Royal Escape from the Topic - for off topic chit chat Showing 2,101-2,150 of 2,839

[Teresa]

Same here in Ireland Susan. It's like a Winters day here today.

[Critterbee❇]

Karlyne wrote: "Hahaha! (that there's a crazy laugh) Just got a Red Flag Warning for serious fire danger, winds whooping to gale force and humidity dropping below 15% (which is common, btw) in front of a low press..."

Karlyne, it is still raining, I wish that I could send a bunch your way!

Does a flat tire make sparks?

[Kirsten]

❇Critterbee wrote: "Karlyne wrote: "Hahaha! (that there's a crazy laugh) Just got a Red Flag Warning for serious fire danger, winds whooping to gale force and humidity dropping below 15% (which is common, btw) in fron..."

Only when the wheel rim hits the road.

[Critterbee❇]

Kirsten wrote: "Only when the wheel rim hits the road. "

I never saw that! Hoping for no loose sparks West of the Mississippi!

[Karlyne]

Our fire was caused when a wheel bearing locked up and sent the truck sliding off the highway with a blown tire. And then the brake fluid line broke and it added fuel to the sparks. You can actually see the burned outline of the truck where it started and see how it went crazy from there.

One of the big Northern California fires, which did horrible amounts of damage and fatalities, was started from a flat tire on a travel trailer. I feel so sorry for the people who were pulling it.

Another way it often happens is when people drive off-road with hot exhausts, not realizing that those innocuous looking weeds are tinder-dry. Even occasionally, lawn mowers have started fires in pastures and road sides!

[Lesley]

Karlyne wrote: "Our fire was caused when a wheel bearing locked up and sent the truck sliding off the highway with a blown tire. And then the brake fluid line broke and it added fuel to the sparks. You can actuall..."

I remember one year in the late 1990s when staying at my friend's place during one lot of Sydney fires they issued a ban on mowing lawns. Mind you by then there wasn't much lawn left to mow -all dried up. I was there for three weeks and the fires started as I arrived. By the time I left Sydney was fully ringed by fire, and by that stage many of them were believed to be deliberately lit.

[Barb in Maryland]

I was living in Melbourne during the 1983 Ash Wednesday bushfires. Another case of 'natural' causes augmented by arson. I think the first fires were started by arcing power lines. Not a fun time, even for those of us miles away from the actual fires.
So Karlyne, I figure that any one person or group who can figure out an economical way to shuffle excess water from flood areas to drought areas deserves all the prizes and a whole lotta money.

[Susan in NC]

Karlyne wrote: "Hahaha! (that there's a crazy laugh) Just got a Red Flag Warning for serious fire danger, winds whooping to gale force and humidity dropping below 15% (which is common, btw) in front of a low press..."

Thanks, Karlyne-like Susan in Perthshire, wish I could send some rain your way!

[Karlyne]

You'd think with all the technology that's available, somebody would figure this one out! Too much water over here? No problem, we just send it through the space/time continuum and send it over there. Sounds simple to me...

[Susan in NC]

Karlyne wrote: "You'd think with all the technology that's available, somebody would figure this one out! Too much water over here? No problem, we just send it through the space/time continuum and send it over the..."

Me, too, what the heck! They waste too much time coming up with an “app” for trivial stuff...

[QNPoohBear]

Sending water through the space time continuum! We had enough in one day to fill our river in my city. The geese and ducks were very happy. The humans wanting to head out and vote after work were not so thrilled.

[Karlyne]

QNPoohBear wrote: "Sending water through the space time continuum! We had enough in one day to fill our river in my city. The geese and ducks were very happy. The humans wanting to head out and vote after work were n..."

We got enough drops that I turned on my windshield wipers for the first time in Idunnohowlong! And we have truly blue skies, too.

Florence is sounding very scary! I saw a map of nuclear power plants in the vicinity, and I was shocked and frightened for you all. Praying that it just peters out and everyone stays safe.

[Andrea AKA Catsos Person]

I live in the DMV. At present, it’s looking as if we’ll be spared a visit from “Florence” if she continues to go south, but that could change.

By August, we had received a years worth of rain. We had heavy rain again today. The ground is utterly soaked from the constant heavy rainfall, making it easy for trees to be uprooted in strong winds.

A local friend had to travel to NC to pick up her 1st year college student daughter as the uni is closed. Another friend in Hampton Rhodes VA has left her home with her little children due to mandatory evacuation.

Every year there is a hurricane somewhere either in the Caribbean, the US east coast, or in the Gulf. Sigh.

[Susan in NC]

Yes, every year we hold our breath to see who’s going to draw “the short straw” - a major storm! Karlyne, I’m glad you got some rain, but Andrea, you all got too much!

