Thanks for all the emails and suggestions on preparing for hurricanes last week!

And for any of you hit by the storms in the Midwest, I hope you get power back soon and are surviving. Our prayers are with you!

And my hurricane prep list?

Turns out I forgot a bunch of stuff! Most importantly, three days of food and water is not enough.

. . . I should have known that!

Here are the additions mentioned by you awesome readers, followed by my original list.

I love how all of us have come up with a great list together, since . . . umm . . . I missed just a few things 🙂

• More food and water – a couple of weeks, plus some longer term stuff (Thanks Barbara H, Pamela, Jeanette, Karl, & Robin)
• Food and water for pets (Thanks Pamela, Karl, & Enid)
• Gas or charcoal grill to cook food and fuel (Thanks Pamela, Robin, & Adam)
• Cast iron pot and skillet to cook over a fire (Thanks Robin)
• Way to purify water (Thanks Jeannette & Barbara G)
• Insect repellent (Thanks Karl)
• Work boots and/or rubber muck boots (Thanks Karl)
• Plastic sled to haul supplies over mud (Thanks Karl)
• Skiff or flat-bottomed boat if streets are flooded (Thanks Robin)
• Shovel and stout staff (Thanks Robin)
• Generator (Thanks Robin)
• Cloth Diapers (Thanks Robin)
• Candle and waterproof matches (Thanks Lexy)
• Fill gas tanks in your cars (Thanks Enid)
• Nail planks over windows (Thanks Enid)
• Back-up power system: UPS with extra batteries and fold up solar panels (Thanks Adam)
• Plastic Totes to keep clothing, bedding and supplies dry (Thanks Pamela)
• A bottle of Jack Daniels and a joint – lol (thanks Matt)
• Bug out bag, for when the disaster overwhelms your location (Thanks Barbara G)

Sorry if I missed any of your suggestions – there were so many good ones!

Here is my original list:

• 3-day supply of shelf stable food and water
• Baby supplies – diapers and formula
• First Aid Kit and medicines – prescription and OTC
• Light – flashlight, LED lantern and extra batteries or crank style
• Knife, gun and ammunition. For self-defense or survival.
• Emergency cash
• Copies of ID, insurance cards, medical records, etc.
• crank radio, walkie talkies and/or other communication devices
• bedding and clothing to be comfortable if they have to stay there for days
• card games or other easy entertainment

Hopefully our two lists combined is helpful for anyone heading into storm season!

Oh, and thanks to Christopher for the crazy, first-hand story of being caught out in a hurricane as a child. His bike was found a mile away afterward, but he survived unharmed!

Stay safe out there!

______________________ 

Misty’s Writing Update:

I’ve decided writing with a co-writer is the way to go. How did I do it any other way?

Granted you need to find someone who meshes perfectly with your writing abilities, commitment level and easy-going nature.

Imagine this:

In high school biology, the teachers assigns you to partner with your best friend. You discuss the best questions to ask before you raise your hand. You check each other’s homework and test questions, polishing them until they are as good as the two of you can make them. When you turn something in, it’s only after both of you are happy with it.

Yep.

That’s how Steph and I write. We find each mistakes, polish prose, and generally take both of our writing to another level entirely.

I thought I would mention how fun and productive this is, in case the idea might spark something for one of you.

Do you have tasks or skills you wish were easier or you’d like to improve? Consider finding a partner or a group to work with.

I was just feeling grateful for the power of friends working together and thought I’d suggest the idea for any of you looking for a way to make life go a little smoother.

Especially during this time of physical distancing, I hope you can all find a good partner or two.

Thank you for all your support! You emails help me feel connected. I really appreciate them.

Happy reading this week,

— Misty 🙂