Say Goodnight, Irene

I could use a shady cloister about now. Everyone in the New York area is in a panic over Hurricane Irene. It's due to strike our area tomorrow. Two days of torrential rain and winds.

Towns along the eastern shoreline are being evacuated. Even the astronauts on the space station say the storm looks pretty terrifying.

Astronauts in SPACE are saying this!

Thus starts the second week of my vacation.

Scrounging the house for flashlights, batteries, candles, matches, duct table, beer coolers and wine openers.

Of course you can never find any of these things when you need them, so it's off to the local market to battle your neighbors for the last package of anything not nailed down.

Hardware stores are being emptied of plywood and nails. Liquor stores, as usual, are doing a brisk business. And shopping for food is an adventure in tolerance.

And I'm happy to report we survived the panic in the markets. We made it home without any loss of limbs, and my blood pressure is still at a normal level.

So Darcey, Sam and I are settled snugly in our little corner of the world. Food, water, flashlights, lanterns, candles, beer, wine, iPod, guitar, ukuleles and plenty of warm feelings.

I just hope there's no serious flooding. Rowing a boat from the front porch after eight pints is pretty dicey work.

I'll have to find a designated rower. Beers on me.