Wish us luck here on the East Coast with the storm!

[kkkkandp]

We've been looking at the satellite images posted on NOAA and also saw a helicopter flyover on Channel 12 News, but they were from too far away to tell much more than just that the house was still standing (which, obviously, is good news in itself). A neighbor sent us pictures yesterday from someone who was actually on the island and cruising our block. A little more good news - roof appears intact and no apparent broken windows, but there are no visible high-water marks on the outside of the house, so we have no idea yet how bad the inside is. Might have minnows in the fireplace. Our garbage can holder, which we put away from the street and next to the house for safety, is nowhere to be seen. Could be in the back yard, a neighbor's yard or in the middle of Little Egg Harbor. Our washing machine, which was outside, is obviously toast. Other than that, we have to wait to get inside, which won't be until Wednesday at the earliest and then under military/police accompaniment for an hour only. The island has 70% of the electricity restored, but still no water, gas, sewer, cable, Internet. It's depressing to think how much this is all going to cost to fix up, but suffice it to say that it's likely to put quite a crimp in an already thin Old Judge collecting budget. Still, I'm still here to collect.

Johnny - you have been a beacon through this whole thing. Great upbeat attitude.

And Barry - didn't realize you had such stong ties to the state across the Hudson. You are at least an honorary Jersey Boy!