I wasn’t able to post during Hurricane/Tropical Storm Irene, because our power was out and if you live in New England, you probably could not have read it because your power would have been out as well. Our First Selectman, Barbara Henry and our town’s Fire and EMS chiefs, volunteers and road workers did an outstanding job, working around the clock, making sure all the residents in this town were safe and trying to open access to roads as quickly as possible. There were so many trees down that for several hours, there was no route out of town, which was a major problem, as there are not hospitals in this town. Fortunately nobody was injured here.
We just had a few tree limbs come down at our house, but unfortunately, the lake house was flooded.
Before Irene:
After Irene:
DAMN YOU IRENE!
Normally, you walk down the ramp to the dock. When that photo was taken, the lake was actually higher than the house and you had to walk UP the ramp to the dock. Amazingly, our dock and boat were fine. Many on the lake lost their docks and some had houses that flooded, though they had never flooded before.
There was such a strange atmosphere before the storm. The air was so still. I wondered if our animals sensed the approaching hurricane and if they would try to warn us, just like those elephants who led the people to higher ground before the tsunami.
This is how Gomer warned us of the approaching storm:
An hour later, in the middle of the torrential rain and high winds, he changed his position. We know the change in pose was his way of telling us something, but what? What.
I hope you are all fine after the storm.
Your poor house! My sister (in New Canaan) had really terrible damage too. We squeaked by with tree limbs down and flooding. Gotta love the northeast!
I am so sorry about your lake house!
Irene was the worst visitor that anyone could ever host. So glad that, you all were not injured.
I gasped when I saw the photo of your lake houes under water — ugh!!! I’m so sorry that happened.
Gomer — what a trooper. Taking it like a man. So brave.
Damn you Irene is right!!!!
For once our house in Westport went unscathed – lots of little branches and leaves down but nothing else. My heart goes out to the people in New Jersey – all of the pictures on TV show lots of water and MUD in their houses and they say the water will go even higher this week when the Passaic river crests again on Thursday. Talk about misery on top of misery.
Terrible about the lake house – especially since it was just newly finished – but I’m sure you and Denis will have it up and running soon. Glad no humans, or animals were hurt! How is your new baby Zidane? Can’t wait to see pics!
Ann, so sorry about the lake house. I had been wondering if you had been working as an EMT through all this, did you have to report in? Now I see this morning 2 more storms forming out in the ocean, this is not going to be a good hurricane season. Hope all the bloggers and their families are safe.
Oh my. That is a real shame about your lake house. Now you have to deal with the insurance companies, and start over. I hope the lovely light fixture was salvaged.
I can’t believe Irene’s wrath took a turn inland. I had not expected that. I feel horrible for everyone who had to sustain damage to their homes. We lost a floating dock, which is minor compared to some of the other shoreline towns in CT. I shudder to think of what a Cat 2 would have done. I’m keeping a close eye on Katia. Oy.
Oh, no, I hate to see your newly-completed lake home become a lake in and of itself
When our house in Ft. Lauderdale, which was in the process of being remodeled, got trashed via the fallout from Katrina, it was devastating. The new hardwood floors, the sheetrock, the AC unit, trees and garden and grass, furniture, etc. But we were safe and the pets were safe, we were so lucky in that. Everybody knows what Katrina did when she moved on from the coast of FL, so we felt guilty about the grief we felt over the ravaging of our home, compared to what others suffered. What I keep having to remind myself is that grief cannot be compared.
I just want to say – though you probably already know this – that it’s okay to feel and to express the grief of a flooded lake house. Something you loved was harmed; that’s a real loss; separate and away from anyone else’s loss.
It’s such a paradoxical, oxymoronic, Catch 22 grab bag of emotions. That mix of thoughts & feelings that make up being grateful for what didn’t happen – especially in light of what’s happened to the property and loved ones of others – and yet still to be left surrounded by the reality of your own battle, the proof of your wounds. While I’m glad the scars left behind are only on property, I know it hurts – and like all the other good people here- I am truly sorry for that loss.
Eloquent and honest as always.
My heart goes out to all those who were affected by the hurricane! I hope everyone and their beloved animals escaped injury.
My crush on Gomer just grows. What a fabulous dog.
Ann, I’m so sorry—what a hassle! However, I’m glad everyone is okay…Denise, as always, summed things up so well. Take care and I’m sure we will soon be looking a pics of a beautiful restoration!
So sorry about your newly renovate Lake House but I’m sure you & Denis will have it back to new in no time! And Gomer sleeping right through it all ~ so cute!
