Bio
I am a writer, a reader and a raconteur.
A Blog Is Born
Welcome. It has been quite a gestation period, lots of labor, many pains, and Mother’s Day was the final push for the birth of www.inmyhoodsf.com.
I am writing a series of articles, highlighting the merchants and employees of my neighborhood. My column, "In My Hood SF."is a 52 week community based project. My stories, are their stories and together we engage in conversation and something special illuminates. "In My Hood SF" will be updated weekly.
I will interview a different merchant or employee from the Inner Sunset and bring their story to life. I want you to see their work, their value and their dignity.
For the next year, I am committed to this baby. We are going to walk and talk together and hopefully breathe. I hope you will take this journey with me.
All Best,
Grace Cunnane
OMAR
This week I am not in my neighborhood.
I made a decision to visit my sister and nephew in St. Croix, and three days after I bought my ticket, the tropical storm Omar had upgraded to a Category 3 hurricane and St. Croix took a hit, with torrential rains, howling winds and uncertainity. Phone lines were down, and initially I couldn't contact them and was scared. Many trees and utility poles were destroyed and they were without power and water. My sister described the sound of the storm.
"It sounded like a hundred people were outside whistling."
Long before dawn the winds escalated to 128 mph.I thought I should cancel my trip, as I lived in St. Croix from 1995-1998 and remembered both Hurricane Luis and Marilyn and living without power for a couple of months. And the mosquitoes.
Fortunately, my friend Ann reminded me the importance of family and I heard her.
This was exactly the time I was supposed to visit. We could be together and weather the aftermath of Omar.
Although we were without power, another power presented itself; kindness and humanity.
The generator was not functioning, and it looked like we might be in the dark heat of the night.
Butch from Green Cay Marina, brought over his generator, and those two nights we had two fans, a lamp, scrabble and laughter.
Late into the night when the generator needed re-fueling, my sister nor I could turn the choke and pull the chord to activate the generator, but my fourteen year old nephew, Bill could pull it just the right way. On Monday the sight of the cobalt blue WAPA(Water and Power Authority) truck on our road was cause for celebration and in a few hours the beep, the smile, the wave."Yes, we have power!"
Later that afternoon Butch wanted us to have access to the cistern as it had a cement cover. He sawed a square area, and we were now able to get water to flush the toilet and hose our bodies.
Yesterday, Norm the Plumber, repaired the water pump and we could now shower.
He also told a story of his grandparents in Maine who hauled water everyday of their lives all year long. Often,we take so much for granted.I am grateful for the people that show up in my life and walk with integrity and that circle continues to expand.
NEXT WEEK: IT'S A MYSTERY AT THIS POINT.
Grace Cunnane
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Reader Comments (3)
Gee, I couldn't resist reading about "St. Croix," even though I should stop and get to bed; it's late. But I went ahead and found instead of something about some French business inspired by some saint "in the hood," I found you! in your tropical excursion into the wilderness of natural disaster and its consequences -- but safe and warm because you love family.
Enjoy going with you and knowing more about you.
Oh, I didn't mean that the way it sounds! For all I know you do own a French business "in the hood" and you are a saint...but, I have no way of knowing. And, for that reason, I cannot say that you aren't a saint; and, I cannot say that you are because, if you are, you wouldn't want me to say it. You are doing a lot to try to build community, though; I can say that much.
YES WE CAN!
P.S.: Actually, YES WE CAN means to me that we all can become saints with God's help and each others'.
Good night! It's been great and look forward to when get to read about everyone again!