Blog: Pre-storm Musings

I'm passing the pre-dawn hours by weighing the pros and cons of the "Perfect Storm" predicted to make a direct hit on our part of NJ. Let me share:

PRO: It sure has put "Central Jersey" on the national map. I can't turn on a weather-related channel or go to a weather-related website without seeing my usually invisible part of the state somewhere close to the lead paragraphs.

PRO: It definitely has boosted the economy in every store that sells weather-related supplies from generators to ordinary batteries and flashlights. Poland Spring should declare a stockholder dividend judging from the cases of its water I saw people holding at the Target checkout. Supermarkets and liquor store products are also flying off the shelves. Lots of working folks will get to earn significant overtime and have more money to shop for Winter Holiday gifts.

PRO: It has made us hyper-aware of the normal potential disaster plans we should have in place anyway such as a go-bag, evacuation plan, non-perishable food etc. Communities that have not defined/publicized public shelter opportunities might rethink their efforts and correct them before the next potential disaster.

PRO: It could be worse. For most of us, the event will only be rain and not snow. If this was snow it would be up there in multiple-feet.

PRO: If we lose power, I can enjoy using my favorite fountain pens to write with and fill new notebooks with all the different color ink I love to use.

CON: It is so hard to tell from media-hyped storm to media-hyped storm when danger is real since the media starts reporting the story a week before real local-related data can be presented. I know that this hype creates tons of involuntary-generated adrenalin fear in my brain, and I am assuming in others too

CON: This may be a bitch of a recovery if we do get a direct hit since the storm is a really long lasting one with regard to wind etc. And it may be personally expensive to find folks to assist in the cleanup of tree limbs etc. who do not jack their prices.

CON: Since the only phone I have is caveman "dumb," I will undoubtedly go through Facebook and Pet Pupz (my FB game) withdrawal.

CON: If power is out, my favorite TV shows won't record and I will have to watch them On Demand with their commercials and not being able to use my fast forward button.

CON: My darling Boxer steadfastly refuses to go out to do her business in the rain or wind. Three or four days of such conditions are a long time for her to "hold it." On the other hand, my beautiful Golden Retriever will probably want to lie on the patio and take a rain bath, come in side with his muddy paws, shake himself off mightily, and smile as only a Golden can do when being mischievous.

What are your pros and cons? Whatever they are, if you are affected by this storm, STAY SAFE!!!

Judy Shepps Battle is a New Jersey resident, addictions specialist, consultant and freelance writer. Her weekly column "It Takes a Village" appeared in the South Brunswick Patch for a year. She can be reached by e-mail at writeaction@aol.com. Additional information on this and other topics can be found at her website at http://www.writeaction.com/.

Copyright 2012 Judy Shepps Battle