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We're all battened down for the approaching hurricane. This post is designed to ease the minds of the grandparents.

It's 8:43PM now and just drizzling. We were up early to get T outside as much as possible. Although we had already stocked up, we bought a few more bags of food and a couple of bottles of wine. Better stuffed than hungry.

With all the shopping done, we checked to see if our current favorite restaurant was open. Many places were closed, but they had decided to give it a go so we were able to cruise in and snag our favorite table. T was loving the music on the stereo and I got a dozen oysters at a major clear-the-fridge discount. After another trip to another store for candles and a stopper for the tub, the rain drove us home.

Continuous TV alerts stirred us to step-up our preparations. I moved the grill against a brick wall, turned over our patio table, and stacked the plants against the building. My lovely wife asked me if I thought we should bring the plants inside. They were all soaked to the rim, on the ground, and dirty, so I declined. T was napping so I shaved and showered while we still had water.

When I came out of the bathroom, I found my wife sweating and putting down the last of our flower pots beside the dining room table, so now I'm typing this in my own personal florist studio. Having the plants indoors eased her mind, so I'm happy.

I love camping equipment. I have propane stoves, water filters, rain pants, ropes, headlamps, packs, first aid kits, and about a dozen flashlights. Some part of me hopes for blackouts.

The fridge is full of water. The cupboards are full of food. The tub is full of water. Our "go bags" are packed. I've got batteries, candles, flashlights, ponchos, and an ice axe ready on the dining room table. Hopefully, it's all for naught, work is cancelled Monday, and we can have folks over to help us eat up the beef jerky and pasta.