Thank you all for being such devoted and concerned followers...you are all so wonderful !! I have been living with my daughter in Massapequa Park, NY. After 12 days without power, I just found out that my power is back and I will be going back home to East Rockaway. Living with candles was an adventure, the first night...but a nightmare after that!! We only got about 7 - 8 inches of water in the basement but enough to ruin the boiler, washing machine and dryer and hot water heater...but compared to what my neighbors are going through, I consider myself so incredibly blessed. My neighbors had 6ft. of water which destroyed the first floor of their house. My daughter, who lives in Oceanside didn't have power since the Hurricane as well. She was so cold, living without a generator..a nightmare!! Her friend is living with her right now. She lived in East Rockaway as well, and lost her entire house. She didn't evacuate in time and had to swim out of her house to safety. When she finally returned to see the damage, the staircase collapsed!! Houses were destroyed in my neighborhood with sewage that filled bathrooms and basements. I thank God we were spared. I will be posting soon...and pray everyday for those still suffering with the aftermath of Sandy !!!
Hilda!!! I had no idea you were in the midst of the hurricane. For some reason I thought you lived in the mid-west. I am so very sorry for all that you have been through! And I'm so glad to hear you are well.
ReplyDeleteThank you Kathryn!! I'm so happy to be home again. It's been an experience that I never want to have again. When the hurricane was getting closer, my husband took every koi from my pond and put them in my screen house in huge tubs until it was over! He felt like he caught a whale each time...each one is over a foot long but the salt water would have killed them instantly. I will be visiting you and the rest of my blogger friends very soon!!! Miss you all.
ReplyDeleteHilda, I cannot even begin to imagine what you have endured! Your husband deserves a medal for rescuing all the baby whales. :) Again, I am so very glad you are all well and returning to "normal". BIG HUGS to you and all your family!
Deletethank you, friend, for your concern..hugs to you!!
Deletejust a quick note - will come back later - SO GLAD YOU ARE OKAY!!!!!!!
ReplyDeletethank you so much MYRA!
DeleteSo glad you are OK Hilda. I also had no idea where East Rockaway was as in your "about me" section. We were pretty much spared here in Maine and I can't imagine being in your situation. You are in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I appreciate you stopping over CAROL!
DeleteI'm so glad that lives are safe!
ReplyDeleteThe aftermath is difficult: after the fear, people approach so great problems,
so hard loss.
In suffering love for each other is the light that helps. A big hug with thoughts of love for you and yours and all people affected by Sandy.
Rita
thank you so much RITA! We appreciate life so much after this!!
DeleteSo pleased you and your family are safe Hilda. 'Sandy' has disappeared from our News Bulletins now so its easy for us to forget the devastation still facing thousands of people.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a speedy return to normality - and pleased your husband rescued the Koi :-)
thank you SUE for your kind words. So many people that I know have lost their homes..it breaks my heart!! and yes, the koi are my husbands babies, so he is thrilled to have saved them.
DeleteHola Hilda, la pena y la tristeza de una situación así debe ser muy grande, la alegría que me das es por ver que estáis bien tú y tu familia. Os envío todo mi cariño desde Barcelona
ReplyDeletey mucho ánimo en estos momentos difíciles.
Un fuerte abrazo
Gracias, ROSA por tus palabras. Lo agradezco! Es una situacion bien grande pero hoy es otro dia, y estamas todos bien!
DeleteI am so glad that you and your family are safe, Hilda. To deal with the aftermath must be hard. In my thoughts, Hilda, hug!
ReplyDeletethank you so much JUDY! I will be visiting everyone soon..miss everyone's work!!
DeleteOh my god Hilda, I am so happy you and your family is well , I can imagine how hard and scary it must have been, wish you all the best, glad you at least got the power back. BIG hugs and thoughts. xoxo
ReplyDeletethank you JANE. I appreciate your kind words. It was incredibly scary!. Coming home yesterday was wonderful but seeing my neighborhood with all of their precious belongings in the streets was heartbreaking!
