Rain rain, go away. Come back another Day. Little Cynthie wants to play!
By cynthiann
@cynthiann (18602)
Jamaica
October 30, 2010 2:10pm CST
Well, not so little as I have another dress size to drop but I am fed up with the rain.
We have had the most awful hurricane season- well no hurricanes in truth - but tropical storms all over the place. They only have to come near us and we are devastated. I've had enough. So depressing. We are now naming them with the letter T so we could run out of the alphabet abd have to start again
Now there is Tropical Storm Thomas who may turn into a hurricane tomorrow and hit us on Tuesday/Wednesday.
So I have to go through my check list: Store clean water, get batteries, buy non- perishable food for 4 days at least, fill car up with gas, have cash as ATM machines will probably stop working. Keep phone charged and laptop charges for as long as possible.
Lock down and secure Villa and secure the condo's where I work full time. all furniture and plants off patios and remove pool chairs. Empty pool of some water.
Oh Hell's bells and buckets of blood - here we go again.
What preparation do you make in bad weather?
6 people like this
17 responses
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
30 Oct 10
my my. this was one of the many reasons i had to get out of florida. i was so sick of rain all the time and threats of hurricanes, etc. not to mention everything always smelling of mildew....uuugghhh! yes and all the extra things to keep on hand. as bad as i hate az, which is the exact oppisite almost, (dry, dry, dry) i opted to prefer being here. how i miss my ohio, where things are changing from season to season.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
31 Oct 10
I miss the seasons too. Growing up in the |U.K. there was always an excitement when the season changed. I love the weather here most of the time but too much rain. So much devastation has been done already.I just hate being without electricity.
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
31 Oct 10
Hubby and I were just talking about this earlier. Around here it's looking like Autumn is over.. the leaves have fallen and we even got a drop or two of snow last weekend! However.. I think the beginning of each season is so beautiful! The last few weeks I've been taking in the beauty of orange and red and yellow on all the trees.. and we live in an area where we have LOTS of trees.. it's gorgeous just driving to the store! Sadly that beauty is gone for now as the trees are all bare and it just looks sad.
However, before long we'll have our first good snow fall.. where it will all be beautiful again. The world will look clean in a blanket of white. Icicles will hang from the trees and houses. If we get an ice storm it will be especially beautiful as it will look like the world is covered in crystal!
Sadly that turns ugly really fast too as the traffic turns the beautiful snow into a brown, slushy mess.
But that will eventually turn into spring and there's nothing more exciting than seeing that first patch of bright green grass, and those first buds on the trees.. and all the flowers blooming. That of course brings out the bugs which I HATE!!
Summer actually isn't all that beautiful.. not much changing going on there, just a lot of heat, long days, and bugs!
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
31 Oct 10
@Kat. I have told you before that you have talent in writing. Remember that I used to teach English and have published stories and articles in newspapers, magazines and a couple of books. You need to see if you could do a course on writing somewhere where your talent could be developed. I am serious, sweetie. You have talent.
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
31 Oct 10
I'm very sorry y'all are having such terrible weather. We are very fortunate here & do not have weather like that. That's alot of extra work for u to have to do. I hope thomas leaves y'all alone . Take care, Cynthi.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
31 Oct 10
No, we are going to get rain and hopefully nothing worse but wherever he decides to go we going to suffer. I am praying hard though
2 people like this
@tjades (3591)
• Jamaica
31 Oct 10
Hi Cynthie. Its been some time. .
I hope both our prayers will send Thomas in another direction or cause him to die down all together. I am just not a rain/wet weather fan. All I want is enough rain to keep the plants in my flower and food garden going. They all look so beautiful now. Thankfully I do not live in a flood prone area and do not have to worry about anything except the continuous rains and wet outdoors but I just cant imagine what those persons in Trelawny, Hanover and other flooded areas are going through right now that Thomas is threatening. That last system was (Nicole) was enough.
I hope you stay safe and dry in your neck of the woods.
@tjades (3591)
• Jamaica
31 Oct 10
Your response arrived just as it started to rain here. Los of electricity is indeed a bother though I must give commendation to the power company (and you know we do not have much to give them ) because we do not usually suffer too long in my area before power is restored.
I was in your area (at Cranbrook Park) in August for our family reunion. The rain paid us a visit of course but we had a great time. A group of us hiked up the trail but still have not found the head of that river. I plan to go back there and do just that plus go for a ride on the zip line.It does tend to rain in your area quite a bit. Sometimes we have to pray for a little here and the water drains so quickly from this area. I really hope Thomas never comes. We've had enough. From the drought last year to the rains and Nicole.
