Good Morning Sandy

I have to say that autumn in NYC usually means to me that a "hello there lovely lady liberty" is done in the glow of a warm sunrise whilst the lights on the Brooklyn bridge and lower Manhattan sparkle their warm glow back in response.  In the wake of Sandy's destruction my good morning greeting has now become a 5am snooze on the shoulder of the East River while on an express bus scooting along on the BQE. 

We've been without hot water, electricity, heat, cooking appliances, et cetera since Monday.  We huddle together under blankets on top of blankets and place Oliver between us in his warmest clothing at night.  Instead of staying up late to watch our favorite show we read by candlelight together and then go to bed at 9:00pm. We've been able to completely clean out our fridge and refrigerator.  We live like gypsies going from one friend's house to the next in search of a place to cook food and take a shower. 

On the downside, Oliver is sick and needs a warm home.  We aren't able to use his nebulizer.  Someone siphoned gas out of our Jeep.  People are walking around Staten Island grocery stores with baseball bats.  And John is doing his best to keep positive in a dark and damp basement apartment with a wound-up pup and an active little guy.


In all honesty however, our complaints are like penny candy compared to the devastation that has rocked our little forgotten borough of Staten Island.  Lost homes and lost lives.  I have nothing to complain about.  NYC I hope for a warm greeting as soon as possible.