We keep finding things that were affected, like the pump losing its prime at the second well, a pickup with a dead battery and more problems. We primed the pump, it's okay. DH got the big generator started today to be ready for whatever later storms come. The truck can just sit and wait for two hands. The sawed-up tree is still on the driveway until someone comes to help later this week. I hauled off all the little limbs I could lift, just so it looks as if we're 'doing something' about it. This weekend was just so much better than last -- and I removed the staples from DH's incisions today. Hooray! We didn't have to drive 60 miles each way to Doctor's office, they mailed a staple remover when I asked if I could do it. (Children, do not attempt this maneuver at home if you've not done it before.) DH says he is going to tell the doctor that he was afraid to complain, for fear I would put them back, LOL. I hope things will return to normal soon for residents of the Gulf Coast who were in the path of Gustav. We're watching Hanna now; stay safe, FlowerLady. Nell

Peaseblossom, I just want to provide a little information that I thought might be interesting since you're talking about the climate there...and thanks for the reiteration! How long have you lived in Vietnam? Dai, Since Hong Kong is located in the tropic, shouldn't light intensity be the same throughout the year since the sun is always directly overhead in the tropic? Just curious since I never lived that far north in Asia. Thanks Eggo, Thank you so much for asking that question. You truly have a heart of gold! Yes, it was a horrible experience. One that I will remember for a long time. We had our fair share of tropical storms and hurricanes but usually stay home. Not this time though. People in the Galveston/Houston areas were freaking out over what had just happened in New Orlean caused by Hurricane Katrina. This was actually the first time I saw people in this region of Texas got serious and worried about this other hurricane, Rita. All I can say was it was horrible. Not in the sense of the storm, but the traffic!! Yeah, we decided to evacuate the island--first time ever since we moved here. We were fortunate, I take that back, very fortunate for leaving a tad bit earlier than the mass exodus of cars and trucks that followed us shortly afterward toward Houston. We stayed at a close family place up there and decided that we're going to weather out the storm if it decides to hit here head on. On our way to Houston we listened to the radio and the weather forecaster told us that Rita was to become a category 5 hurricane!! It eventually became the third strongest hurricane on record in the Atlantic and it was heading toward Galveston!! My family was ready for the inevitable. What if we no longer have a house? What if our business is gone, what are we to do? Family prayed all night and the next day and the day after. With every day gone by, the hurricane got weaker and weaker. When it almost landed, what was once a 175 mph freak of nature in the middle of the Gulf mellow out, miraculously, into a 125 mph wind of destruction. Yes it was still a killer hurricane but a much less destructive one nontheless. And I be darn, the thing all of a sudden decided to head slightly due east from the projected path!! We felt very relieved for us and our friends back home on the island even though East Texas and Louisiana will feel the brunt of the hurricane. I wished it didn't hit anywhere in the U.S. but a direct hit on Houston, the fourth largest city in the U.S., will most likely have caused catastrophic damage to the city much like New Orlean, possibly more even. Long story short, Rita decided to hit almost dead center at the Texas-Louisiana border and caused extensive damages from Port Arthur, Tx to almost the entire left half of Louisiana. Fallen trees, flooding, mass electrical failure, toppled houses, looting, you name it. Everything that could easily have happened here had Rita wanted to. Fortunately, Rita didn't stay too long to cause more damage once it made landfall. The whole event was chaotic for the millions of Texans as well as Louisianans who had to endure it. Houston, a city that once housed the largest shelter for Katrina refugees, the Astrodome, eventually looked destined to become another New Orlean. One can only imagine what was on the minds of Katrina refugees who was forced to leave their beloved city just weeks ago. Soon they were forced to go on buses heading toward other refugee camps in Arkansas, San Antonio, and Dallas to name a few. And locals, can't forget them. Took us about 6 hours to drive 50 miles and I thought that was insane. Later I heard some people had to spend a whole day just to leave Houston!! At the peak of traffic chaos, going from Hwy 160 east to Hwy 160 west withing the city was a 6 hour journey!! Cars were idling too long, many without gas, many pleading to the government for food and essentials. It was just horrible. The worst traffic jam you can possibly think of in Texas. Back home we felt very relieved that our house and business were intact. Rita was not so forgiving to our garden though. We had many toppled trees such as our large moringa as well as a couple of large indian jujubes. The two year old royal paulownia tree was bent, and still is. I'm trying to fix that somehow. And our papaya grove is left in ruined. Lots of torned leaves and broken papaya trees bent in half. Overall, half of the papaya trees are gone but those left were quickly re-erected as were all the other trees that fell. Fortunately, non hit our house and caused any major damage. Boy what a crazy year it has been. A record hurricane seasons, hurricanes of which the most massive ever recorded. And the freak snow, who can forget that. I'm just amazed at how all these so call tender mango, papaya, avocado, pomegranate, moringa, rose apple, indian jujube are able to withstand these conditions. I guess, like a migrant from the tropic, if I can do it so can they!!

Unfortunately, rain isn't a friend of homeowners who live in close proximity to beautiful streams, etc. When there aren't storms, it is a beautiful setting, but when we get heavy rain, it's been a huge problem. Over-building in a formerly farmland-type area has left little in the way of "buffers" that has protected us from this kind of flooding (have been here 25 yrs.), and it has only been in the last couple of years that we've encountered this level of flooding when a nor'easter blows through. I get that everyone wants to live in a rural area, but once the developers buy loads of acreage on which to build custom McMansions with substantial sized lots, along with many nice sized housing "developments", the former attraction is really lost. Watching the weather closely, I know we are in for alot of rain here in the Mid-Atlantic. While we thought Irene was awful, this storm is alot different, and will inflict much more flooding. joshuasamah, ugh, that picture makes me ill. I have a very good friend who lives on SI. She a child with serious healthcare needs which require being able to access medical equipment in her home. Going to a shelter would be a nightmare for her family. Don't get me wrong, the fact that there are shelters for the displaced are a lifesaver, but when you have to deal with having a child with a need for medical equipment, it is really tough. We've moved everything possible to our 2nd floor. Irene flooded us badly, but it didn't flood our first floor. Realistically, we are unlikely to escape that luxury with Sandy. Oh, and to make things a bit more complicated, my closest neighbor has decided it's been fun to watch 3 beavers build a dam and lodge on her property. What she and her DH don't realize, is that her entertainment has the propensity to put us in a bigger quandry than we are already. Another story for a different thread, lol. Everyone please stay safe!

Annie I think you'll have to agree that the areas effected by Sandy today cannot be compared to storms of 1938 or 1944? Nor can Sandy be compared to Irene, Floyd, Gloria, Donna, Carol etc. The infrastructure (transportation, electricity, gas) of today are MUCH larger and more complex than in 1938 or 44. The areas are more populated and more developed along the coast than 1938 or 44. Thankfully today building codes have improved and are better designed to allow structures to withstand higher wind thresholds. Fortunately technology has advanced as well, alerting us to storms sooner than in 1938 or 44 allowing those in harms way to evacuate when told, or for those who remain, to become better prepared for what may come. Yes, these areas experience snowstorms and blizzards and probably have (or should have) alternative heat sources - allowing them to stay warm if the electricity goes out for an extended period of time during a snowstorm. The sources helping the area today have done this before. Perhaps not for your particular area, but have on other occasions under much worse conditions than those of Sandy. I think people have to realize that it is going to take a long, long, long time to rebuild - and some may never. I think the important thought for those affected is to hold on. That help is out there and on the way - from all over the country. It just may not happen as quickly as they'd think or like, but its on the way. People need to pull together to stay strong and to stay safe.