2:25 am. Power flickered several times before it finally went out. It’s really, really dark, and it makes the wind sound that much louder. I moved from the couch into the closet with the girls. I can’t sleep because of the sound of the branches slapping against our roof. It sounds like somebody is running across the ceiling. Every once in awhile we get a really , really strong gust. It’s almost like you can feel Mother Nature taking a giant breath and then blowing as hard and as long as possible, then it pauses, and does it all again. I turned on the battery radio and put he earphone in just to block out the sound of the wind. Starting just before midnight I kept seeing out my window what I thought was lightning. The flashes got more frequent and brighter,but there was never any thunder. After I turned on the radio I realized that the flashes were from the transformers blowing. They flashed all night long. We are going to be without power for a long time. It’s going to be a long night.
3:30 am. I called mom and dad, mainly because I was bored and tired of listeneing to the wind. I think I said “this is ridiculous”. I was surprised I still had cell service. They were right on the money when they said it would really let loose around 3. My phone call woke Maddy up, but at least I had someone to talk to. Daisy was getting a little nervous and walked between the bathroom (where Tom had moved) and the closet. Bear was snug as a bug curled up next to the girls. Regan woke up around 4 and we just started telling stories, to block out the sound of the wind. I didn’t want them to get too scared. I thought we’d all feel better if we could just make It to 5 am, which would, in my mind anyway, kiss the night goodbye and we’d be on the downhill swing to daylight. Bear snores, and has really bad breath. 5am. The neighborhood is starting to come alive via walkie talkie. Talked to a few people I didn’t know. They all start out with, is anybody awake? Is anybody out there? One guy lost his fence, but didn’t get any water in his house. Don’t k now where he lives though. Jim and Lynn came on at 5am and we chatted awhile. It helped to realize that we weren’t the only people riding this thing out. It seemed to be settling down outside with just heavy rain and gusts here and there. I ventured out of the closet for a pantry run, we were all starving!
