Me, Myself and Irene - No Love Story.

Sorry!  I just HAD to say it.  I've been following her progression and all her changes since yesterday.  It looks like the storm has dropped in intensity - although, I am not sure what the BIG deal is about a drop of a mere 5 mph when we're talking about 100 mph - and her route has shifted slightly to the east.  This all means (to me) that the timetable for preparedness is now shorter, even though the effects of the storm should be less than first predicted. 

I have, inevitably, made a list.  (Waiting for the sound of bodies dropping in a faint of surprise.)  It is fairly detailed and starts at one end of the property and works around in a circle.  I thought you might all find this hilarious interesting.  First and foremost, stowing all the smaller, loose objects.  Even if our winds only hit around 40 mph, a missed step-in post can do a lot of damage to, say, car windows.  Overlooked poultry netting can get caught in hooves.  Feed bins not lashed down and weighted, can blow over and precious feed (KACHING) will be ruined in the rain.  I am including putting a board over the shed window - the plastic that replaced the previously broken glass won't hold up to much, and there's not much sense in putting something in a structure to protect it, when it will get rained on.

I am also going to take the opportunity to coil hoses, bungee cord my grill and trash cans to the deck, and bring in my precious Meyer Lemon tree.  I am also going to remove the screen off the sliding glass door and stow it in the shed.  I know how much it costs to replace, and don't want to add that expense to everything else.  I've got 10 gals of potable water inside, my Berkey filter reservoir is full.  I'm going to pick up ice tomorrow and put necessary things in the cooler, so I can stay out of the fridge when the power goes off.

I'm going to finish tarping the baled hay in the barn - it is not water tight, and I don't want to lose any bales.  If I have time (haha) I might take the added precaution and make a little tepee inside the barn for the goats.   They are in a pretty sheltered spot, but it may be less traumatic to have a smaller, secure area in which to cuddle up.  I don't think I'll have to worry about filling waterers, given the forecast for inches of rain.  If it wasn't going to blow so hard, I'd set up my water barrel.  I may try to do that anyway.

The oil lamps are filled, with shades cleaned.  I have candles and matches at the ready.  I have both a battery-operated radio (note to self:  buy more batteries) and a hand cranked radio. On my list is to charge my cell phone; pick up cat food, poultry feed and dog food; and check the propane for my grill.  And, best of all, I have my doggies to keep me warm!  In a way, I do hope the storm hits earlier.  I would rather have the ability to assess damage Sunday, rather than wake to it on Monday.  That is NO way to start the week!

Signing off for now.  I'll post tomorrow if I get the chance.   If you are in Irene's path, I hope you are all safe and secure -- and well-prepared.