Deletegood morning lovely Hilda!!!!
ReplyDeleteI am very sorry for what your happent to you..That was a great misfortune, and regret that people died, and who lost their homes .After a sadness comes a happiness.And this is that you are alive!! All others will you bouild slowly from the beginning.I thinking about you and send you my love and kisses
be strong!!!!!!!
Christa
Sorry for my bad English
thank you so much CHRISTA. I appreciate your kind words. Yes, things can only get better..I'm glad you stopped by!
DeleteOh Hilda...I am so sorry for all you and your family and neighbors are going through. I am thankful you have either other to help get you through.
ReplyDeletethank you so much SHERRY for your kind words! Just being home is wonderful!! Glad you're well!
ReplyDeleteHilda - I'm so sorry to hear about your home. I didn't know you were from the tri-state area too. The stories I hear make me cry to think of what people went through and are still going through. My daughter is still without power in Hoboken, but she has been staying with me which is a gift for me. It's family that helps you through the tough times.
ReplyDeletethank you MARGIE for stopping by!! I feel horrible as well for these people who have been affected. My prayers are with your daughter and hope she gets her power back soon!!
ReplyDeleteGracias a Dios que estas bien Hilda,
ReplyDeleteme alegro muchisimo y te doy todo mi apoyo y animo para salir pronto de esta situacion, un abrazo desde España.
Un tiempo muy emocional, JOSE..Lo agradezco tu palabras!!
DeleteMa chère Hilda,
ReplyDeleteQuelle cruelle constatation que cette catastrophe. Je suis heureuse toutefois que vous soyez en bonne santé et que votre moral ne soit pas trop bas...
Nous ne sommes pas grand chose face à de tels cataclysmes.
Je pense fort à vous, je vous embrasse très amicalement.
thank you so much MARTINE, Now that my power is on again..things will be back to norm soon. So many people have lost their homes! As fast as the surge of water came..that's how fast it left leaving so much destruction behind.
DeleteQuerida Hilda, me alegra mucho que tanto tu como tu familia esteis bien, debe de ser una situación muy amarga ver la desolación que ha dejado Sandy. Un fuerte abrazo y todo mi cariño.
ReplyDeleteGracias TINA por tu palabras! Lo agradezco!!
DeleteBeste Hilde wat een ellende allemaal wat zo'n orkaan allemaal kan veroorzaken.
ReplyDeletedat kunnen wij haast niet voorstellen.
ik vind jullie moedig.
gelukkig zijn jullie er gezond uit gekomen en nu knokken voor de opbouw.
ik wens jullie er veel sterkte mee ik bid voor jullie.
Groetjes Marja
thank you so much MARJA for your very kind words...I never realized what damage a Hurricane can bring..a very scary time which I'm glad is over.
DeleteIk vind het heel erg voor al deze mensen die het overkomen zijn wens jullie veel sterkte toe met het opknappen van jullie huis en alles wat jullie nog meer tegen zullen komen ik stuur jullie energie toe hugs en liefde Danielle
ReplyDeleteI, as well feel so sorry for the people who have lost their homes. I know so many people and my heart goes out to them! thank you for stopping by.
DeleteDear Hilda:) Oh my! I was shocked when I read that the very you and your family had happened. In one way or another, it gets than a face. I think it's terrible what happened to everyone. I hope never to make it yourself.I wish you all strength and am very glad you guys are healthy!
ReplyDeletethank you so much RENATE for stopping by..its amazing how the community gets together in a crisis...a very scary time and SO glad its over!!
DeleteMy prayers have been with you and all affected by Sandy & the Nor'Easter, Hilda. Stay strong and safe.
ReplyDeletethank you PAT! Sandy was terrible but the NorEaster was unbelievable! More trees came down with the weight of the snow!
DeleteHilda, our news in the UK gave a lot of coverage to this. The awful result of Sandy and all the difficulties in the aftermath. My sister lives up at Virginia Beach and she tells me it has been truly dreadful for so many of you guys. Glad you have been able to get back home now though - I will keep praying and do keep us posted.
