Sandy, the storm with patience

Hurricane Sandy is making its debut on the named Atlantic storm venue these past few days. It has already hit the Caribbean and killed some 50+ people. And now it is ever so slowly churning its way up the USA Atlantic coast and into the north-east of the USA. Since my name is Sandy and I survived Hurricane Andrew in 1992 in Homestead, Florida, I have been intrigued by the Atlantic storms and hurricanes. Thus this post.

Sandy has been on the World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) list of Atlantic hurricanes since 1982. But Sandy has patience (unlike myself) and since 1982 she has not even been a named storm. But 2012 is her year — and six others. There have been six named storms using names never used on the official hurricane name list: Kirk, Oscar, Patty, Rafael, Sandy, and Tony.

So how did I get my name on the list? Personally I would rather be on someone’s Xmas list. This just must be my year though. I made my first jury duty list (and sat on a jury), and now the hurricane list.

1953 was the first year of creating an organized list of female names for named storms in the Atlantic. My full first name, Sandra, was on the list in 1957, 1963, and 1971.

In 1971, the list contained 10 years of set female names for named storms. However, due to various womens’ groups protesting the sole use female names for storm identification, this was changed again in 1979. Yes, I too was part of that whole womens rights era. (And here we are over 30 years later and women are still receiving less pay than men!) 1979 was the year that both male and female names were used. And that is the current system used today.

There are six sets of names. The first storm of the year is named for the A name on the list. If the year is an even-numbered year (such as 2012), the male names are given to the odd-numbered letter name, such as A = 1 = Alberto, C = 3 = Chris, and so on. The female names are given to the even-numbered letter name, such as B = 2 = Beryl, D = 4 = Debby, and my favorite, 18 = S = Sandy. Note that the following letters are not used in the name list: Q, U, X, Y, and Z. The system switches for odd-numbered years. Example: 2011 had the following names: Arlene, Bret, Cindy, Don, and so on.

If a named storm causes significant damage and destruction, the name may be retired from the six sets of names. The WMO decides on the name’s retirement because its continued use could be deemed insensitive. If retirement occurs, the name can not be used for at least 10 years. A new name replaces that retired storm on the list, starting with the same letter and of the same gender.

I wasn’t until 2005 that an S-letter name (Stan) was retired. I’m thinking Sandy might make retirement this year. Although I hope not, predictions are just too nasty to not think that Sandy is indeed the Frankenstorm of 2012. BTW, meteorologists are up in arms about the use of Frankenstorm instead of Sandy. Too much room for confusion. I agree, but only because I don’t want to be called Frankenstorm.

October 28, 2012 11:00 pm EST
From the Weather Channel

For all in Sandy’s path, I will be thinking of you and sending good thoughts your way. Stay safe!!!

Sunni’s 10 M Poop Dash

How Toilet Training the Cats Provides Cardio Exercise

My youngest kitty, Sunni, has not fully grasped the use of the toilet for her #2 business. Very good at hitting the john for # 1. And MeiMei is a star pupil who does both as expected. But this little story is about Sunni.

While toilet training the cats, I have noticed that Sunni has often been reluctant to poop in the toilet. I can usually tell when she needs to go though as she does this little chirping sound and is quite restless. When this occurs, I keep an eye on her because I now know what the issue is.

Yesterday Sunni did not poop at all; not in the toilet nor elsewhere in the house (thank goodness). So I knew there would be some intestinal activity this morning. When I got up, Sunni immediately went in the cat bathroom (how frigging spoiled are they?) and dutifully peed. She received her bonita flakes treat and then it was MeiMei’s turn. Success.

Within a minute, Sunni was chirping like crazy. I would pick her up and put her on the pot (just like potty training a child). But no go — literally.  Sunni would jump down, run upstairs and start pawing at the carpet in the living room. I would follow her (running up the stairs too), and attempt to grab her. She’d run her little route through the living room, in one corner, under the stool, behind the papasan chair, to another corner, and then I would catch her. I carry her back downstairs to the toilet and place her on the pot.

Of course, she would not do anything except chirp, jump down, and start the whole  10 meter dash again — with me hot on her tail. After a couple of rounds of this, I could tell she was getting a little frantic so I made sure I was right there to catch her. At last, I placed her on the pot and voila!!

I ran up and down the stairs several times, around the living room several laps, and bent and stretched multiple times. The Sunni 10 M Poop Dash certainly got me up and moving for the day. What a way to kick-start the day!

Will probably do it again tomorrow morning, and the next, and the next….

Can’t wait until this race is over and done with.

Toilet Training the Cats #5

Sunni investigating the small opening

About 9 days ago I opened up the first hole in the CitiKitty tray to introduce the cats to the “toilet” world. That did not go well at all (see the intro here). After about 40 hours, the cats were not using the tray at all and someone (not providing a name to protect the innocent), peed and pooped on the bath rug in the upstairs bathroom.

I was a bit concerned about them not accepting this change and also I was not all that interested in cleaning up, so I decided to replace the cutout. I cleaned up everything and used duct tape to close up the opening. Within 1 minute, MeiMei was up on the toilet and producing a river! After a quick clean up, Sunni did the same thing. Whew, the opening created the problem, and maybe we could get over it.

It took several days before Sunni was convinced that using the toilet again would be OK. After both of them were doing all business in the toilet as desired, I would then consider having a small opening again.

Today was that day. I removed the taped cover for the first hole and taped it back down with just a small opening instead of the original larger opening. Someone has used it a couple of times already this evening. Not sure if Sunni (the cautious one) is involved yet.

Yard sale left-overs

The weekend yard sale was OK; between the two of us, we made a few $$. It was hot (94 F.) and hotter. I guess I’m not a true yard sale person, because I could not understand why people came early (can’t they read the signage that says 9 to 1 ?) and showed up way after 1:00.  But the best was that we both got rid of stuff we didn’t want. Teen girl clothes that did not sell will be taken to the Teen Closet, a local organization to provide clothing to foster children. In the past, I had 3 foster kids, so even today, I recognize this enormous need. The rest of the left-overs will go to another organization.

And to end the day, I must share this photo of my daughter (who did not want her picture taken, thus the cover up. I had forgotten the purchase of the t-shirt shortly after Hurricane Andrew. Apparently my daughter found it and wears it. And she was a survivor, so it’s OK.

Surviving Andrew