((((((HUGS TO ALL))))))
Weathering the Storm ~
Technically, here, it's still February for a few more hours, but let's get wild and call it March!
I live in Paradise, with perpetual sunshine and blue skies, and fabulous mild temperatures. But Paradise is having its second worst drought in decades. The fire danger is extremely high; in fact just 6 weeks ago, fire swept through the Angeles National Forest due to careless campers.
We prayed for rain, and our prayers were answered. They were answered too well. Al Roker predicted that we would receive a year's worth of rain in 24 hours. For a change, the Weather Channel got it right for Paradise.
A couple of times today, the pounding rain caused me to ponder whether we should watch "Evan Almighty" to pick up some arc building pointers.
Mudslides in all of the burn areas, as expected. I've heard double the sirens today; more accidents on the road. The TV has been interrupted constantly all day with EAS messages of Flash Flood Warnings for certain vulnerable areas. Foolish people are being rescued from washes and canals. Curiosity can kill you. Others are being rescued from their homes.
It's not a hurricane. It's not a tsunami. It's not an earthquake or a tornado. It's not Superstorm Sandy. It's not the flooding in England. But, for Paradise, it's a big deal.
When rain is predicted for Paradise, the newscasters typically start every newscast with "STORM WATCH!" Then, we get some mist, some drizzle, a spitting shower. And that's the STORM we were WATCHING out for?! So, residents of Paradise often joke about predicted rain, by exclaiming "STORM WATCH!" and then giggling.
And we did the same thing about this prediction. Well, that's what you get for crying wolf so many times.
Our 1998 Dodge van, with a raised roof to accommodate our boys in their wheelchairs, spent 4 days in a paint shop, her first new dress ever in all of these years. She was in sad shape, sitting in the daily sun for so long, because she can't fit into our garage. But yesterday afternoon, she was just gleaming in the sunshine on our driveway, when Jim brought her home.
So, now, she is being thrashed by pelting rain and debris from high winds. I'm thinking maybe our timing was way off on this paint job.
Jon has had a couple of nights in a row with fluid retention, gagging, suctioning, vomiting, etc. He didn't fall asleep until 3:30 this morning, after a long, rough night. But he slept soundly for 11 hours! It was dark, thanks to the rain, and quiet in the neighborhood (no gardeners, no dogs barking, very little aircraft overhead).
Exhausted from his late day and lack of sleep yesterday, Jim decided to rest on the living room futon. But first, he suggested that we light a fire in our fireplace, which is something we haven't done in many years. Due to the drought, we aren't permitted to burn fires, especially wood, which is also considered toxic smoke now. But we still have wood to use up, and its raining cats and dogs, so I doubt the fireplace police will be patrolling the neighborhood today.
The one thing that I wanted most as a "luxury item" in our new home was a fireplace. So, when I bought this home 30+ years ago, I was thrilled with that fireplace, and it was lit for every event, holiday, party, as well as lots of warm, cuddling time with my boys.
And then, it became obsolete. A wrought iron tea light candle screen sits in front of the fire pit. Furniture is squished into the room, because it's the only room large enough to accommodate Jon's wheelchair for storage in the house.
So, this morning, we moved everything out of the way, opened the long unused screen, cleaned out the cobwebs, and built a fire. It was lovely.
Jim fell asleep next to the fire, all toasty. Jon slept soundly in his room. I took care of Jon's needs (this is a time, when a Gtube is a blessing for feeding, water, and meds, without disturbing him).
After Jim and Jon woke up, and we rearranged Jon, we opened the shutters over Jon's picture window and watched the storm together. Every day, Jon asks us if it has rained. Today, we were able to say, "Yes, and here it is!"
March is coming in like a lion in Paradise.
Love & Light,
Rose