ReplyDeleteI didn't see any of the coverage since I didn't have power...when the T.V. came on I was shocked to see all the damage! The street down my block on North Blvd. collapsed...I thank God that I still have my house. thank you for stopping by, JERRY!
DeleteI was worried by your silence Hilda, glad you are safe with family, take care..
ReplyDeleteYou're so sweet, PADMAJA. We're all fine now that we're home. The worst was not having a computer to tell everyone that we were okay.
DeleteHi Hilda - I am so sorry that I missed your posts while I was away. And I am so sorry to hear that Sandy affected you - but relieved you are okay :0)
ReplyDeleteFriends of ours arrived in New York the day before Sandy hit and they where evacuated to mid-town on arrival! They were evacuated again soon after and their dream trip became a nightmare! But as they say - their loss was nothing compared with what the residents suffered. We followed it on the news, even though we never watch any telly when we are on holiday otherwise. I wondered about my fellow bloggers out there xx
I'm so sorry about your friends experience ..sounds like the nightmare trip and not their dream trip. Once in Manhattan, you couldn't leave.. since they closed bridges and tunnels!. Sandy was unbelievable and glad the worst is behind us. A lot of people will be needing homes until their houses are re-built. I feel so blessed!
DeleteDear Hilda,
ReplyDeleteyou have my thoughts and prayers. I'm really sorry about what I've read and what a shocking experience it must be. But, my heart sweetens knowing that you and your family are safe. Too many people suffered great loses.
Stay strong and positive and I'm sure things will soon be as they were before.
A big hug and warm smiles.
thank you so much KONSTANTINA!! It is so wonderful to have so many friends here in blogland. Now, for those in my neighborhood, I hope and pray that they can rebuild quickly.
DeleteDear Hilda, I was shocked by the violence of the hurricane and by the sight of disasters that has left behind. I'm glad you and your family are well. I hope that all those affected will soon return to their normal lives. A big hug!
ReplyDeletethank you so much TITO! I hope they rebuild soon. They all have such a positive attitude which is amazing. Again, thank you for visiting...I will be visiting you soon.
DeleteDear hilda, me alegra saber que tu y los tuyos estais bien. Espero que todo vuelva pronto a la normalidad. Mucha fuerza y un calido abrazo. Besos.
ReplyDeleteEstaba muy preocupada pero ahora espero que pronto todo vuelve a la normalidad..cada dia es mejor. Gracias EVA por visitando!
ReplyDeleteHello Hilda,
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about all the loss. The real fury of Sandy hit home after reading your post. Wishing you the best.
thank you so much RAJEEV for stopping by.
DeleteHola Hilda.
ReplyDeleteVer las imágenes por la televisión es impactante, pero vivirlo en primera persona es una tragedia. Me alegra saber que tú y tu familia estáis bien, te envío toda la fuerza del mundo para sobrellevar la situación. Espero que todos los afectados recuperéis pronto vuestra vida normal.
Muchos ánimos y un abrazo cariñoso. Besos.
Muchisimas gracias CONCHI por tu palabras. Una tragedia muy triste. un abrazo!
DeleteIt's so hard to remember who lives where Hilda with these blogs so I'm sorry I didn't realise before hand what you were going through. My heart goes out to you and to the thousands of people this hurricane has affected. Take care and keep safe. Hugs xx
ReplyDeletethank you so much LAURA!!! I appreciate your kind words.
Delete
ReplyDeleteSo happy you are home Hilda and that your basement is repairable. Probably a good thing you didn't have electricity to view the news feeds showing the horrors unfolding in your neighborhood and surrounding areas at the time! From our experience with Hurricane Charley in Port Charlotte, we know what it's like to have neighbors lose their entire homes and the close bonds formed as the rebuilding takes place. God bless you - so glad you and your family are safe.
thank you so much ROSEMARY for stopping by. I didn't see too much coverage until after the 12 days but was shocked when I finally got TV !
