Preparing for Bad Weather

It is Super Saturday, the busiest shopping day of the holiday season. It is also the day that has been forecasting a major blizzard for us here on the south coast of New England.

Like countless others, I took stock of the fact that my cupboards require additional goods in case the bad weather keeps us home for the next 3 days. These purchases are not usually necessary at this time and really don’t need to dent my current budget.

The island I live on has a nasty habit of shutting off the water supply if storm surges threaten to contaminate the fresh water with salt water. So drinking water is on my list. There will be the likelyhood that the power will go out so flashlight and radio batteries and candles are a must. Time to make a few pots of coffee that can be heated in the cup that plugs into the car lighter. Comes in handy for soup too.

My staples include peanut butter, jelly, bread, crackers, sandwich meat, soup, sliced cheese, coffee, soda, creamer, milk, instant pudding, fruit, moist towelettes, and birdseed. A pie and half a turkey are in the oven as I head up the street for everything else. I dread the crowds.

As I make my way up and down the aisles of the local Walmart, I can’t help but notice that potato chips, spaghetti and sauce, pizza, and macaroni and cheese are being wiped out! I hope the power doesn’t go out.

My fridge can’t hold all my things so I store the water and soda on my front porch out of the sun. The temperature is perfect under 35 degrees. In case the milk doesn’t make it, instant pudding will use it up. If the power goes out, the summer coolers will be put into use for food perishables outside so the critters won’t have a feast.

Need to fill the bathtub with water and have a bucket handy for emergency toilet flushes. I’m all set now, bring it on!