Barbie Perkins-Cooper, Author

 

Dearest Readers:

It has been a beautiful day in Charleston, SC. HOT! HUMID! Nevertheless, still beautiful. By now, I-26 is reversed, and the last I heard, traffic is moving well. Why? From what I’ve gathered today while driving to the doctor’s office, everyone appears to be staying home. In my neighborhood, I still see people. Definitely not a ghost town.

Maybe our leadership finally recognized road traffic in Charleston is a nightmare on every day, and when crashes happen, it continues to irritate drivers. I see tailgaters, and I don’t think I’ve mentioned those who stomp their cars at a red light, driving thru the red light!

Looks like they finally realized roads need to be reversed whenever we are told to ‘evacuate!’ I understand, it’s a ‘mandatory evacuation’ and I do understand what that means. No, they cannot arrest us; however, if we need emergency services, no one will come to ‘rescue’ us. It’s OK. We will be fine!

But this is not a post about traffic. Just a silly update to keep all informed. Looking out my window, I do not notice tree branches or flowers swaying with the wind. It is quiet. Ever. So. Quiet.

According to news media, the storm will hit the southeast coast on Thursday. I feel confident with updates, things will change.

Meanwhile, I have homemade banana bread baking in the oven. Tomorrow, I’m making a stock pot of my famous homemade chili.

Our Bratty Boys are fine. They do not seem to be as hungry as normally, and Sandy Bear keeps looking into my eyes, staring. I scooped him up, held him close telling him we will be fine. The storm might brush us with winds and rains, but we are prepared. Besides, in October 2015, we survived those infamous One Hundred Year Rains…and it was lots of rain! One thing I refuse to do is to leave my animals, like some people do. While they apply brakes during a rainstorm, as if to say, are you crazy? I’m not going out there. I’ll get wet! I have puppy pads ready. Laundry is clean. All is done, with exception of bringing the outside items inside. That will be done tomorrow. Meanwhile, we wait. All is quiet.

Yes, the calm before the storm!

OOPS…Forgot to mention, looks like I need surgery on my left wrist. Next is a CT scan, then I suppose I will agree to surgery. Maybe. All Depends.

I’ve already told the doctor I do not take pain meds – of any kind. This chick will not even consider “opioids!” After all, I am Woman. Sometimes, when I discover my upper body strength now, I tease my husband telling him I’m Super Woman! Hear me roar.

Only this Super Woman is like a little wounded bird now.

That makes me curious – where do the birds go before a storm? I haven’t seen any birds today and that is unusual. On a normal day I see beautiful red cardinals, woodpeckers. Pelicans. Heck, I haven’t even heard a singing bird. No hummingbirds by the Lantana either. Only butterflies. I hope they survive. It’s just too quiet outside. I want to hear singing, chirping birds and the owl I occasionally hear at nighttime when it is dark outside.

Yes…the Calm. Before. The. Storm!

Hear me Roar!