Two Powerless Nights and my Pipes

[docrx]

The Hurricane began here at the NJ Shore and shortly thereafter we lost power.As the wind whipped the trees and the rain fell in wind whipped sheets, my wife and I lit our candles and turned on the old transistor radio.I had prepared in the regular way having ice and flashlights and batteries ,filled the tub for water,and put all the outside furniture and plants safely away.I had made sure I had a candle for my openned tins and pipe table and settled my nerves with a steady rotation of Pipes and tobacco. As the wife read by candlelight I immersed myself in,Lovats,Bent billiards,Cobs,and Bulldogs. A steady rotation began consisting Of Orlik GS,Mid-day 1888,Petersons Sweet Killarney,McBarens London burley,and my first Viginia, McClellands Blackwoods.I puffed away till i finally tired and slept a bit till dawn and the worst rain and wind did their damage.We made coffee the old fashioned way and waited for the storm to move slowly away,yet we never got our power back till now. I spent the second night much as the first experiencing my tins with a quiet intensity as i hadnt before recognizing the nuances of the blends and my pipes. The calming effects of my pipe smoking helped me through the ordeal and in someway i felt sorry it ended as i enjoyed my time in quiet with my pipes and tobacco. The damage to my property is minimal although a freezer full of food is gone. I hope others fared as well and i will always remember Irene and how my pipe smoking made a difficult time more bearable!

 

[cyndi]

Very cool. Massive storms seem to root us to earth as we realize we are at the whim of nature and I can only imagine the insights the pipe added. I'm glad everyone there is safe!

 

[unclearthur]

Sounds like you got through in fine shape. Many years back I spent a summer baling moss. The shack on the marsh had no power so I enjoyed the comforts of our forefathers . It was very relaxing.

 

[docrx]

Thanks Cyndi and UA..Just completed minor clean up of property and im glad its not bad. Went down to the beach and its quite a mess.Sand on Ocean Ave about 4 foot high and inland lake in Belmar beach being drained back into ocean via tempoary Pipe set up. Boardwalk in next town gone all 2 miles of it.Lots of flooding inland as rivers crest.A huge explosion in north nj from gas leak on news in flooded area. Surfers enjoying the huge swells this am as usual after a storm.Travelling is hit and miss with many roads blocked from fallen trees and debris.Overall things returning to normal slowly.Low on Baccy so its off to for some TAD to replenish my supply.Hopefully the B and M has power.

 

[admin]

Glad you're ok man. It could have been a lot worse.

 

[misterrogers]

I too am glad you're okay.
When I was a little lad, we had a tornado come by. Even though it never hit us directly, it was scary stuff. I remember screaming at my father, something I have only done three times in my life, "NO YOU WILL NOT LET JERSEY (Jersey was our Chocolate Lab) STAY OUTSIDE WHILE TREES ARE FLYING! HOW WOULD YOU LIKE IT IF I LEFT YOU OUTSIDE?" I don't know if he was so shocked that his 10 year old son had a blood vessel popping out of his neck, or if he saw the logic, but Jersey came in the basement and we sat.

 

[ace57]

Glad You made it. ::

 

[rigmedic1]

Yes, glad that you got through it ok. It's good to live like our ancestors every once in a while. Helps to bring back our perspective on what is important in life. ::

 

[bubbadreier]

I am glad that you made it through and that your house suffered minimal damage. Sounds like that area is going to be cleaning up for awhile.

 

[markw4mms]

Glad you made it through ok!

 

[romeowood]

Glad you & the missus are well, and very moved by your experience with your tobaccos. You'll remember those nights for the rest of your life, calling them to mind every time you taste one of the blends you spent that time with. Thank you for sharing them with us, doc.

 

[docrx]

Happy 1000th post Romeo...Im honored!

 

[pipetrucker]

Glad you weathered the storm without major damage. Amazing how calming a good pipe can be. I can imagine many an old sailor puffing away as the sailing ship made it's way through a storm.

 

[ssjones]

Just talked to a buddy in Baltimore. No power since Saturday and they won't have it back on until Friday. He was lucky and someone loaned him an old generator.

I was just up in your neck of the woods last week working, went up to Asbury and the surrounding areas, just to walk on the beach. I don't want to see the damage, but I guess that is mother nature at her worst.

Good luck with recovery.

 

[eaglerico]

As someone who has been through hurricanes Hugo, Katrina, Rita and Ike I can def tell you it could always be worse. Glad you came out ok.

 

[pipedisciple]

I'm in Eastern NC and the damage in Goldsboro was minimal. Had minor flooding under house and shingles off the house with minor inside leaks. Never lost power but most of Goldsboro was out until yesterday. KUDOS to Progress energy. I smoked several pipefuls and worried about the wind but all in all was blessed which is more than I can say for the coast and Outerbanks of NC. Pray for them. :|

 

[matchstickman]

Glad youre doing OK, buddy! I have found that I do some of my best refurb work when the power blips out, as it does kind of frequently in my neck of the woods. And I agree that smoking a pipe when you have no electronic interruptions is kind of a special experience. Thanks for the story and thanks for letting us know that you and yours are all right!