Soggy but Safe

The Delmarva Peninsula is home to what remains of my family. I've watched the news from the balmy Midwest and worried about their safety during the latest storm of the century. The Delaware and Maryland families are fine with minimal tree loss, and they didn't lose power until daylight, which is a small blessing. The Virginia clan is fine, but likely flooded, as they live on the skinniest part of the tail of the peninsula, and the storm hit at high tide. These things have happened before, they will likely happen again. Hopefully not any time soon. Everyone is safe, which is all that truly matters.

Hurricane Irene wasn't as mean as she could have been, but she sure was huge. We've had more than a few jokes about the name of this storm, as my mom's Aunt Irene was as huge as she was cranky, and she was slow moving and scary, too.

Delaware, Maryland and Virginia didn't get much media coverage in the wake of the big storm, but that's OK. We never could compete with the Jersey shore or big cities, and more importantly, we never wanted to. The winds and rains weren't as awful as everyone was prepared for, which is a blessing when you live a few feet above sea level. There were a few homes damaged by tornadoes, a few downed trees and some power outages, but all things considered, my family was lucky. They're soggy, but relieved. I'm relieved, and maybe a little guilty, enjoying some of the best weather of the year, thanks to the high pressure Irene has kept pushed over us in the middle.

Hopefully the flooding will be minimal in the upper states as Irene marches slowly and dissipates.

In the calm after the storm, I wish for many lovely mushrooms like these found after our last downpour.

Hope you and your loved ones are all safe and sound.