photo credit: NASA
Good riddance, indeed!
I am very very happy to say goodbye to that lady.
Although she’s not really gone. Not quite yet. It’s still raining, and raw, and windy. Transportation is broadly affected and the clean up efforts will keep her on everyone’s mind for a long long time.
The damage is unbelievable. I am shocked at the loss and devastation across so many states.
If you live anywhere on this planet, most likely you have seen a few news reports, and so you are aware of the unprecedented mess. With each photo I am stunned …. until I see the next one. Truly extraordinary.
And let me take this opportunity to thank all my blog reader/friends for the kind thoughts and well wishes as I “signed off” a few days ago. It is really amazing to me how we have formed our own community-of-the-world, here in the blog-o-sphere. I never expected these reach-outs from around the world when I started to blog, but I am so grateful for them now. Thank you, everyone.
The damage in my area has been primarily downed trees and tree limbs. Everyone’s property is thoroughly littered with branches and leaves and miscellaneous debris. (I found several hunks of styrofoam?) There are hundreds of thousands of people still without power in our local utility area.
As we tried to leave my neighborhood this morning, we were thwarted at every turn with another tree blocking the road.
It was like trying to get out of a maze.
“Let’s go this way” … Nope.
“Let’s try this way” … uh uh.
“Perhaps we can turn here” … no-can-do.
Trees block the roadways like large leafy drawbridges. (Except they don’t rise up)
We lost a very large tree on our own property, and (nature’s law) it fell in a very unfortunate place. Sigh.
But we are all well.
And that is what really matters.
sharechair 
So glad to hear you road out the storm with no more damage than you had. I am saddened when I see the devastation so many are dealing with. You are all in our prayers.
Every time I see a news report I am stunned all over again.
The devastation saddens me so much. Once the dust settles, I want to see how we can best help those in need.
sorry about your tree — kind of cool that two LouAnn’s are your first commenters. Glad all went fairly well, considering.
I like the “two LouAnn’s” thing, too! 🙂 Thank you for your kind words.
🙂
It really is unbelievable. Those of us who are only looking at the pictures…I am sure…have no idea just how bad it is. I am also glad to hear you had no more damage than you report. We are going to be reading about this for a long time.
Hugs to you!
meme
It’s true. While our experience was scary and our damage significant, it PALES in comparison to the plights of millions. In perspective we were very very lucky. Every picture I see shocks me all over again.
so glad you are fine, but how sad to see those wonderful big trees reduced to litter …. thanks for sharing …sending love and wishes for a speedy recovery and clean up everywhere … my son and his wife were in NYC for a week’s holiday, they left on saturday evening to return to Paris … and the couple they did an apartment swap with were trapped in London, unable to fly home until flights resume … blessings from the south!
Thank you for your kind wishes. The flight disruptions have been unbelievable. I do believe that this morning I saw that one of the NYC airports is still underwater. “Some flights” are expected to begin returning to Newark today and I have a friend who is hoping to be on one of those few flights. He has been trying to get home for days … we’ll see. The impact will continue for some time, that’s for sure. So glad your son and his wife got out of NYC just in time!
So scary!! I am glad you are unscathed. Still lots of our fellow bloggers have not tuned back in. I am sure there are still w/out power. I posted this in the am, in case you want to spread the word to more bloggers who might want to help! The response ha been strong. People want to help!
http://cindyknoke.com/2012/10/30/hurricane-photos-show-devastating-effects/
Great post of yours, with excellent links. Power outages are still widely extensive (we are VERY lucky ours was so brief). This morning there are still 300,000 people without power in my own local area. I am among the fortunate few, as it is starting to get cold. We may not see some bloggers back for weeks.
So sad, and yet it could have been so much worse.
My heart sank when you spoke about the trees; they have no way to protect themselves… so sad.
However, you and yours are well; for that we can all be grateful…
It is terribly sad to see the beautiful trees crash down. But keeping everything in perspective, it could be worse. I guess it’s nature’s way of pruning…
I’m so glad you are ok. Trees will grow back, but broken people are not so lucky. I still hate to lose trees, though. They make an awful mess when they’re not standing upright the way they are supposed to stand!!! Le us know if you need anything.
You are absolutely right. It’s the people who matter, not the “stuff”. Although the mess is awful. Cleaning up will take a long, long time. Thank you for your kind words.