Fingers crossed .... Go away Thomas! Go away!
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
31 Oct 10
I hope that you scared him away! You go to the head of the river at Cranbrook?. I love that trail as it is so beautiful. Mystic Mountain will be an incredible experience too and is more than worth visiting. We have so much to offer in our country. Y tired of the rain. We are usually one of the first to lose power as our community is not large. I understand that the essential services and government buildings plus tourist sector should get power. I understand that with my head but hate being without power. A it depressed still - I think. Not quite recovered from walking pneumonia. Not usually a pity party
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
31 Oct 10
You too sweetie. I have all washing done and am now washing out 5 gallon wayer bottles and filling them with drinking water. It has been awful weather here on the north coast for so long - 2 months at least. I am just fed up with it all. Too much. Nicole was horrible and we have not recovered from that one yet. I also hate it when the electricity goes
Keep safe and dry
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
31 Oct 10
Bad weather?
Ok seriously. The canvas cover to the patio thinger comes down. The lawn furniture comes inside. That's kind of pretty much it...
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
31 Oct 10
That is not much to do Remember the last photos that I emailed to you? This one coming is a real bummer - will make the last one look stupid
1 person likes this
@bodhisatya (2384)
• India
1 Nov 10
My dear friend Cynthie,
I know this might sound grossly irrelevant to the context but I am an avid cricket lover. The matches which are played in Jamaica, I thought were as if played in some God's turf. The weather, the cool breeze flowing, the loud music and the cheering for every run scored no matter which team scores. If I remember the name correctly its The Sabina Park.
I never in my wildest dreams had any idea that you are struck into series of Thomases and his ugly little relatives-- dampening my dearest friends' mood to play.
There has been a recent tsunami in Indonesia, and now I get to know about the Evil Thomas. I pray you stay safe and bid adieu to Thomas saying him that we don't need him anymore, no more never anytime anymore.
Stay safe my friend!
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
2 Nov 10
Sabina Park is correct. My husband payed cricket and was a mean slow bower. Bowled slow balls or spin or googlies if I remember correctly. He also was an avid cricket follower.
Actually, I don't know if you ever heard of Rohan Kanhai? He was a brilliant West Indian batsman in the 60's and 70's. We were close friends and his children were my page boy and bridesmaid at our wedding in 1969.
Thank you for your best wishes and I have to to you that I am still at the crease, facing the fast balls. Dodging every way possible but am not out!The shine is now off the ball and I am preparing to lick Tomas for 6
Pray too for Haiti. They are living in tents and have no where to go.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
2 Nov 10
A few years ago, I was in a tropical country working for a multi-national company. The plant we were in was also a common path for typhoons. So, I also got used to making preparations for bad weather.
There was often flooding on the streets, so my car always had an emergency pack in the trunk. Just a change of clothes, a flashlight, some food to eat, and a book.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
2 Nov 10
Thank you Bounce.
Memo to self:
Make time to go to Cancer society and buy second hand books
@AmbiePam (92865)
• United States
1 Nov 10
You shouldn't have to mess with the pool stuff! I need to have a talk with your boss. Well, getting prepared for bad weather here usually means a tornado might be coming through. In that case, I go put on pants with thick material, a long sleeved shirt, sock, and shoes. Then I get a bottle of water, put my pillows in my closet, get the dog, and sit in the closet until I can hear the weatherman on the TV say the tornado threat is over. I've been wanting to get something like a football helmet. I remember one year when we had a tornado, seeing a woman on TV being taken into the hospital with a piece of wood sticking out of her head (she lived amazingly). So I really want a helmet.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
2 Nov 10
Get the helmet sweetie - get the helmet. Anything that makes you feel safe
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
2 Nov 10
When there is a pending blizzard I stock about the same thing as you!! Food.....water....alternative sources for heat...etc. But I really enjoy a good blizzard.....I take the time to do something I love while the storm is raging...like stamping or some other crafty thing that doesn't require electricity! LOL
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
2 Nov 10
I am usually the type of person who does not whine or complain. I think that the lingering fatigue from having pneumonia have just made all the preparations a bit to much for me to do. I did do some shopping today - but not much and the batteries are in and the clean water stored. we are using just what is in the freezer as I have no intention of buying meat when the power goes. Take care and pray for Haiti. They are in tents and have no where to go.
@yellowhipon (793)
• Philippines
31 Oct 10
We're lucky enough that the place where we live doesn't flood so that's one less problem. What we usually do when a storm is coming:
1. stock candles, and batteries for the emergency lights
2. charge our phones
3. make sure everyone's home
4. stock food but not to the point of panic buying
5. stay tuned on the news.
