Monday...

 The little girl and I were up before the birds, having breakfast at 4 AM. She enjoyed kibble and fresh water while I had leftover dinner and some cubed watermelon. I then got most of the recyclables out, along with a bag of trash before returning to bed. I feel as though I've experienced an adrenal crash since last week and to know that the Atlantic has since grown even more active leaves me hypervigilant.

Our return to bed was cut short by Hispanic men and trucks rolling in to re-do the banisters outside which lead to the second story of these buildings. The noise so disturbed Mercy that she secreted herself behind the bathroom vanity. So much Spanish was flying back and forth it left me thinking of times as a kid, far from here.

I got neither quiet nor sleep with that going on, so reluctantly attempted to read but was unable to concentrate. I've noted a change in my ability to handle both noise and distraction as I'm getting older. I'm not sure why. Since I was up, I did some cooking, preparing some salmon, rice and stir-fry vegetables with bean curd, That will be dinner or lunch for the next couple of days at least.

Wishing you all sweet dreams.

Helene death toll rises, millions still without power

Happy Saturday

 I am still very tired today, however, I have managed to feed both of us, order some groceries and contact all of those who expressed concern during Hurricane Helene. My thanks to everyone here who did the same. I hope I did an adequate job of checking in and providing videos so those of you who do not live where I do have some idea of the effects. There is the potential for further hurricane development in the coming days though it is too soon to know the intensity or path. The season lasts from June 1 through November 30 with September being the peak.

As a result of Helene, I lost power and most of the meager contents of the refrigerator and freezer which I had been eating down prior to the previous hurricane in early August. I am grateful that my power was restored quickly, that I did not flood and that all I lost was food. Many have lost so much more. I live in a densely populated county with grocery stores and hotels and other amenities. The more rural areas hit by Helene pose challenges for residents that I did not face, especially when what is there is damaged or destroyed. 

The wind and rain were a bit daunting, especially in total darkness. Mercy was a trooper. Happy weekend.

WATCH: Chopper shows Helene aftermath in Hillsborough County

Power restored and a new day...

 The power went out overnight here and has been restored in the last 15 minutes. The whole place was out so sleeping was easy except for the wind and rain. It is hard not knowing when power will be restored and whether the contents of the fridge freezer are still safe to eat. There are four possible systems waiting to develop so this is not the end, merely the peak, of hurricane season which ends November 30. Mercy was a little trooper, stationing herself at the foot of the bed and guarding me.

As for me, I am grateful for all concern and good thoughts and happy that  this was not worse. I have no idea what watery mess awaits beyond my door. That can wait. for now, I'll let people know Mercy and I are okay and get some rest. Thank you to everyone. 

Still Waiting

 We've had a lot more rain and wind this afternoon and evening so far with flooding reported here.  Helene is now expected to make landfall sometime between 10 PM and midnight as a category 4 storm in Florida's Big Bend. More rain and wind are expected here. My lights have been flickering.

Tornado Watch Until 8 PM September 26

 We can expect sustained winds between 45-55 miles per hour, with tornadoes possible, 5-8 feet of storm surge which is water blown in, flooding and power outages. If things get bad, Mercy and I will stay in the bathroom as it is the only place without a window. My heart breaks for the folks in Tallahassee and the Big Bend. We had feeder band rain twice yesterday. Right now, nary a blade of grass is moving and all is eerily quiet. I've fed Mercy and eaten a large, hot breakfast. Please keep this State in good thoughts. Mercy was upset by thunder yesterday and sought the comfort of her stroller. I cannot imagine what she will feel as this day and night go on. 

Happy Saturday...

 We've both had a bit of a nap since getting up at 4 AM. Mercy has developed the habit of bounding into bed and madly licking any part of me she can reach. This is certainly more effective than an alarm clock since Mercy has no snooze button. Licking can express affection and is also associated with grooming or asking for attention, All are signs of devotion, so I've not done badly as a cat guardian. Another new habit is gently placing her paw on my arm to remind me it is time to eat, scratch her chin or the top of her head or get a toy she wants me to play with. She seems to really enjoy Mr. Snake, anything I  can throw that she can retrieve or anything which rolls across the floor. At present, she is watching birds and anoles through a front room window. I've yet to find the baby anole that came indoors, and Mercy appears to have lost interest.

As for me, I'm slowly catching up on chores, enjoying some tea and reading a book with 42 chapters, a story set in the Pacific Northwest during World War II. I am about midway through and want to see if the ending I imagine matches that of the author.

Cheers!

Get a move on...

 My resident huntress has spotted an anole in our flat and is going crazy attempting to get at it. The terrified anole has secreted itself beyond my reach or I would return it outdoors. Our sleep schedules are a bit topsy turvy with her late-night activities. I've been up since three, had a breakfast, washed up, taken out the recycling and trash, fed her highness, and now want to go back to bed. We have rain on the way so it will be a good time to sleep, though my latest read may foil best laid plans. More on that later.

Have a great day!

Toys, noise and the late-night zoomies...

 Mercy has been having fun wreaking havoc with sleeping schedules and otherwise being a bit of a diva. After destroying the neatly folded laundry, she went to her box and unearthed several baby toys she hasn't bothered with in months. They are now scattered throughout the bathroom, bedroom and sitting room and except for eating, sleeping and following me around, she has entertained herself non-stop. The late-night zoomies in which cats run from room to room at breakneck speed is actually a thing and I have no idea when I will get to bed. Mercy had a visit today and got her pedicure and preventive for flea, tick and heartworm. I am bleary-eyed and my low back issues, though improved, remain.

Cheers from Mercyland...

Eleven Months Old Today...