Neighborliness....

In the thriving metropolis of Farewell Cove we are presently looking after the neighbour houses on both sides of us. Yesterday, as the rains got going well, I discovered a leak at one house. Many towels later, we set up a dish pan for overnight and a fabulous funnel Peter-creation of foil vapour barrier and miracle red tape!

First thing this morning, as I opened the curtains in our own living room, I discovered puddles on the windowsills, between the windows and the plastic we had installed to cut down drafts for the winter - both old windows on the east side! Then to the kitchen to open the curtain ... only to discover that the tray in which I toss keys and my watch (fortunately safe in water to 45') was FULL! There was a sinking moment when I glanced to the left to see the stack of 40 Christmas cards and letters ready for posting - oh NO! Sigh of relief. The leak was one-sided! Cards safe! whew!

We hastily checked everything else on the east side of our house, and donned rain coats and boots to head over to the neighbours. The funnel had done its job: the dishpan was FULL and overflowing onto the braided rug and running along to the kitchen door. Sigh. First we bailed, and then we dumped and then we mopped.... and then we checked everything else on the east side of the house! Another leak upstairs - mopped and sopped...

Dishpan and towels reinstalled downstairs - check.

Cat fed and litter box cleaned - check.

Hey! the dishpan is filling up again .... sigh.

Note to self: better come back by noon at the latest....

Off to the other neighbour! Fortunately everything in good order there! Whew! What a day this is going to be! There is something perversely enjoyable about dressing up to brave the elements and moving into 'survival' mode of battling nature.

Thankful that the ground is not yet frozen and can still absorb lots of water.

Thankful that we live on 'higher ground' and not near any raging brook or the sea, now whipped by wind and high tides.

Thankful for dry wood to keep the stove going and nothing crucial on the agenda for today, except being good neighbours!