasters repeated that people should Not evacuate unless ordered to do so, but rather, batten down the hatches and be prepared to camp out at home (to make sure our easily clogged roads remain as free as possible for those who do need to get out, and lower the number of people who potentially become stranded on the roads). And then, that same message was issued by the governor. So that is what we're doing.

Some words of reassurance: Father is with me, and he is now bringing in all loose items from around the house, and locking them in our garage. He is also filling five gallon buckets with water. My larder is well stocked with tuna and canned meats, peanut butter, bread, and powdered milk (and we have manual can openers). I do have an interior bathroom away from all windows. The cats' food and litter boxes are also in this room, so all 4 of us can camp out there, if not in comfort, at least in relative safety). I have batteries and flashlights, and a radio powered with a hand crank (wind the crank 100 revolutions, and it will play for 45 minutes). I live in an area of relative high ground... not the mountains, by any means, but in an area that has never flooded in the 7 years I've been here... That will change after this storm, I'm sure, but it's not like my house is on the beach, wating to be washed out to sea.

I am expecting the power to go out, and I don't know when it will come back on, so if I don't write for several days, assume that that is the reason, rather than assuming the worst...

Oh, and I've also paid all bills for this month, so....

I will write here again, as soon as I can....

Your friend, CapriUni/Ann

PS:

I'll also take this time to issue a song challange. If ever there was ever a storm worthy of a ballad, this is one!