Looks like Florence is going a bit south by southwest, and Greensboro (my town) is about 1/2 hour from VA border, so hopefully we’ll be spared the worst. But I worry about the folks in eastern N.C. I hope all will be well, but with all the rain we’ve had, and how badly past hurricanes flooded eastern N.C. in the recent past, I’m not terribly optimistic.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "I live in the DMV. At present, it’s looking as if we’ll be spared a visit from “Florence” if she continues to go south, but that could change.

By August, we had received a years worth of rain. We ..."

Sorry Andrea, what is the DMV?

Stay safe everyone!

[Susan in NC]

Carol ꧁꧂ wrote: "Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "I live in the DMV. At present, it’s looking as if we’ll be spared a visit from “Florence” if she continues to go south, but that could c..."

Thanks, Carol!

[Andrea AKA Catsos Person]

DMV = DC (Washington) - Maryland - Virginia

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "DMV = DC (Washington) - Maryland - Virginia"

Aha! Thanks!

[Critterbee❇]

DMV I think is the DelMarVa Penisula, a peninsula on the eastern shore of the Chesapeake Bay. It is pretty flat and low out there, and Andrea, I hope you are in a safe area. The name comes from the three states that share land on the peninsula - Delaware, Maryland and Virginia. Chincoteague is there.

My step-grandparents and three of my Aunts and Uncles live on the coast of NC, and they have already evacuated. My father is, oddly enough, going on a cruise that, at some point, goes through the Panama canal, so safely away from the storm.

We have stocked water, and it looks like it is going inland, so the forecast from the National Hurricane Center says that the winds will arrive here Thursday afternoon. Susan in NC, I think that we are in the same band for wind, but your area will no doubt be getting more rain.

Stay safe and be careful!

[Susan in NC]

Thanks, Critterbee, you too! Glad your relatives evacuated- my two sisters evacuated from Charleston, SC to our brother’s house in Florida. Usually in hurricane season we worry about him - but this time, he’s hosting evacuees!

[Susan in Perthshire]

Watching the news over here and hoping you all stay safe and well. Take care folks!

[Susan in NC]

Thanks Susan! I looked at BBC yesterday ( I like to check their perspective on our happenings- they take off the kid gloves with politics- might not be pretty, but necessary at times!), and there was Florence news! Oh, dear, sorry to worry you, doing our best to prepare. I think in our northwest corner of N.C. (near Va) we will be ok until the storm wheels around and heads up here, possibly Sunday or Monday- at least that’s what local weather predicted this morning- does your weather agree, Critter? Be safe up there!

We have a little beach condo at Atlantic Beach, across the Bogue Banks from Morehead City, where The Weather Channel planted one of its news teams - never a good sign! Oh, well, we’re on the third floor - can’t do anything but cross fingers at this point!

[Critterbee❇]

Morehead City - I remember visiting my great-great Aunt there when I was young!

Weather according to the National Hurricane Center (can not deal with the hype of the news stations when dealing with inclement weather) now saying winds arriving tonight, so it is slowing down. It has turned more southerly, and should pass south of you. It seems to have weakened, and will hit Wilmington with about 105 mph winds.

[Karlyne]

I agree! I hate the hype that disasters generate. Can we just have the facts, please, ma'am?!

[Abigail]

I call it disaster porn--people approach it with a kind of lust for suffering or at least for vicarious drama. The news outlets provide it because it draws viewers but it's bad for human nature. That said, there will be suffering with this storm and those who aren't directly affected can't help if they aren't informed.

[Karlyne]

"Disaster porn": apt description! There are certain personalities who revel in it, but I agree that it's not a good thing. And, unfortunately, it's become a habit in journalism (although not a new thing), and because "news" is so pervasive now, it's hard to avoid the hard sell drama.

There's something really nasty about the money made from tragedy.

[QNPoohBear]

How's everyone in the path of Florence? It's been rainy off and on today too. The river is full again after an August without enough rain. We're supposed to get Florence rain next week. Stay safe everyone!

[Susan in NC]

❇Critterbee wrote: "Morehead City - I remember visiting my great-great Aunt there when I was young!

Weather according to the National Hurricane Center (can not deal with the hype of the news stations when dealing wit..."

So far, so good, I hope everyone is ok; I agree, the ghoulish salivating over natural disasters is unpleasant (love disaster porn, you are a wordsmith, Abigail!), but I also think they feel they need to make a big to-do to penetrate people’s day-to-day busy lives and get them to focus and be aware! And, of course, to donate and help out afterwards if needed, or keep raising heck with the powers that be if not enough is being done to relieve the situation in the aftermath.

My husband always says, any time a natural disaster is brewing, people pray Jim Cantore doesn’t turn up in their town - he’s the one the Weather Channel always sends to the worst hit areas. You know you’re in trouble if he comes into town! I don’t think he’s in Morehead City, so hopefully being on the third floor and boarded up will save our little place...I just hope people prepared and evacuated, I already see flooding!

[Susan in NC]

Karlyne wrote: ""Disaster porn": apt description! There are certain personalities who revel in it, but I agree that it's not a good thing. And, unfortunately, it's become a habit in journalism (although not a new ..."

