I was going to name my daughter Isabel. And Claudia. And Sophie. Or Sophia.
I was hoping also for enough girls to use the names Annabelle and Lucie.
For years, I knew what I'd name my little girls.
And then a funny thing happened.
I didn't have children. No little girls. And no little boys either. Even though I had all of my little girls' names picked out way in advance.
The funnier thing is that I actually always thought I'd enjoy having little boys more than little girls. I imagined myself raising good, caring, confident, happy little boys. Boys who didn't pay attention to girls who liked their boys bad.
For some reason, I saw myself raising boys even though I knew my little girls' names way ahead of time.
And here I am without either boys or girls. And for some odd reason, it feels right.
Perhaps in a year or two I'll write about the baby in my womb. Although I doubt it. Or maybe I'll write about the child I'm fetching from a cold lonely place to come live in my house where there's plenty of warmth and love and Oreos.
But who knows. Certainly not I. And certainly not at this time. And that's okay.
But my little Isabel did visit this week.
Not in the form of a beautiful child who I could spoil and teach to be strong, but in the form of a powerful and torrential equalizer.
I realize that Isabel wreaked havoc on the lives of most. And that Isabel ruined the lives of some. I realize the toll taken by Isabel's damaging wrath.
But for me, personally, Isabel was a mighty welcome wind.
After a season of change, I was lagging behind. Struggling to get back on track. Back in a routine. Back in the swing of things.
With a new office, a new house, and new living partners for me and Boo, life wasn't as seamless and easy as I prefer. I felt like September's change from summer to school was an easy transition for everyone; but I just couldn't get my new life to flow.
And then Isabel came along. And Isabel stopped everyone. Isabel stopped everyone and everything just long enough for me to catch my breath. Finally - for at least a few days - I wasn't the only one running around in a state of confusion. I was just one of the millions.
And today, it turns out I'm actually slightly ahead of the game. Our power's been restored. Earlier than most folks. Perhaps earlier by a few days.
And power's a good thing. Without power, I couldn't research or write. No computer without power.
I guess I could have written the regular way...pen and paper. But writing that way is beyond frustrating. It's way too slow. I think much faster than I can write manually. I haven't checked the official number in recent years, but my typing speed kicks butt. I type way fast. I mean, way fast.
During the powerless period, I didn't miss television or music. Although I did miss radio shows. But not too much. Quiet's always nice.
DVD would have been nice. But no big deal.
I really just wanted to turn on the computer.
And today the computer's back on.
Today I also went for a run.
No swim today because the swimming pool's closed.
But the sun was out and the temps were up and the path was clear.
And everyone else was busy cleaning up their own chaotic messes while I went out with my running partner and enjoyed a good pace.
On the way out, we ran steadily and talked. And laughed, of course.
At one point, we ran into an old friend. He on a bike. We on our legs.
On the way back, we alternated sprints. Longer sprint distances than we're used to. Longer sprints meant longer periods of heavy breathing.
It was a good run. A good affirming run.
And I think I'm finally caught up.
In 1953, the US National Weather Service began using female names for storms. In 1979, both women and men's names were used. One name for each letter of the alphabet, except for Q, U and Z. For Atlantic Ocean hurricanes, the names may be French, Spanish or English, since these are the major languages bordering the ocean where the storms occur.
The names are rotated every six years. But the only one of my girls' names that comes up in the rotation is Isabel. So no more hurricanes for my benefit for another six years or so.
That's okay, though.
Like I said, I think I'm caught up now.
The computer's back up. The running's good. I'm sure the pool will be open soon.
I've learned that the key isn't just to keep batteries in stock, but to keep "C" and "D" batteries in stock. And that there's an up side to having no food in the house.
The less you have in the house, the less there is to throw out when the fridge isn't powered.
I've also learned to go to the bank before the storm. After the storm, it's hell trying to find a bank machine that's working. And there's no way it will be your branch. So first you drive an hour to find a machine that's operational. Then you pay an additional two dollar penalty for the cash. Better just to get the money before the storm.
The next hurricane coming our way is Juan.
Now that I'm caught up, I can relax for Juan. Just relax and experience him.
And, since I have no Isabel, Claudia, Sophie, Sophia, Annabelle or Lucie, perhaps I can even have a little fun during Juan.