For us in the DC area, Hurricane Sandy was a pretty big deal. School and work closures, wind advisories, flooding, and grocery store shelves wiped clean. This River Badger clan rode it out, and are feeling very lucky to be healthy and happy, with no real damage to our den. We also managed to have some little adventures along the way.
All weekend, the build-up to the storm was happening, with the two Boy Badgers taking notes. "To the radar!!" is a frequently-heard shout here whenever there is even a chance of rain, and this was a BIG STORM. By Sunday, we had prepared the house, bought groceries and batteries, and I had even cleaned! We hunkered down.
We all woke up lazily on Monday morning, knowing in advance that work and school had been cancelled. The skies were gray, there were some gusts of wind, and a light rain was falling, but nothing too scary, yet. The Little Badgers came into our room and we all watched some Thomas the Tank Engine together in bed. Daddy River Badger made blueberry muffins for breakfast, and we all enjoyed each other's company for a good 15 minutes before our Little Badgers started feeling confined. You see, our kids are used to being active and engaged pretty soon after they wake up. I'm not sure what happened in the gene pool, as DRB and I would be quite happy to lounge in front of the TV in our pajamas. Anyway, we decided to take a quick trip out. The wind was picking up, and the rain was falling harder, but we needed gas in the van, and it was a parent emergency!
So, after Wawa (and fountain soda for Mommy River Badger) we went to Petco! You know, where the parents-with-restless-kids go. And, today, we were nearly the only ones there to enjoy the kitties for adoption, the ferrets, fish, lizards, scorpion (!), snakes, etc. Baby Badger squealed over the parakeets, and Little Brother Badger loved the guinea pigs. The Little Badgers were also excited to buy a toy for our kitty, in case she was scared during the storm.
We headed home to a grilled cheese lunch. The wind and rain were picking up. The Little Badgers were a little alarmed, but a quickly-constructed Badger den under the dining room table let them hide from the elements behind sheets and pillows.
After dinner, the storm was officially here. Daddy River Badger noticed some water leaking from the roof, and decided to head up there and fix it. Yes, folks, on the roof in a hurricane. I'm being very clear in case his mother reads this and can wallop him with a rolling pin or something. Anyway, DRB is annoying spry as well as sly, and managed to fix the shingle and stop the leak. He is my hero, after all.
By bedtime, the winds were howling, but the Badgers went to bed gamely and slept through the night. DRB and I were a little more awake and apprehensive. I'll tell you what, the target audience for horror films can't be the over-30, home-owning, parental set. There are so many things scarier than some loud music, shaky camera work, and out-of-focus dark figures.
The next day dawned calm and wet. We had made it through pretty much unscathed. So had our families. And as we learned what some other folks had faced, and are still facing, we were more and more grateful. Tuesday was spent as a family. Another trip to Petco. Another lunch (mac n' cheese!). A craft project. Carving pumpkins. Baking cookies. At naptime, I watched TV next to my sleeping Baby, and got to stroke her hair and tuck her into her blanket. Bliss!
The Dickens quote: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times", seems appropriate here. Happiness sometimes feels so fragile. Chance separating those who struggle from those who celebrate. We appreciated the celebration today.
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