Don't mention this to anyone...

So, sometimes, I wear an eye mask to bed BECAUSE as I told you the other day, it can be BRIGHT in our bedroom in the morning.

WELL, this particular morning, I forgot to remove it before I got out of bed.

You can guess the rest.

Who knew I was so close to the edge of the damn bed?

Right?

So why share this with all y'all? Well, I had to tell somebody and who better than all y'all?

*waiting while y'all wipe up the coffee/or drink of choice that has been sprayed on monitors, chins, etc*

And besides, we all really could use a big ole laugh right now!

I'm cool with that.

The things I find comfort in

Yesterday, it was Lipton onion soup dip and potato chips.

There was something about mixing the sour cream and onion soup mix into a bowl, then dipping a crispy thin chip in, loading it up and popping it into my mouth that made everything else disappear.

This song.



Sleep.

The comfort of my bed in the afternoon. Falling asleep to the sounds of the MITM in the kitchen, far enough away to not intrude, but close enough so I knew I wasn't alone. Hearing the rumblings of the impending storm, again far enough away not to intrude, but close enough to slowly darken the sky. An eyemask is also an important part of an afternoon nap, especially when there's an uncovered palladium  window in the room! All of the pillows make the perfect nest, I mean, they are down filled! Blissful, no longer troubled dreams.

Dinner.

The MITM knows me far better than I know myself sometimes. He decided early on in the day that he was going to be in charge of meals. There was wine, cheese, appetizers and calamari! Anyone who knows that silence during a meal doesn't mean there's nothing left to say, it simply means that the food, the meal deserves, no demands, complete and total attention! We sat together in absolute joy filled silence and, for me, complete grace.

*****

Watching the storms forming and then moving across the Atlantic has caused anxiety, but for those who've been in the eye of the storms, they've suffered far more than I can imagine. Whatever I've experienced has been minor, so I'm not complaining, but to move on I must admit that anxiety and fear have been a very large part of the last few weeks!  We, like many transplants to the south, wondered for a moment why are we still here, what is keeping us here. The answer comes almost immediately after asking the question: the water retreats, the sky is blue again, the smell of the ocean, the marsh, the knowledge that there will be fresh shrimp "over to Dubberly's" and our neighbors sweet voices calling out. 

Then you know, then I know, why we stay. This place can heal you in a way you aren't even aware of. It wraps you in the denseness of the magnolia trees growing everywhere. The tendrils of the jasmine support you even as you prop them up. This place grows your spirit, even when hate surfaces around you that voice is small compared to the glorious voices that lift your heart, your soul when you have reached rockbottom. This place reminds you that you don't fight nature, you move with it. 

All this to say, my heart was broken and it has healed. 

There will be sadness again, 

I know, 

but I'm prepared and 

3 out of 4 ain't bad.

September 12th, 2017

For all our pals who aren't on that other social media site, the MITM and I are safe here on The Plantation! We were without power for 12 hours which considering the damage to the islands near our little town is phenomenal! Our landline was down for a couple of hours, but again, nothing compared to other areas nearby and absolutely NOTHING compared to Florida and the Caribbean. 

We are fortunate. We suffered no major damage. The MITM and I were able to clean up the yard debris without any issues. 

FYI: garage door visible on the left is our neighbor's house. Our main garage door is slightly visible behind the bushes and the side garage door is by the fence and bins.

Our neighbor across the street had a tree come down in his backyard narrowly missing his bedroom by 8 INCHES!! That was the closest call on our block and everyone is grateful no one sustained serious damage or injury around here.

The MITM and I are grateful and humbled by all of you and your concern for us. Thank you and we love all y'all!!

xoxoxo

Thursday or the days before Irma

Darling friends!

The MITM and I are prepared to leave if needed. There is a mandatory evacuation that will begin this Saturday. I will keep in touch as often as I can, until then we love all y'all!

Remember, hope
and her krewe up in SC, too! We're all having to deal with Miss Irma this time!