Weathery stuff

[vilakins]

I just got back from a day out to find that some of you lovely people were worried about me because I haven't posted since the tornado that ripped through West Auckland. It hadn't occurred to me that anyone would be, but I do apologise for not posting earlier. I was busy yesterday and too tired to post in the evening, and then we were away today.

The tornado was one of the more destructive ones, killing three (workmen crushed by the wall they were sheltering by), injuring 27, and making 250 homeless; the SPCA has gone into the cordoned-off area to find pets left behind in the panic to get out and reunite them with owners. West Auckland is the usual place hit by tornadoes for some reason. All we experienced over here in east Auckland was sudden bouts of torrential tropical rain, one of which soaked me to the skin from the thighs down despite my huge umbrella in a just few minutes while walking one block from my car to work--that rain bounces--and the power being out for a few hours.

After all that, it's been a stunningly gorgeous summer weekend. Yesterday I put up the tree of light (not that it actually has any lights what with the shortest night approaching) with the usual glass planets, stars, and the Liberator, and cooked the stodgiest batch of latkes I've ever made. I blame Greg for saying I should add more matzo meal. Eating those things was probably what made me so tired I staggered off to bed early. :-P

Today since it was so nice again we decided to got to Waitomo Caves to see the glow-worms as Greg had never been there and I'd bought two half-price vouchers. This meant that I drove two hours there and two back so yeah, I'm tired once again. On the way down we passed a convertible with a Santa and very unseasonal snowman in the back seat; Greg took photos with his phone. Silently floating on the river through the glow-worm caves was as magical as when I went with my mother and made me think of dwarves and Gollum and adventures.

What else? Oh yes, we took Jasmin and Ashley to the vet for their annual check-up and inoculation. Jasmin has put on 400g though she's still slim and sleek, and Ashley is still only 3kg. They're both in excellent nick though so she's just a small cat; the vet remarked that their fur is beautiful and in really good condition. He was really taken with them both. :-)

Anyway, hugs to you for worrying about me; sorry I didn't post earlier.

Comments

[kalypso]

I'm sorry about the damage done elsewhere, but am glad you are safe. And that Jasmin and Ashley are in good shape. Rosie went to the vet last week for a blood test, and her thyroid count has dropped from 51.4 three months ago to 21.6, which suggests the increase to three pills a day is working. Her weight is slightly down, but he's not going to worry about that until the next check-up in March.

The glow-worm caves sound exciting. And you've got The Hobbit this week, haven't you? We're hoping to go on Boxing Day.

[feng_shui_house]

*hugs* Glad to hear you're ok!

[mab_browne]

While I'm not sure of your absolute AK location (I'm imagining your sigh of relief *g*), I was pretty sure that you weren't in the area affected, so that's something. I hope that the weather has decided to do something nice for the folks north of the Bombay hills. :-)

[snowgrouse.livejournal.com]

Glad you are okay! *hugs*

[astrogirl2.livejournal.com]

Glad you and the cats are safe and well!

[linda-joyce.livejournal.com]

It's good to hear you were only nearly drowned, rather than blown away. I'm slightly spatially dysfunctional and tend to think (subconsciously)of all places being like Abercarn and you can see the West End of Abercarn from my doorstep.%D

[ultrapsychobrat.livejournal.com]

So thankful you are all fine, and the cats are healthy.

[jhall1.livejournal.com]

I'm glad that you're OK, and it's always good to hear from you. I hadn't heard about the tornado; it sounds as though it was pretty nasty.

[vjezkova.livejournal.com]

Great, I am really glad you are all right!
Also I liked your post about the glowing worms and of course about your lovely cats.

[zoefruitcake.livejournal.com]

The cave sounds really interesting

[thisbluespirit]

I hadn't even known about the tornado (*blush*) but it's always good to hear people are okay! ;-)

Anyway, the caves sound v cool. And I love that you have planets and the Liberator as decorations. That's wonderful.

[luinielle.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you and the cats were safe. :o) Weather can be so unpredictable - it will be snowing just across the river a few blocks away while it's raining here.
eta: Also glad to hear the cats are healthy!