We usually help during relief operations after the storm but thats a whole different story.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
31 Oct 10
KEEPING CALM IS IMPORTANT AND ALSO HAVING THE CAR FILLED WITH GAS AND SOME CASH MONEY AS THE ATM MACHINES AND CREDIT CARDS ETC WILL NOT BE WORKING. APOLOGIES FOR CAPS - OBVIOUSLY NOT STAYING CALM
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
31 Oct 10
We have been so lucky! The last time we had a really bad storm we didn’t do anything to prepare for it and lo and behold even my washing was still on the line the next day! On the news there were stories of roofs being torn off and cars being destroyed and for some unknown reason we were spared although some folks from our area had damage. Very bizarre...Lucky!! Hope all will be well with you...
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
31 Oct 10
Thank you Paula. I am glad that that you were not harmed. I have been washing like crazy all day as we will lose electricity and hate to see dirty washing banking up. Next job will be cleaning of 5 gallon bottles and storing water Blessings
1 person likes this
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
2 Nov 10
Living in a landlocked state, we really don't face the kind of bad weather that you face and that people that live on the coast face. That said, we always try to make sure that we have some non-perishable foods in our house. The reason for that is because of the fact that we have had some ice storms over the last several years that will knock the power out for a week at a time. Additionally, when Kathryn was a baby we bought a power invertor so that we would be able to have at least a little bit of power in the house in the event that the electricity was to go out.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
2 Nov 10
I do have a generator but it needs a battery and so cannot work. My daughter is scouring our city to see if she can buy it. But even if she gets it she will not be here but there- will not reach me in time. She would not be able to drive the 3 hours in a hurricane - too dangerous
@sender621 (14894)
• United States
31 Oct 10
Rain can be a beautiful and tranquil thing. It is something needed by nature. It just isn't beautiful when it comes in a tragic form such as a hurricane. Too much of a good thing is not something we need.
@dynzdolina (381)
• Philippines
31 Oct 10
We get to have a rainy season mostly here in the Philippines, it has become a way of life. But when typhoon struck our land, it becomes another story, utmost preparation is a must, every household has to have their own thing of doing important precautions especially in setting the basic and necessary needs of every family, like water, food, and batteries, among others...
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
31 Oct 10
It is all such a pain but important that we make preparations
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
31 Oct 10
I personally don't need to make many. We really only get snow and ice storms.. and we're so used to it, it's like nothing to us. Our cities and towns make preparations by salting roads when they know it's going to be icy.. and continuing to salt the roads constantly during bad weather so drivers don't slip on the ice. They also plow frequently. Some gear up for winter by buying rock salt for their own sidewalks.. snowblowers, firewood, things like that.
All our winter preparations are like second nature because we do them everyday for like 6 months out of the year.. so it doesn't seem like preparations.. it's just what we do. We shovel a lot and we give ourselves extra time to get where we're going when the roads are bad. And we know to warm our cars up for about 10 minutes before trying to leave otherwise there won't be heat yet.. oh and of course scraping all the snow and ice off the car!
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
31 Oct 10
What they do out here is to move all heavy duty equipment across the Island so that when it has passed the equipment is in place to clear the blocked roads. It is just that it is so much work to batten down the villa and the condos and I hate being without electricity. A bit fed up as it has been going on for several months
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
31 Oct 10
Oh my Cyn! I'm so sorry that you are in the path of the latest
Hurricane! I have been following the latest "little devil Tomas"!
I didn't realize that my dear friend was in it's path! I am always
checking to see if my Mom (in Ft.Lauderdale,FL) is going to be
hit because I worry about her and the house since she is alone
now and 80 (although she is stronger and fiestier than me)! All
I can say to you is you are yours are in my prayers and I hope
that Tomas blows out to sea...Opal/Leslie
@cyrus123 (6363)
• United States
31 Oct 10
I'm afraid I don't make preparations for bad weather like I should. We get a lot of tornadoes in this area in March or April. I have a walk-in closet in my house and I just know to go in there whenever we have a bad storm. We had a pretty good rain here last Tuesday. Right now, I'm wishing we had several days of rain because everything has been so dry around here. I like rain but I get tired of so much of it. To me, it's relaxing. I don't want any storms, though! I just hope you don't get any hurricanes! If you do, I hope you wil be okay.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
31 Oct 10
Yes, it is now a hurricane and expected on Wednesday/Thursday I do like rain at night but torrential rain is not so nice. Nor are the accompanying winds. Thanks for your best wishes