Around dinner time last week, our lights went out briefly. Ian moaned, "Not HER again." The boys and I, after a couple of nervous giggles, went into action. Ian pulled out the flashlight and changed the batteries. I opened the drawer with candles, and Jonah and I set the room ablaze with tea lights and tapers. 

We haven't entirely recovered from the scars  of Sandy. We expect disaster and are ready to go into survivor mode now. My sister has a new gas line generator and if the power goes off, we're all ready to fly to her house with air mattresses and gear. My candle drawer was replenished at IKEA. I have stocked up with equal supplies of booze and batteries. 

A big storm is coming. The kids have a half day and should be arriving home in an hour or so. I'm worried about Steve driving home over the Tappan Zee bridge, but leaving work early just can't happen. 

I did my last drive of the day. I went to the supermarket for supplies — comfort food and tea. I filled up the gas tank. I stopped at Barnes and Noble for an emergency book. One does need reading material in the midst of a storm.