Panic and Preparation

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sols_5-years_w1An early Slice, posted today so I can link up to the Two Writing Teachers community - even if the storm takes out our power. 
There is a fine line between panic and preparation - a line which seems to grow ever fainter as I grow older.

I am the one who wakes up in a cold sweat after an episode of Mythbusters, and frantically searches for one of those "hammer" tools online. You know, the ones that can smash out a window and cut my safety belt in the unlikely event that my car plunges off a bridge into icy water. Come on, I can't be the only one who runs through scenarios in my head to make sure I would be able to get my children out of the car. Okay... maybe I am.

I am the one who hears "preppers" talking about stocking up on water purifiers and emergency rations to be ready for a global economic collapse and seriously considers purchasing books on how to build traps and skin what I've caught so I can cook it over an open fire. Perhaps I should mention that I don't really know how to use my own pocketknife?

I am the one who keeps extra gallons of water in the basement - "Just in case". Shh.. I tell my husband it's for my coffee maker.


My Aviary-Edited PhotoSo when the whisper down the lane warnings started up about Frankenstorm, I had to start taking calming breaths. We cleaned up the yard. We straightened the garage so that we have a spot for our generator. We stocked up on books, found the flashlights, and made sure we have propane for cooking in case of prolonged power outages. There was no sand at the Home Depot, so we grabbed bags of salt instead. I got vetoed on my desire to fill up the bathtubs with extra water and board up the windows, though.







My Aviary-Edited Photo
No, not this tree.
Not worried about this tree!
My Aviary-Edited Photo
That one, in the back.
Yeah, that's the one.




We may end up with a wet basement. We may even have a tree fall on the house. (Okay, now I'm panicking again and picturing where that tree might fall.)






Honestly, though, it's time to just settle in with a few good books and snuggle up with the boys. We'll be just fine. See you on the other side.

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