I am glad you are well and escaped with little damages. I hope the cleanup will be fast and everything is back to normal fast. My prayers are with you, your community and all those who are affected by the storm.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
Thank you for your kind words and prayers. It seems like everyone has been touched in some way.
Whew! Work ahead, no doubt, but I am so glad you are safe.
That’s the bottom line, isn’t it? Everyone who is important to me is safe, regardless of the mess, the damage and the inconveniences. Eventually everything will sort out. Thank you for your good wishes.
So glad to hear you are safe and sound, in spite of the property damage. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
That’s right, property damage is just “stuff”. We’ll work through all that. Thank you for your kind thoughts and prayers.
I am sorry to hear that you suffered tree damage, but happy that you and your family are well. Hopefully Sandy will head out to sea and be out of everyone’s hair soon. Blessings to you and yours. 🙂
While our damage seems “big” to us, it is NOTHING compared to so many. We are all well, and that it what truly matters. Thank you for your kind words and blessings.
Thank heavens you are safe. I’ve been so worried. Good luck with all the clean up and I hope Sandy fizzles out really quickly now. How much damage did that tree of yours cause. I hope your house remained safe?
Thank you so much for your kind thoughts and concerns. It was pretty darn scary for while. Clean up will go on for a long, long time, that’s for sure. Our tree caused some major structural damage. Sigh. So now we just deal with that. One step at a time, right? As I sit here with the power on, and watch the continuing stories on TV of all the damage, I know I am very very lucky.
So sorry about the structural damage you now have to deal with but really glad you have electricity to let us know you are safe. What a terrible thing you have gone through. We are praying for you on this side.
Glad you’re safe.
Thank you so much. We were very lucky.
You were in my prayers and I’m so thankful you came out of it alive and well!!
Thank you so much. As I watch the continuing reports I am stunned at the destruction. Places that you would never expect to be impacted were devastated. A reminder to appreciate the NOW, I think.
I’ve been following the storm on the internet, TV and radio. I was absolutely delighted when I saw that you have blogged and even more delighted that you and yours have come through without any damage to yourselves. Things can be patched up but people carry the scars with them always.
You are exactly right. All this destruction will get sorted out eventually …. it’s the people that matter. Thank you so much for your kind words. It feels amazing to have so many wonderful blogger friends.
Glad you are back online. Glad you are all right. Sad about all the damage and devastation. Was amazed by how organised everyone and everything seemed to be.
I think that now the real work begins. New York is still dark south of 39th street, and getting into the city is almost impossible. Gasoline everywhere is scarce and people are lining up for miles for car and/or generator gas. Power still out for millions. Patience required!!!!
I am so glad you are safe. What a dreadful experience. But it also brings out the best in people.
I think the long haul might get tougher. With power still out for millions, gasoline scarce (lines stretch for miles). Even NYC is still basically closed down. Patience starts to wear thin in the aftermath…..
What a story to tell the grandchildren one day, for hopefully you won’t be seeing anything like this again anytime soon. I am really glad that all is well with you, and sorry to hear about the damage to your home. I do admire your spirit of gratitude. I have been amazed at some of the images and was quite surprised to hear Mayor Bloomberg say that the marathon is happening on Sunday – that’s the way to go I think – pick up, dust off and back in the saddle in no time at all 🙂
It’s true, but sadly I think as the days go on, some of the stories you’ll be hearing won’t be too pretty. Many areas are completely cut off, covered with water, with no generators, power or help at hand. Gas lines are long, and patience is wearing thin. The southern end of Manhattan is still dark. Many friends have been told another week before power is restored. People come together in wonderful ways …. but there is also a dark side (contractors taking advantage of desperate people) <<<< and that's another blog post!
That’s a real worry. Well, if push comes to shove, there’s always a place for you here in darkest Africa 🙂
🙂
Sorry about your tree, we lost a few as well…but we are relatively unscathed…so happy you’re safe too! xo
It’s the people that matter, stuff is just stuff. And this experience sure reminds us of that fact.
Absolutely ~ well said! xo
Glad to know you and yours are fine… Sad about the tree. I didn’t know you were in an affected area… Peace and blessings too! 😉
The news stories are shocking, aren’t they? I still can’t get my mind around all the devastation. I am originally from Asbury Park and so I am so very familiar with all those areas. Heartbreaking.