Grace without glory ----------

  

The storm has passed. Hurricanes batter and damage for days and this one

 is no different as it crawls along the east coast.

We, further inland in North Carolina, were fortunate this time with nothing more

than torrential rain for many hours and wind gusts late last night. I admit, sleep

was a long time coming for me!

No power outages in our neighborhood but many are without south and east of us. 

This morning the sun is already shining. Small debris from trees will be cleaned up 

as they dry out - thank you Bob - and I will return all the possible flying projectiles,

now stored in the potting shed, back in position on the front porch, back deck and gazebo. 

Our thoughts and prayers are now with those still in Dorian's path along the coast, 

and those who have been damaged or injured. The latest news from the

Bahamas is heartbreaking with so many people missing and unbelievable damage

to the islands.

I walked into the back garden and was surprised by this beauty. 

Just one flower on the start of a white Rose of Sharon tree.  

In a pot, planted by a garden bird, not me!
Nature's beauty always phenomenal - but her wrath can be so cruel.

I immediately felt the connection. This is the book I've just finished reading. 

It too was a huge surprise. 

Picked up at the Dollar Store as the cover looked interesting.

What a story of a place I'd never heard of. . . . . in a country that has known terrible
times.  Who knew that massive ships must eventually die, or the horrendous 
story of their dangerous disposal which kills, maims, and impacts the health
of so many.

 A fabulous, but often gut-wrenching, read. 
Powerful writing. 
A history.
A love story like no other.

This one goes on the shelf with my special books, the ones I will read again

 when life is quiet and I have nowhere to go.

Art in the bath---------------------

I'm bouncing this quick post off blog friend Melanie's post from yesterday.

She's starting Fall with a bit of a decorating dilemma HERE on her always

 great blog, Comfy House. It revolves around what to hang on the walls

in small bathrooms. Having two similar bathrooms myself, I'm offering 

my ideas which do not involve any shelving which I think invites more 

clutter than a little room can take. Instead I hang 'art' which includes 

photos I've taken and framed, and one resin shell hanging just 

because I like it for a bathroom.

Meanwhile I'm sitting here as Hurricane Dorian approaches the North Carolina

coast, terrified that it might decide to come inland (recalling the destruction even

 here in and around Raleigh, and to our home, from Hurricane Fran in 1996). 

Will I even have bathrooms and other rooms still standing come the weekend?  

Will my cottage blow away --- tornado activity comes with hurricanes --- tumble down, 

or need repairs. Having removed anything that could fly through the air from

 the porch or deck and cause damage, I'm here inside but definitely on

 tenterhooks today!

Bathroom No: 1

 This was actually a magazine clip of French linen skeins that I made

 into a collage and framed.

Savon de Marseille - French soaps.

Bathroom No: 2

 B/W photos from my second African safari in 2012.

The resin shell hanging - purchased at HomeGoods many years ago.

I hope you will visit Melanie's always interesting blog - and 

perhaps you can assist her with some bathroom decor ideas.

Take care everyone who may be in the path Dorian chooses

to follow along the eastern seaboard during the next few days.