Aftermath

We did just fine.

Although lots and lots and lots of our friends and neighbors lost their power and haven't gotten it back yet, we never lost ours at all. And although the winds were fierce and the trees came down all over town, it didn't rain much, so our basement didn't flood.

I have Survivor's Guilt. The extent of my hardship was cleaning my bathroom so my friends can shower without getting too grossed out.

New London got pretty trashed, though, especially down along the river.

This is Greens Harbor beach. Actually, this is Pequot Avenue along the beach. Under water.

And this is the dirt that Zoe's cousin thought was Ocean Beach. Poor poor man's beach.

Look at this poor guy's house, right around the corner from ours . . .

. . . it's sobering, seeing those big trees down . . .

. . . especially since it was my greatest fear.

Another tree fell on another house further down Montauk Avenue, but on Wednesday morning they were already working on getting it up and off . . .

. . . I don't even know where the *take* those big trees when they get them up and off and cut up.

Lots of New Londoners posted photos in the days following Sandy, and I stole a few to share:

Pequot Avenue, along the Thames River beaches, covered in sand. This photo looks so old-timey, doesn't it?

Looking up Guthrie Street at the now sadly-, horribly-, sinfully-defunct Lighthouse Inn.

Pequot Avenue again. Poor Pequot Avenue. It's gonna take a lotta love, and, frankly, it's gonna take a village, to get Pequot Avenue right again.

But there are moments of magic, amidst all the mayhem, too. Tuesday night Mistah and I had ourselves a little impromptu refugee dinner party, which was interesting since even though we didn't lose power, we hadn't bought any fresh produce, not knowing if we could keep it fresh. So I served a pasta dish with a little bit of frozen this and a little bit of canned that. And a whole lot of garlic.

Mumsie slept on our couch that night, and we were delighted to know that Mom slept at MB and MD's that night, too. Mumsie and Kelly got their respective power back yesterday, but Mom's still suffering without it......

But speaking of magic moments? Of worlds turned upside down? Of schedules thrown to the wind? When I heard the door open yesterday I looked up and look who I saw walk into the Tavern:

Magical magic moments indeed.