This whole Hurricane Irene thing is really amusing. Not from a pending weather tragedy related thing - because I know that there will be lives lost, homes destroyed, families separated.

No, I mean from the "let's rush to Costco and buy massive amounts of perishable food" perspective. Seriously, folks - do you really need to buy enormous packages raw chicken and a dozen loaves of bread? Or that big ass chocolate cake (which is really rather delicious)?

Honestly - I am worried. One of the storm projections puts the eye right over my area on midday Sunday. I fully expect to lose power, and restoration could take days. The Island is well equipped for snow storms, but we haven't had a hurricane land since '83. Back in 1999, when Floyd was supposed to hit, it did something weird and ended up in central New England, instead. Which was where I happened to be vacationing.

But anyway, I digress.

I'm not in danger from flooding. My property is on high ground, and both the North and South Shores are about a dozen miles away. There are some trees in the front, but I don't think they are big enough to hit the house.

I did go to Costco, hoping to buy some water, but they were out. I got two cases of seltzer instead (I do drink that stuff), plus two big Brita fridge dispensers. And some bottles. I'll fill everything tonight and turn down the temp in the fridge, just in case.

The only other thing of note for my preparation was to bring in my grill and get it into the garage, and that's done. I have no patio furniture to worry about.

So, my dearest flist...I hope on Monday, I'll be feeling slightly foolish about this when the damn storm makes a right hand turn and heads out to sea.

But in case it doesn't - everyone in Irene's path is in my thoughts. You are all smart and cautious people who wouldn't do silly things like going surfing or ignore evacuation orders, right?

Stay in touch, and reach out to me if you need a friend. I'll be here.

Love you all.