Batten Down The Hatches!

This photo of the jacaranda and other flowers blooming denotes a time of calm and serenity. Spring. On the outside, and if walking the streets, it seems that way.  But, inside, in our hearts and minds, we all are slightly tied in knots wondering what is coming next.

The only thing I can equate this to is when living on the Gulf Coast for close to fifty years, hurricane season came.  First they would announce that "maybe" something was going to come into the Gulf.  My ears would perk up for further details and listening carefully was always important if it was heading our way.

Often, however, there wasn't great forewarning and once, one morning there was nothing but a little tropical depression but by the next day, in the Bay area south of Houston, we had had 42 inches of rain in 24 hours.  No planning for that other then trying to get everything off the floors in case there was flooding.  For me and my children, there was not, but, for others who lived right on the shore lines, their homes were inundated.

If I learned anything from those years was to be prepared as much as possible.  I had all "important" papers in one carryout container to be sure to take.  I always had huge bottles of water stored in the garage on high shelves, just in case along with canned goods and food that could be eaten without cooking.......

Often we were the first car out of town, sort of, making the trek to Lufkin where my big brother lived.

The station wagon would have kids, animals, cages, food and as many clothes and board games as we could cram in.  Those were the days of no cell phones or that kind of thing.  We could get to Lufkin in a little more then 3 hours while those that waited suffered through anywhere from 10 to 24 hours to go the same distance.  So glad there are not hurricanes in San Miguel or tornadoes!

One never knew what one would come home to - total destruction, flooded houses, downed trees or who knew what.  Certainly, always, no electricity. Sometimes for up to three weeks.  Since most storms hit in the summertime, that meant no air conditioning  The kids and I learned that sleeping on the marble floors in the foyer were the coolest place to be.  Cooking on a grill outside was another.

So being prepared was one important ingredient.  The other was "taking it one day at a time".  As I just said, you never knew what you would go through or come home to but, somehow, we all got through it!

Of course "Batten Down the Hatches" refers to sailboats and boats.  The loss often was complete in Galveston Bay and Clear Lake, but that too, eventually was overcome, one way or the other. 

This virus that is barreling toward us or around us, to me, is similar.  At first there was a week of semi-panic, then the second week was having a plan and implementing it after lots of reading of what to do.

Now we wait and STAY HOME.  I have found all kinds of things to do.  Slowing down is one of them now that I realize that I don't have many, many things to accomplish but possibly a few each day!  A BIG surprise.

Some of the things I'm doing is cooking, listening to CDs that I haven't listened to in years, watched movies that I have stored in the drawer, working in the garden, rearranging the closets and setting aside clothes to sell or donate, reading new books and thinking about reading a few of my favorites again.  That's a start.  There are a couple of big projects of going through old photos that I have not felt like doing yet.

I'm trying to stay on a schedule by getting up at the same time and going to bed at the same time.  It helps.  There was an urge at the beginning to go around in pajamas but I feel better getting dressed, fixing my hair and sometimes putting on makeup........as though I'm going somewhere or company is coming.  Neither of which is going to happen until we get the "all clear" signal, whenever that might be.

By using the webcams of San Miguel, I can see that most everywhere is empty of pedestrians.  Unlike anything I have ever seen.  That is a good thing as we are sheltering in place!

I think of all of you so often and wonder how many of you are in the USA, France, Spain, Italy
and other countries who read this blog.  We are ALL in this together and somehow we will all get
through this eventually.  Hopefully we will be stronger when this is over.  Knowing there are others who care and who will help if and when needed.

Be Safe!  Stay Home! And, please write and tell me how you are doing and what you are doing in these days of quiet.  I care!