Frankenstorm, an Absent Parade, and Scarlett O'Hara
The storm Sandy, formerly known as a hurricane, is visiting tonight. She's a little later than expected. But really: Sandy? Frankenstorm's name is SANDY? Doesn't this sound like a little blonde girl with pigtails and freckles? The name doesn't exactly strike fear into the hearts of coastal dwellers.
The Del Ray Halloween Parade was canceled today. But the storm wasn't here yet; the parade probably could have gone on as usual. Still, it was the best call. Meteorologists expected things to be starting to get wild around noon today; nobody knew the storm would hold off. It's 9 p.m. now and we've still had only a few sprinkles, but the wind is picking up, and it can't be long now before the rain comes down in buckets.
Schools and the local and federal governments are all closed for tomorrow. Some school systems have already announced closings for Tuesday, as well, though that seems premature. The computer models do look like this is going to be a bad one, though the worst of it will be north of here.
Still, not even a hurricane can keep a good party down. The Krupicka Annual Family Halloween Party was on. I wore my Scarlett O'Hara dress and was accompanied by my son as a Confederate soldier (who didn't understand why I kept calling him Ashley) and my husband as Abraham Lincoln. Many others came in costume: The Addams Family, Dr. Horrible, several Districts' worth of Hunger Games tributes, gypsies, witches, ninjas, an ancient Roman, Hermione Granger, Hedwig, a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, and many others. We even had someone who looked exactly like U.S. Congressman Jim Moran. Oops. That really was U.S. Congressman Jim Moran.
The baked potato bar had been moved inside, in anticipation of stormy weather, but everyone had a great time.
Now, we have plenty of batteries, charged cell phones, bottled water, and extra ice. The gutter extensions are extended, the hatches are battened, and I have removed my corset and petticoats. There's nothing else to do to prepare for the storm; we're ready to welcome Franskenstorm. Even if its name is Sandy.
The Del Ray Halloween Parade was canceled today. But the storm wasn't here yet; the parade probably could have gone on as usual. Still, it was the best call. Meteorologists expected things to be starting to get wild around noon today; nobody knew the storm would hold off. It's 9 p.m. now and we've still had only a few sprinkles, but the wind is picking up, and it can't be long now before the rain comes down in buckets.
Schools and the local and federal governments are all closed for tomorrow. Some school systems have already announced closings for Tuesday, as well, though that seems premature. The computer models do look like this is going to be a bad one, though the worst of it will be north of here.
Still, not even a hurricane can keep a good party down. The Krupicka Annual Family Halloween Party was on. I wore my Scarlett O'Hara dress and was accompanied by my son as a Confederate soldier (who didn't understand why I kept calling him Ashley) and my husband as Abraham Lincoln. Many others came in costume: The Addams Family, Dr. Horrible, several Districts' worth of Hunger Games tributes, gypsies, witches, ninjas, an ancient Roman, Hermione Granger, Hedwig, a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, and many others. We even had someone who looked exactly like U.S. Congressman Jim Moran. Oops. That really was U.S. Congressman Jim Moran.
The baked potato bar had been moved inside, in anticipation of stormy weather, but everyone had a great time.
Now, we have plenty of batteries, charged cell phones, bottled water, and extra ice. The gutter extensions are extended, the hatches are battened, and I have removed my corset and petticoats. There's nothing else to do to prepare for the storm; we're ready to welcome Franskenstorm. Even if its name is Sandy.