One of my friends told me of Gomer’s terror during the storm, and said it reminded her of my girls, Maggie the Lab and Cleah the Leonberger reacted through the terrifying ordeal. I share with you….
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2089290585014.2107357.1027704569&l=c77aed8260&type=1
SO funny. I love the comment: Oh, the inhumanity.
Mara,
Hilarious!
So funny, Mara! Thanks for sharing those photos.
What a shame about the lake house! It could always be worse, but it still sucks. It just sucks. The end.
We fared ok – we dug trenches in our mud paddock so all the water would run down the hill into our lower field and not into the barns, and it worked! We also recently got power back but feel really lucky, as many neighbors are still without power at least for the next few days, and people in VT were just ransacked by the storm. Aside from one tree down, we got off easy.
Gomer and Snoopy were of like mind the night of the storm – Snoopy had shavings in his ears, whiskers, tail…he slept very soundly through most of it!
KC, I’m so glad to hear you and farm did okay during the storm!
Glad you rode it out well. My friends’ pics and videos from Vermont look ghastly.
OMG,, now it is a house in the lake. We had our house flood three times last summer with the rains in Chicago. Not fun. I hope Gomer can relax now that the storm has passed,, he looks a bit tense.
I am sorry. What a shame. Maybe you shouldn’t do any lake house repairs until after hurricane season is over. Just keep thinking about the ways it could have been worse, and be thankful that it was not.
So sorry to hear about your home Ann and everyone else that had damage. We are all safe and sound here…no damage to home either; we are very lucky. We lost power early Sunday morning and we still do not have power. Had to throw out food.
We have well water so no power means the water pump does not work. We have no running water…..no showers….no flushing of toilets. We can shower at the high school…which is an experience. Hubby swears we must get a generator. Everything is sold out. We will have to get him one for Christmas or his birthday! They should be back in stock by then. He did not see the humor in my sharing that since both events take place in December.
Christine, poor you! We got a generator last year and it was such a great investment. I can’t recommend it enough, it saved our food, our cell phones…and my sanity, because I was able to power up my coffeemaker. Priorities, you know. Fingers crossed that your power comes back ASAP!
My husband is the CALMEST person I know…..however….he absolutely lost it when he had to fill the toilet tank for the 17th time just to see it TRY to flush AND when he watched me throw out tons of food AND heard where we would be showering. When I think of Hurricane Katrina and Japan I know my family and I have nothing to complain about. We are all fine and so is the house so it really is all good….showers at the high school and all!
Christine, I’m not sure where you are in the state but i
And I compliment you on your
if you’re still looking/wanting a generator try going to
PLR 99.1 (radio) web page. They are really helping out
offering help and giving info to those still in need. I
know of a place in Cheshire and a place near Danbury and
no price gauging
good attitude.
Jen,
Thank you so much for your help! You are so sweet. This blog has the nicest people. We got power back yesterday at 9:30PM. We are all so happy….even doing laundry is a joy!
Generators are good, especially for those who have animals that drink gallons of water every day. When we were in the horse business, we had a generator the size of a small car!
Mice finally ate the wiring and now we have a small one, but better than nothing.
Gomer is so sexy! Sad for the Lake House but happy everyone is safe. Also glad your big beautiful trees didn’t fall over at your home.
Awe I am sorry for your house but I am glad you are all ok
Oh, so sorry, Ann! we finally got the power back on this afternoon. hope everyone is well!
Okay, so I will share something weird: I just noticed that Gomer looked a bit like Chewbacca. That’s not the weird part: I sort of had a small crush on Chewbacca. I always thought Chewbacca was pretty darn cute, and then I once heard that Chewbacca was partly based on a dog, and then my crush sort of made sense. Feel free to make fun of me if I sound slightly batty!
Andrea, not weird at all. I remember crushing a little bit on Chewbacca – ha. He was one fine Wookie, with a heart of gold.
Sorry, Gomer LOOKS a bit like Chewbacca. Typo.
Ann:
I am sorry to hear that the lake house got flooded!!!!
But happy to hear that Gomer thought it was best to snooze… he sensed no danger and the rain lulled him to sleep. Amazing
Amazing animals.
And yes, all of the people in charge did a magnificent job!! (from my sofa chair watching the tube..
Ouch! That flood damage would just make me want to shout out a primal scream, then I would drink a martini and plot revenge against Irene. I would work like a mad woman to get everything back to the way it was so I could just obliterate her entire being from my mind and curse her name every chance I could get. When my house, which is the center of me and my family, is under duress from Mother Nature, I don’t know how to act like that nice, friendly person everyone comes to expect. We had our share of water in the basement. But glad to hear that your community rallied and that only things, rather than people, were bruised.
