Each New Day

It snowed here last week! It was a big event for kids and adults alike! I learned on the news that it is only the seventh time it has snowed in December here in the last 115 years! Another thing I keep hearing is that there must be some connection between snow and hurricanes. Ignoring a couple of exceptions, it seems that since 1961, the winter following a major hurricane making landfall, the winter has brought snow! Interesting correlation….

My husband has always like watching “This Old House” on television. I have  sometimes watch it with him. I especially like the history side of it. Today’s episode was set in New Orleans a few months (maybe a year) after Katrina. They were helping to rebuild a home located just off the Mississippi River. I learned that many years ago, families would build barges, float down to New Orleans and then disassemble the barge and use the boards to build a house! The particular house featured today had barge boards just off the kitchen area. The current owner wanted a “pass through” installed, meaning they would have to cut a large window out of the barge-board wall. I loved how they reused these boards. They made a dining room table out of the boards that were cut out from the wall! The flooring in this house was also recycled wood. The work done on this house was gorgeous. Another fascinating piece of history this owner had displayed in her home was a 16 page letter her grandmother had written to a sister describing her experience following Hurricane Betsy.

It seems as if I learned a lot this week throughout the hurricane and its aftermath. I learned that I am glad we stayed and would do it again. I do think that I would stock up more on some supplies like paper goods, gloves and trash bags. I learned just how good our neighbors really are. I think next time I want to be sure to board every single window. I learned just how important a good roof is. I learned how good it feels to work hard and work together. I learned that I need a car charger for my cell phone. I learned that even my blogging friends were concerned for me. I learned that power can be lost over a very large area and just how long it can take to restore it. I learned how powerful even a moderate storm can be. I learned how hard many people are working throughout the community and surrounding areas. I could probably go on listing, but this seems to be enough for now…..