See, it isn’t the hurricane that we were worried about. We live on the Atlantic Coast. We get hurricanes. It is the 10″ of rain that came with it on top of a record rainfall for August and already swollen rivers. I live at the juncture of three or four major rivers that run through northern NJ, and we have been hit hard. The flooding has exceeded record levels and hasn’t slowed. My poor town. I can walk to all of these places, or at least I use to be able to… It is really really bad…
My husband and my friend/neighbor Deb D’Andrea have been braving the flood waters to photograph some of the places where we shop and drink. I am sad.
And yet life goes on. At least for those of us who can get in and out of our houses and still have power and internet and all the things that we take for granted. Tonight is my daughter’s last night at home. Tomorrow we drive her off to college, to UMass Amherst, in Massachusetts. The car is packed, and the loom is carefully on top of the suitcase that holds her computer. There is barely room for me. We drove around looking for someplace that was open that still served dinner, and found our old friend Columbo’s on Main Street, frazzled and running low on supplies, but still able to make a great pizza. I am grateful for the small things.
So a toast to my daughter’s last NJ pizza for a few months anyway, and tomorrow when we leave, we will stop at the bagel place across the street from Columbo’s Pizza, I hear they will be open, for her last NJ Taylor Ham, Egg, and Cheese. You can’t get them anywhere else.
Bittersweet…
Thinking of you. Sunshine is on its way.
Ghislaine, Hawaii
A toast to Brianna! And to you her parents! Good travels!
Ginnie
Beyond words……….worse than I have ever seen it. I can tell Wofson’s and Maggie Moore’s but where is the church? and the brick bldg.? Was Debra out on a boat taking pictures?
Then as you said, bittersweet! What a treasure is Brianna. Wishing her good health, good times and all her expectations to come true in the best ways. Wishing Mom and Dad the same things with extra strength to get through the turning of a this new page.
Dear Daryl – I’m just back from a computer-free trip. I imagined far worse for you from the hurricane, so after reading your blog, am so thankful you and your family are safe. If members of your community have half your determination, fight, sense of humor and compassion, they will rally to rebuild and restore. Be safe. Godspeed to Brianna and her new life. Think of her “lasts” as “last, until next time!” She’ll be back, and always with you – just not always physically present. Safe travels.
I just cannot imagine what life is like for your family, your community, and so many around the states. What courage you all have to have.
You have my thoughts and sympathy! I have never been damaged much, outside of no power for a week during one of the hottest months of the year around here, but saw what friends went thru down at the coast from Katrina. One of them lived on one of the boats for a LONG time and lost everything she had. When I go there, things like restaurants, we are used to are either moved or just GONE. Things WILL get better. Hope we don’t get “Katia!”
Brianna, Good luck to you as you start a new chapter in your life. Daryl and Kevin, same goes to you as you, now down to one living at home. Thank goodness you are all safe. Lincoln Park looks terrible, but I know they will recover, as they always have. Its hard to see the photos, having been there and walked those streets with you in the past. Drive safe, be well, and God Bless!
Well, Brianna is in her dorm room, we are relaxing and lookong at another trip out for more “essentials” for her room… 🙂
Ginee, the church is St. Joe’s on Comly Road, and the brick bldg is the Beaverbrook Apartments across the street.
Wow. Looking at these photos, all I can say is, thank God it downgraded into a Cat 1.
Daryl, thank God your family is safe. I so totally feel for you. you are the only person I know in NJ and so looked up your Blog. I had been thinking of you and the east coast people. On the West coast we seem to be doing OK, Just a very cold summer, for the most part. Take Care and Bless You. See you at the next west coast event. I was the walking sandwich sign at ANWG 2011 and your helper at Convergence.
Tayler’s ham? Really? I haven’t had for ages. Grew up eating this, as my parents were from Baltimore. Safe travels.
Thanks for the updates. Have not been able to get Bri and you/all off my mind. How well I remember taking you away to college and the void it left for months. Bri will do fine and I need her address so I can keep in touch.