What Lantern Top?

So when I thought we had absolutely no damage
from Tropical Storm Irene (nee Hurricane),
I might have been just a little mistaken.

This morning my husband said to me,

"Did you notice that the top of the outside lantern is gone?"

Ooops.

That must have happened while Annie and I were sitting on the study sofa

watching The Weather Channel, accompanied by nachos and wine.

But yes, the pagoda-like top of the lamp near our street steps

has clearly gone A.W.O.L.

As for finding it, it's probably blown away to Poughkeepsie.

Now you have to keep a secret.  I picked out this lantern, but once it was installed I realized it was too small,

so I've never liked it.  I may not look all that carefully for the lamp lid carcass on the lawn.

This is my chance to get it replaced; don't tell Howard, okay?  Okay.  I'll keep your secrets, too.

Pinky swear.

************************************************

This morning I reached for a shampoo towel in our bathroom

linen closet, and it was wet.  And so were its little shampoo towel siblings.

All damp.

I looked up, and it seems that clever Irene found a spot in the roof to

wiggle her way into the attic, and then down into the linen closet.

Bad, bad Irene.

Anyone know a good roofer in Morris County NJ?

*************************************************

Meanwhile, we are wondering how the beach house fared in this.

That's our family house, on the left -- hope the cove still looks like this!  From July 2011.

I have tried calling some people who live in the area -- like our plumber -- but all I get is

"We're sorry.  Your call cannot go through."

There are loads of trees down.  Some of the crops out there took a beating, too.

This corn is definitely no longer as high as an elephant's eye.

This shot and the next two from NorthForkPatch.com, taken by Wendy Annibell

 A beautiful sailboat, beached, in Cutchogue.

Note the name of the boat:  Bittersweet.

 Anne and I had breakfast on this beach in Greenport, last Wednesday.

What sand?

Otherwise, for our family, all is well.  Our "damage" is negligible and easily repairable,

although check back with me if we need the whole roof replaced.  You'll find me in the local debtor's prison.

Our church is lining up assistance for the half dozen or so member families who have suffered terrible damage in this storm,

and Annie and I will do what we can tomorrow.  I'm sure other religious and civic organizations all along the Atlantic coast

are doing the same.  Having lived through floods, I know how good it is to have someone come and care.

-- Cass

A personal P.S. -- Just so the family members who read the blog are up to date. . .   My brother Lindy and his wife Carol in North Carolina are still without power, and it is getting hot and humid there now; many of their neighbors are abandoning ship and moving someplace with electricity for the duration.  My other brother Kirby and his wife, who live in Williamsburg, VA, have had their power restored, but no cable or internet or land line phone.  I talked with Doris today and she hopes Lindy and Carol will move in with them for a few days.  Everyone likes a post-storm slumber party.  Love to all.
P.P.S.  Carol and Lindy have power now -- so they are basking in blessed air conditioning!