Sand Dunes of The Jersey Shore

A series of big storms topped off by last summer's Hurricane Irene have damaged a lot of the NJ Shore Line.

Dune Stabilization projects are being conducted all along the shore. I took these photos in late August at Bayshore Waterfront Park in Monmouth County, NJ. The sign says the project was to be completed in April but I saw evidence that it is ongoing.

This NJ Shore Website has a lot of interesting information and links.

Our World Tuesday

NATURE NOTES

Siren's Storm Story

The Mom Person is very grumpy and tired. I know this because I am standing on the laptop and she just sighed and looked away. I am taking advantage of this to write my own post.

We had a hurricane here. I believe a hurricane has something to do with nature - wind and rain mostly although I have also observed that hurricane's scare people. I do not get scared. I become cautious - there is a difference.

Many things were turned upside down. All sorts of stuff came upstairs and is now all over the hall and Mom's bedroom. She keeps calling it "fucking crap" but I find it marvelous. There is so much to climb in and over and so much to smell and eat. Whenever I eat something I don't like I just throw it right back up. Isadora has copied this tactic from me. Maybe that is why Mom curses as she cleans up? Could there be such a thing as too much throw up?

Anyway

We have been home for 3 days now. We went to a hotel during the hurricane. It is much like a shelter for humans.

Isadora enjoyed the hotel right away ...

Isadora smelled every inch of the ugly carpet

From my strategic position under the bed I could see her ears were on alert

Later I moved to behind the drapes. I was NOT afraid but simply checking for drafts and leaks.
Isadora felt she should wait for me; it was kind of her.

Isadora also monitored the news feed. I wanted to switch to Animal Planet but the remote was not under the bed.

At the hotel strange humans come and give you trays. Isadora told me she thought the food dish was upside down but it appears that Mom ate her dinner anyway.

From my HQs under the bed I could hear Isadora above me. She seemed to like the strange bed and its exceptional roominess.

During the day on Sunday I did venture out to explore. It was quieter - the power stopped popping on and off, the wind wasn't howling and the hallway people were not running and yelling. I felt I could concentrate.

I know there is not another cat there as I cannot smell it but still -  mirrors freak me out.
Where exactly are things?

The hallway people were back. Mom said they were just nervous and probably drunk.
No wonder the hotel allows animals; without us all their guests would be screwed up.

 

I am so glad I did not miss this! Isadora is right, all this space is wonderful.

I was thrilled to be going home although I did not appreciate being treated as luggage.

Thanks for stopping by.
I need to go bury myself in some delicate crystal and claw at the bubble wrap.
Mom loves that.

We're All OK

and we hope you are too

I elected to go to the hotel inland. My son and his wife decided to stay at home with Hope. They did get a generator at the last minute on Saturday and it came in handy as power went on and off all through the night and all day Sunday. We lost power at the hotel but other than some soggy carpeting and unruly guests the stay there was fine. Isadora had a great time, Siren had a nervous breakdown - more about that later.

Some minor damage to the basement and the shed and some tree limbs down in the yard. We are very lucky.

I just got home and must make sense out of my space. We moved so much of the basement up onto the first floor and it's an obstacle course. My entire body is screaming from strained muscles. You haven't lived until you carry two fat cats in carriers through torrential rain.

Later

How I Spent My Summer Hurricane - Part 1

I didn't have my car yesterday, my son took it to work hoping to get/buy/borrow a generator. Our generator heard there was a hurricane coming and decided to pass away into the great depot in the sky.

So today at 7 AM I began my preparedness. I got water - had to go to 2 places - and I filled up the car and I got non-perishables and I got a carrier for Isadora. I decided Siren and Isadora shouldn't be expected to share the giant carrier when they're already stressed out.

Thanks to the young sales people at PetSmart I got a dog carrier that was suitable, all the cat carriers were sold out, and I found out that a Holiday Inn inland allows pets. I now have a room reserved there for me and the kitties and a second room for my son/his wife/Hope.

Tomorrow morning at 5 AM I will be at Lowe's hoping the generator delivery comes and comes early. If I don't get one and the power goes out - which will surely happen - then my basement will become a wasteland.

I will admit to being a bit nervous and, at this moment, totally exhausted and aching from head to toe.

I am on the border with towns that are being evacuated.

It occurred to me that I am so lucky to have resources. Credit cards to use to reserve rooms and cash on hand to get extra supplies and I have a car with a full tank of gas. I remember the people in the very poor areas during Katrina saying over and over - "where do you go when you have nothing"

I get it

Stay safe out there

This scene from just a few days ago ...

Has been replaced by these scenes shot during my morning rounds ...