Christine, I highly recommend getting a generator. We got one earlier this year, as my husband was worried about the winter storms here in northeastern NJ. He was worried about having no heat and the pipes freezing. Who knew we would need it for a hurricane? I was able to have my two essentials: coffee pot and hair dryer. Just be advised you will need some electrical work if you intend to run anything besides extension cords, meaning if you want fridge, etc.
We were lucky in my home, I feel I have much to be grateful for. Just a few blocks away, there were three very large trees down. Could not help but marvel at the path they all took as they fell, as though someone surgically determined their path, so as not to damage houses, cars or injury to anyone. If any of these trees had landed on a home, they would have crushed it, and they could have easily killed the inhabitants. Devastating floods just a few miles from me.
Ann, so sorry for your lakehouse. I know how it feels to put your heart and soul into a home, only to have it damaged by water, and you are helpless to stop it. Denise so eloquently expressed exactly what I was thinking.
Maureen,
After this storm, I think we are DEFINITELY getting a generator. We are not getting power back until Tuesday(9/6)at 6pm according to CL&P!!! Not having water is the most difficult part!
I was curious about your favorite tree at home and am guessing that it is fine since you noted only a few tree limbs fell.
Who knows, maybe the lake house will end up even better once its spruced up.
Oh Ann, I am so sorry that your beautiful “eyesore” got flooded. It feels strange to be down here in Florida, dry and safe, and hearing tales of awful destruction up north. I mean really, who ever puts hurricane and Vermont in the same sentence? I hope you are able to restore the lake house with a minimum of hassle.
Now allow me to rail at your husband for a moment.
Saw the coming attractions for the final “Rescue Me”.
3 COFFINS!!! REALLY? Couldn’t have just stopped at nice happy wedding?
I’m so mad at Tommy Gavin, I can’t decide if I want him in one or not!
*exhales*
I feel better now. Thank you.
I called the last episode of Rescue Me. I called it. Last week. My husband is upset at how it will end, but I figure that was the only way they could end the series.
Tommy Gavin!!! Lou! OMG! Everyone from 62 Truck? Sorry…….I know this isn’t appropriate but I had to vent. I’m going to miss those guys and this excellent series. Nothing else to replace it. Ever.
I agree Jane,, what a great show last night, I was laughing so hard I was crying.. I can’t wait for next week., but I have a feeling I’ll just be crying..
I think I need to watch it at my mom’s.We don’t get those cable channels
It is such a great show, and Jane you are right. Nothing will ever replace it. They always try to make up more law shows, more cop shows, but NOTHING could replace Rescue Me. Ann, so sorry about your lake home but I am relieved and thankful you guys and your animals are all ok.I guess that just gives you more of an excuse to spend more time there, fixing it. xxoo
Kristin, I love what you said about cop & law shows, how Rescue Me is irreplaceable. I believe that’s because it’s not a show based merely in a firehouse, the way shows are set in hospitals or cop shops and involve those characters and the goings-on that relate to their particular job. Rescue Me revolves around the lives of firefighters, yes, but the setting – from the very first episode – has always been September 11, 2001.
More than any other show, if I had to compare Rescue Me, I’d say that it best compares to MASH. Clearly not just about doctors or a mobile hospital unit, but about war; about those very souls whose job it is to heal & stitch back together & save the lives of others in the midst of a campaign of killing; the toll it takes on the minds and hearts and families of those serving as first medical responders in a war zone, far away from home. I think that for Tommy Gavin, all the guys of 62 Truck, all the firefighters (& other first responders) of NYC, the job can never be separated out from what happened on 9/11. They carry it with them always. Even more than the brotherhood of firefighting, they are knit together with the memories of those lost, much the way survivors of the Holocaust are bound. And, like Tommy Gavin, they are haunted by it – living each day forward with survivor’s guilt niggling in the back of their brains.
On a much lighter note, Luke & I will be in NYC watching the season finale of Rescue Me & then going to the after party with the cast & crew. I’m so excited I can hardly stand myself. That said, I need to remember to wear waterproof mascara & bring lots of tissues!
http://www.learyfirefighters.org/blog/rescue-me-finale-screening/
Lucky duck! You should bring a box with you because I’m sure other people will need it too. Are you or your husband involved with the show or has Ann invited you guys?
Denise, Once again, you say it so well! PLEASE (please!) blog about your big night in NYC. (By the way, here in Canada, we are still awaiting the final season of this stellar series—I’m a late convert—and yes, there’s nothing quite like it, is there?). All the best to you (and HAVE FUN!).
Okay….my town is not getting power back until Tuesday 9/6. Not having access to water nearby is difficult but we are getting used to making runs here and there to shower and to use the bathroom.
