(photo courtesy of WPRO)

Say a prayer for the East Coast tonight. That’s what we’re doing, 3000 miles away. New Englanders are accustomed to hurricane warnings, storms, storm surges and nor’easters. These Yankees are not easily rattled by weather predictions, aside from stocking up on milk, bread, water and batteries.

But I’ve been streaming a Rhode Island radio station today and this hurricane sounds as if it means business.

Friends and neighbors have been evacuated from their homes. Heavy rains will start Saturday night. Heavy winds begin Sunday morning. And a storm surge is due Sunday afternoon. The bridges will be closed, as 90-100 mph winds are expected.

While I listened to the radio this afternoon, my good friend Ruth called in with advice about pets during emergencies like this.  She and others in the state have worked on this issue since Hurricane Katrina stranded so many animals.  I got a kick out of hearing her voice.

For those of you who have asked about my family: my mother lives on a hill, safe from flooding. My brother and sister-in-law are with her. I’ll be talking to her in the morning and will let you know what is going on. NancyK has checked our house several times and has taken care of things there. I hope she doesn’t have to work Sunday morning–and so does she.

Things here on the lake are quiet. Everyone I’ve talked to is exhausted from another busy summer with family and friends. We’ve all had tons of company.

I’m going to spend tomorrow cleaning out the freezers and closets while listening to the computer for Hurricane Irene reports.  This is the first time in years I’ve missed having a television.

But I won’t be far from the computer this weekend.  I hope all the news is good.

Be safe, everyone.