Waiting for Bill

Hurricane Bill that is.

It's hard to believe from today's beautiful weather that Hurricane Bill is making his way here ......





..... But....we are awaiting news (when they can more accurately predict) what impact Bill will have on the island of Newfoundland. At one point, maps showing Bill's projected path, had him passing right through our little town! It has since been updated and his path has shifted to the west a wee bit (not enough to matter though) and his wind speeds have been downgraded a bit....but they are still calling for sustained wind speeds of 100 - 120 km/h and wind gusts up to 140 kms/hr. Rain fall could be up to 150 mms of rain....again these change from report to report.

We stocked up today....the bbq tank has been filled, we have lots of drinking water as well as bottled water, batteries, candles, matches, groceries, cell phone fully charged, vehicles full of gas.....

hmmm.....have I forgotten anything???

Hopefully, these won't be needed, but after experiencing the blackout of 2003, it never hurts to be prepared. During that blackout, we were without power for less than a day (21 hours)....*but* what a day that was (many areas were out for many days). We had very little drinking water, could not use or flush our toilets, bathe (we did have a rain barrel set up outside and it had caught what little rain there had been that summer....there was a couple of inches in the bottom, enough to sponge the kids off before bed for one night), could not even get a cup of coffee or a bite to eat anywhere (all restaurants were closed....they were in the same situation as us)...even grocery stores were not open. We had no way of knowing what was going on, how wide spread it was or how long it all would last as all our radios operated on electricity. (Thankfully, we were able to tune in on the car radio). One does not realize how reliant (as a society) we are on power until there is no power available.

Anyway...hoping for the best here. Prayers would be appreciated!