I do have to report to work tomorrow. I’m sure I will be revealing the most creative hairdo…..along with makeup….both done completely in the dark. I’m so tired I don’t have the strength to lug in a bag of things to get ready at work. I’m getting used to the ‘pioneer woman’ look!
On a lighter note….I’m missed the wedding episode on Rescue Me last night!
Christine, I am so sorry about your power situation, watching the news is so unbelievable. I must admit I did not like the wedding episode last night until the end when the guys got in trouble. I had a bad feeling all season we would be ending on a very sad note. The whole wedding scenerio was just too bizarre for me, even if it is the Gavin family. Next week be be a tear jerker, I can see it coming.
Another New Jersey friend update; we were extremely lucky in our home and town. Basement water and a kitchen ceiling drip, but could have been so much worse. I know that all to well, since I have one close friend who had both water and sewage backup ruin her entire basement. And another friend in a northern, flood ravaged area who was out of town when the rivers rose. With cancelled flights, etc. she ended up on a bus to Jersey from Chicago to check on her house, car, belongings. So far, that was the last message we received and we are all very concerned about the state of things with her. I can’t watch the news without some tears–I grew up not far from these areas and know them all so very well.
Barbara, I am watching the NJ situation, and feel the same way you do. It’s a disaster and heartbreak for those poor people. I hope your friend is ok. Let us know.
Barbara,
So sorry to hear your news. This is just awful!
Such a beautiful home, I am so sorry it got flooded and you are dealing with that. Heartbreaking
Ann, sorry to see the flood damage to the “eyesore.” With some attention from you, it will bounce back like new soon. I like Gomer’s attitude…hey, if I have no control over what’s happening I may as well nap. Humans have much to learn from dogs.
To all of you without power out there on the east coast, I am so sorry. Hang in there! We, out here on the west coast, are keeping you all in our thoughts!
Very sorry about the lake house.
Guess you didn’t need to haul buckets of water after all, since the shoreline conveniently rose far enough to save you the trouble.
What a disappointment and a waste. Things seemed ominous when you didn’t post and I was hearing reports of ALL the rain. I hope that the repairs won’t be too horrendous.
It’s good you can lean on Gomer in this difficult time (He does appear to have very good perspective).
Re the first responders, our family has been fortunate to live in the town for more than 25 years and we have always had the best people ever. You are certainly aware that volunteers often know facts that can make a huge difference to the people they help.
Some years ago, a house was struck by lightning while the owner was out, and it caught fire. A neighbor called in the alarm, but the old, wood frame house was getting involved in a hurry. The owner of the home bred dogs on a small scale, and had several living indoors at the time.
Firefighters went to work on the blaze, and brought out the animals, but one of the firefighters knew a dog was still missing. He managed to get the limp, apparently lifeless creature outside–and gave it artificial respiration, which brought it back from the brink. Where else can you live where all your pets are known to those on a fire call?
Needless to say, the owner was incredibly grateful to have his beloved friends safe, despite some (lightning quick) damage to the house.
Of course, that’s just one incident and I needn’t go into disasters of more epic proportion here, but it shows the attention to detail and level of care we are blessed with.
We all have “stuff” to deal with and I can’t get rid of that old adage, “Into every life some rain must fall,” even a wicked good one, apparently.
Good luck with the mess, to you and the town. It’ll probably be cleaned up by the time I get back, which does make me feel guilty.
Hope M. Zidane hasn’t fled back to Canada!
WE HAVE POWER AS OF 9:30PM LAST NIGHT!!!!!!!!! CHILDREN WERE JUMPING UP AND DOWN…JUST LIKE CHRISTMAS MORNING!
YAY for you!! Amazing how we take it for granted, huh? My 80 year old Mom is scheduled to leave on Wednesday, on a trip with her senior group, to Vermont and New Hampshire. The organizers have changed the itinerary somewhat, and insist it will be fine, but understandably, my Mom is beside herself. They are now going to the Montpelier area. Any bloggers here from VT?
Hey Kristin, just follow that link I gave up there, it’ll take you to the info!
Lynn, I did blog a bit already about Rescue Me, and will again after the finale, I’m sure
Ann, when I checked my blog site stats – which I do at the end of every week jto see how people make their way to it – I had 10 times the normal hits from people using search engine terms looking for info on the end of the RM season. It just has to feel darn good to know so many people care. Also, my favorite term someone used: “Denis Leary finally sexy Rescue Me”
I’m pretty sure they meant to search for finale, but who knows? Gave me a good laugh.
Happy Labor Day weekend, y’all ~