Amen, sister, like rubbernecking at a highway crash...I’ve never understood that, gawking at another person’s tragedy.

[Teresa]

I've seen reports of it today on Sky News. I hope everyone is safe.

[Susan in Perthshire]

Me too Teresa. Looks pretty bad - hope everyone is safe.

[Karlyne]

Susan in NC wrote: "Karlyne wrote: ""Disaster porn": apt description! There are certain personalities who revel in it, but I agree that it's not a good thing. And, unfortunately, it's become a habit in journalism (alt..."

Sometimes I think it's the fear that it's someone you know in the crash - I'm always terrified to see what kind of cars are involved. Is there anything worse than an ambulance passing you when you know your kids are on the road?!

How's it going in the East today?

[Critterbee❇]

Looking to hear from Susan in NC, although we have just had rain rain rain and low winds today here in Virginia, nothing bad. Looks like the storm has stalled on the coast, really punishing that area.

Barb in Maryland and Andrea, it looks on the map like your area is getting it worse than here.

[Barb in Maryland]

Here, southwest of Baltimore, it is merely cool, cloudy, with scattered showers--none related to Florence (That rain will come next week, according to the prognosticators).

I have brothers in law in Beaufort, NC who are coping with a lot of rain, but no heavy flooding like that which New Bern, NC has experienced.

Hey Susan (NC)--please report in! From the radar it looks like the bands of wind and rain are on your doorstep.

[Susan in Perthshire]

Yes, Susan in NC - please report in so we know you are ok.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Susan in Perthshire wrote: "Yes, Susan in NC - please report in so we know you are ok."

+1 isn't as lazy as it looks! Just hoping you are OK.

[Teresa]

Just watching it again on the news. Susan NC you ok?

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Teresa wrote: "Just watching it again on the news. Susan NC you ok?"

Quite possible that she has just lost power. We lost power during our storm which was a gentle breeze compared to Florence!

[Teresa]

Here in Ireland we loose power if the wind rises above average. I suppose we don't think this can happen in a country like America. We see it as being ready for anything. As an example, one evening last Summer, we noticed a whole line of electrical wire was completely taken over by crows. They all took off together in one blast, they're was a bang and the power was gone over our whole area. A PUFF of wind here does damage.

[Karlyne]

Teresa wrote: "Here in Ireland we loose power if the wind rises above average. I suppose we don't think this can happen in a country like America. We see it as being ready for anything. As an example, one evening..."

I always think of the west coast of Ireland as getting winter Atlantic gales, though? Is that true?

We get tremendous winds, but what gets me is the way it can be blustering from the south all day and then stop on a dime and whoop out of the north all night.

[Susan in NC]

Hey ladies - I’m so sorry, just saw all these comments, I don’t know how I missed them! So far, so good, rain and wind are picking up, but we still have power. I was making and eating dinner, trying to use up things in the freezer, just in case!

Then checking on the weather news on TV. Thanks so much for your concern - so far eastern N.C. is suffering the brunt of the damage!

[Susan in NC]

Barb in Maryland wrote: "Here, southwest of Baltimore, it is merely cool, cloudy, with scattered showers--none related to Florence (That rain will come next week, according to the prognosticators).

I have brothers in law ..."

Hey, Barb - good to know your family in Beaufort are ok- we’ve gotten email updates from the mayor of Atlantic Beach that things look a mess, but other then some roof tiles and siding blown off, they’re doing ok so far.

[ShanDizzy]

Susan in NC wrote: "Hey ladies - I’m so sorry, just saw all these comments, I don’t know how I missed them! So far, so good, rain and wind are picking up, but we still have power. I was making and eating dinner, tryin..."

Glad yr safe Susan

[Susan in NC]

S Dizzy wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Hey ladies - I’m so sorry, just saw all these comments, I don’t know how I missed them! So far, so good, rain and wind are picking up, but we still have power. I was making and ..."

Thanks, Shannon!

[Abigail]

Glad to hear everyone is okay!

[Teresa]

Great to hear from you Susan. You had us all worried. Keep safe.

[Teresa]

Karlyne wrote: "Teresa wrote: "Here in Ireland we loose power if the wind rises above average. I suppose we don't think this can happen in a country like America. We see it as being ready for anything. As an examp..."

That's true Karlyne. I live on the South East coast. I'm less than ten minutes drive from the sea so we get the wind pretty bad. It's very open where I am so the wind has nothing to stop it. Same with the sea fog. It's constant here at times. We'd make a great setting for an old smugglers story :-)

[Critterbee❇]

Lady Teresa Fitzwilloughby-Weatherby de Eresby looked out from the window of her bedchamber at the thick mass of grey fog inching forward up from the tumultuous sea...

[Teresa]

:-) :-) Good one Critterbee!!

[Critterbee❇]

Teresa wrote: ":-) :-) Good one Critterbee!!"

Haha, just had that image in my head!