On preparing for storms

with a tank filled with glee

There’s a storm on the way, dear reader. A ‘nor easter’ is heading up the coast and about to dump about a foot of glee on out little corner of the world here in Nova Scotia.

Today is a day to prepare.

I’m moving wood and bringing wood in so we have plenty for the stove. If the power goes out, we’ll stay plenty warm.

We have some prepared food in the fridge that can be easily heated on a camp stove. If the power is out for any length of time we can survive on beef stew, chilli and Cheerios.

But I’m spending most of the day protecting my basement.

This is the most remarkable precaution that I’m taking.

Just eight short years ago our basement flooded. The ground became saturated and hydrostatic pressure forced water between the bottom of the foundation and the footings of our house.

It was a demoralizing mess.

Since then, we’ve added waterproofing and a sump pump.

But our sump pump only works if the power is on.

Given this, I don’t entirely trust it.

I still feel a bit at the mercy of nature.

But you’ll be happy to know, dear reader, that I’m doing what I can to keep my basement dry. I’m shovelling the snow in my back yard and moving it further away from the house.

Vast snow piles have been moving to the back edge of our property, one shovel full of at a time.

This work isn’t only remarkable. It has the added advantage of being foolish as well!

You see, once the snow melts and the soil is saturated with water, everything that I’m doing here won’t make a shred of difference in the long run. The hydrostatic pressure from ALL OF THE SNOW that has super saturated the ground will push water into my sump system no matter what.

In the past the system has held.

In the past we’ve had worse water.

Eventually the sump goes quiet.

So why shovel?

That’s a great question, dear reader.

Why shovel?

I love to delude myself that the simple actions we take in our house can make a difference in the world. Somehow, whether though marketing or crappy logic we’ve decided that solar panels, front yard gardens and driving a hybrid can change the world for the better.

Following that logic, shovelling snow from around my house might just keep my basement dry. That’s right dear reader, I’m hoping that through my sheer will and daily efforts, I can hold back nature and deny the laws of physics.

In reality?

All of these acts don’t necessarily work as intended.

But whether shovelling snow or improving the soil on our little patch of imperfection?

Those are acts of soothing.

Doing shit that seems positive allows me to sleep at night.

At times like this - when a storm is coming that will have consequences long after it has left, a guy like me could burn through a lot of energy being anxious, angry or defiant.

That would be reasonable. We’re living in a topsy turvy world that seems to be spinning out of control.

But instead?

Don’t be reasonable. Be foolish.

Self soothe through physical activity and sleep well.

Get ready to face the aftermath with a full tank of glee.

Because once the storm passes, we’ll all be better off if we face the clean up having had a good nights sleep.