28.8.11

hurricane irene


To anyone impacted by Irene in any way, my heart goes out to you. I sincerely hope every one of you are safe and sound.

Irene has absolutely devastated Southern Vermont, and though luckily I'm up North at school right now, I'm hearing news of towns and roads I know so well being ravaged by floods. As a matter of fact, the house my mother moved out of just this June has been washed away by floods, along with many other houses on that street. I am heartsick, terrified to hear about the fates of all the neighborhood dogs and cats, and we still had lots of unreplaceable heirloom furniture, artwork, and sentimental childhood things packed away in storage there that are gone forever. These houses were all historic early 19th century beauties, too, and in our sleepy little town of 700 people, this is quite a blow. 

However, I feel so blessed we were no longer really living in the house, and to my knowledge, no people were seriously injured in the wreckage. When I feel sad about all the material things I've lost, I just recall that all my friends, folks, and critters are alive and well. And I'm not usually the type to go on about miracles and such, but to think we had just moved some more of our favorite things out of the old house last weekend... it's really something. I know many weren't that lucky, though, and I want you to know my thoughts are with you and yours. ♥

RIP, Water Street House. This 1920s dress was something I found in the attic there, along with baskets full of Victorian through 1930s letters, calling cards, books, and photographs. Those pieces are all safely tucked away at my dad's house, and will serve as a permanent reminder of the glorious little farmhouse that once was.





22 comments:

  1. I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your old house Dakota! I hope your family, friends and neighbours are all safe and sound. xx

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  2. I second exactly what Laurie wrote. xo

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  3. i'm so sorry to hear about that old house and others like it. Its so hard to loose things like that when it seems they'll be around forever. So glad to hear you and yours are safe though. Thinking of you all up there on the east coast!~ H

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  4. Looks like you're keeping on the sunny side though, kiddo, and that's the best attitude to take. sorry to hear about the loss of your furniture and keepsakes, but I'm glad you got some of your favorite things out of the old house before Irene hit. I hope your community bounces back quickly.

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  5. Thank you very much, dearies!!
    It's been a big shock to us all, and I feel sick when I think of my beloved painted Victorian bed swirling around in that muddy river *shudder*. There's a picture going 'round of my next-door neighbor's house floating down the river; it's so horrifying. Our little town has really been rattled, that's for sure. But as of now, it seems all is well with our friends and neighbors; only one death has been reported in the area thus far, which is miraculous when you see the incredible damage. And at the end of the day, having all the people and animals in my life safe & sound is more important than any material goods.

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  6. Dakota I'm sorry to hear about your old home but at least everyone in your family is safe and sound !!

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  7. Sorry to hear about your old home, but I am so glad you and your family are safe, material possessions come and go, it is good to stay positive as you are! And you look adorable your hair has grown so fast! x

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  8. Such sad news, I was just watching the footage on the news :( In these situations my heart always goes out to all of the animals...but I'm glad to hear you and your family are okay!

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  9. Hey girl, I'm so terribly sorry to hear that you've been personally affected by that bitch irene. We have earthquakes in my city now, and I feel the deepest empathy knowing how devastation from natural causes can mess life up for a while, and sweep precious artifacts away. But as you say, material goods loose don't matter, we just need our family, friends and fur babeez :]

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  10. I just have to join everyone in saying that I'm so sorry to hear about your little town and house with its lost treasures. But glad that you've been able to see the bright side and, indeed, that none of your loved ones were hurt.

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  11. Im so sorry~ Dakota!!! Irene came in where we lived at but didnt do a quite as much damage as your town had! :( My heart goes out to you!

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  12. I'm so sorry to hear about your old house. Glad you and your loved ones are safe. {hugs}

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  13. Thank you, everyone!! I've just seen some recent photos, and our house is just gone; no debris, no nothing, just swept away. It's a heartbreaking thing that's happened, for sure. Anyway, thanks so much for your kind words, they really do make me feel a little better!

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  14. Oh my gosh, it's just so horribly sad. Steeped in blessings all the while but just horribly sad. I'm so very sorry and at the same time, glad that you and yours are safe.

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  15. Oh, I'm so, so sorry for your losses, but so glad that you and yours are safe. When I was six, we lost nearly everything we owned in a flood. It's a bad deal. Hugs to you.

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  16. I'm very very sorry to hear about your home and all the other homes in your town. Thankfully everyone is okay, and your family recently moved. Best wishes, dearie. <3

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  17. Oh no, I am so sorry, Dakota! I know how heartbroken you must be. It broke my heart just to read this!! I am glad to hear that you and your family and your little critters are safe, though. You and your community are in my thoughts and prayers!

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  18. I've loved your blog for a few months but never leave comments and just now I read that Vermont was in the path of Irene, so I hurried over here hoping you were okay. I know I don't know you but I'm sure glad you're okay. Your blog and it's beautiful photos are inspiring and make my day brighter. You have such talent little lady.

    God bless and I'm glad you and your family (Banjo included in that) are okay. Things do come and go luv, I just had to move this last weekend and opened the uhaul only to discover that many of our family heirloom antique had been broken. It's still sad even though it's just furniture and such but thankfully our house was flooded. Take care sweetie. Have a great Fall semester at school!

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  19. *oops I meant "was not flooded".

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  20. Oh hon I'm so relieved to hear you and your family are safe. What a terrible blow about your mother's former home and the precious heirlooms that were lost. My heart truly sinks at the thought of such amazing things that you and your family would have collected over the years. I'm glad you managed to have a clear out recently though, but it must be so sad to see some of those wonderful old homes destroyed in your beautiful tiny town. I'm so sorry dear Dakota. xxooxoxo

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  21. My parents had loads of damage from it. My dad had a new van for his carpentry. . water filled to the top dashboard and he lost all his tools inside. They got 7 feet in their basement too. pretty bad. Funny thing, they were going to be going to south vermont during the weekend too but because they heard about the hurricane, they didn't go to take care of their home.

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  22. Oh no, I'm so sorry to hear about your loss but it's good to hear that your family and pets made it through okay. I didn't realize the damage was so extensive in Vermont, I'm so sad to hear that some of your heirlooms are lost especially since I've always admired the beautiful items you've posted here.

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