Is a house a home?

It definitely is, and when there's chance it could be damaged, or even

 destroyed, one realizes how comforting it is to have a place to call home. . . . . 

 . . . . . . and how upsetting and stressful it is knowing it could be lost.

Nail biting time is here for those of us in North Carolina, South Carolina and 

Virginia as the first tropical storm of the season, Hurricane Florence, churns

 her way across the Atlantic towards us.

She is a huge category 4 storm, and is being called extremely dangerous, 

perhaps the worst storm to hit the southeast in 60 years.

 Evacuations are already underway along our coast. Here, inland, we are also

 getting prepared as it's highly likely the damaging winds, possible major 

flooding and power outages could reach us.

More later. . . . . . . . .fingers crossed!

Lifelines in a storm. . . . . .

I have weathered storms. . . . . .some really big ones at sea, including the infamous Drake Passage, the roughest ocean in the world! You can read my account HERE where I tell about that wild crossing on my return to Ushuaia, South America from Antarctica in 2013. That body of water, which takes two days to cross, is the treacherous stretch of the great Southern Ocean between the tip of South America, Cape Horn, and the northernmost reaches of Antarctica. 

Severe weather warnings such as we are receiving here today, always set my nerves on edge here on land. Over the years I've lived in North Carolina I've experienced numerous hurricanes, tornadoes, tremendous ice storms, 24 inch snow falls, even a small earthquake. In two hurricanes I've been inside the cottage as huge oak trees fell on the roof and demolished my car in the driveway. In two completely unexpected tornadoes, I was close, very close, to where they touched down in nearby neighborhoods causing horrifying death and destruction.

Fingers are crossed for today as a severe storm system impacts the southeast US. So far we are on a watch for damaging winds, heavy rain/hail, and the possibility of tornadoes this afternoon. Praying everyone will remain safe, and that all have a secure place to wait out any severe weather conditions. 

Be back soon with happier things to share hopefully. Weather can be quite stressful, and weather reports such as we are getting today, unnerving to say the least!