DeleteHilda, I am glad you and your family are safe. I'm sorry you had to experience all of this. So difficult and frustrating.
ReplyDeleteTake care,
Nora
thank you SO much NORA!!
DeleteHola Hilda, muchos ánimos a ti y a tu familia en estos momentos difíciles, espero que todo mejore en la mayor brevedad posible, lo importante es que estáis a salvo.. un abrazo enorme.
ReplyDelete!!!!!SALUDOS, GRACIAS POR TUS COMENTARIOS EN MI BLOG ESPERO SE ENCUENTREN YA UN POQUITO MEJOR Y DAR GRACIA CADA DIA POR ESTAR A SALVO!!!!!!!!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteMuchisimas gracias MARI y NATI. Cada dia es mejor para mi y mi familia.. yo doy gracias a Dios que no era mas peor !
DeleteHilda,
ReplyDeleteMy goodness, I had no idea you were effected by the hurricane. I have so much compassion for all who experienced it as I have been through many including 4 in 2 months in 2004. Rest assured, your community will survive.
I am so grateful that you and your family are safe.
thank you so much CAROL! my community is going through hell right now...they still don't have power! My art workshop has been turned into a warming center for those who need it.. I want to find out today if I can volunteer in any way.
DeleteI am so glad you are all safe Hilda. This is such a huge tragedy and I am so sorry for your troubles. I wish I lived closer to help. Hugs to you.
ReplyDeletethank you so much BARBARA..you're so sweet.
DeleteWow, it must be awful for you, but as you say you were lucky to have not suffered too much damage to your home as your neighbors have. Hope things will get back to normal soon for you, be thinking of you...
ReplyDeletethank you so much DIANA!! Yes, I thank God that we were spared..I live closer to the water than many of these people who sustained incredible damage!
DeleteHilda, thanks so much for posting this update! I have wondered and am glad you are safe, though it still sounds like quite a trial. God Bless and take good care- we're thinking of you!
ReplyDeletethank you MARY for your kind words. I've been trying to catch up with everyone's work. I missed so much.
DeleteYou are thoughtful to fill us in on what you have been through. I had a good idea all was not well because I was familiar with where you live. As you said - you are very lucky, but shows how bad everything must be when you can be grateful for water in the basement destroying everything.
ReplyDeleteKeep the positive attitude Hilda and I send Blessings.
thank you SO much JULIE!!!
DeleteHilda, I had no idea you were going through all that! I'm so glad you and your family are safe and that most of your house was spared. So sorry for your neighbors and what they have endured with their homes. I will keep you all in my prayers.
ReplyDeletethank you SO much THERESA for you kind words!!.
DeleteHilda...I wasn't aware of your location. What a nightmare you have endured! So glad your power is back on. Put away the candles....Good ol' Thomas Alva Edison!
ReplyDeleteThank God you and yours made it safely through the ordeal.
Blessings,
Dean
thank you so much DEAN!! I'm so grateful for power...no more candles!!!
DeleteOh, dear Hilda, I'm so sorry you had to go through Sandy... don't even imagined... and I sincerely hope that all is back slowly, to normal. I pray for you and your family.
ReplyDeleteBig hugs.
thank you so much CAROLINA!! for me, things are getting normal..but my neighborhood is destroyed! hugs to you!!
DeleteIt is amazing what one storm can do! I am so glad you are OK and will be able to return home. I know your area (my former home) has so many canals and I know the flooding was bad. This storm made me very happy I never indulged in my dream of living by the ocean. All the best wishes for a speedy recovery for everyone.
ReplyDeleteIt's so true, JOAN! I always wanted to buy a house on the water but my husband never wanted to...well, I'm glad he won! However, I'm still 60 ft. from it..and its still too close. thanks for stopping by!
DeleteSo glad that you're safe! Sorry to hear about the damage and everything you've had to go through. You have an amazing attitude about it all - counting your blessings just in time for Thanksgiving. Sending warm thoughts your way Hilda (literally)! ♥
ReplyDeletethank you KAREN! You're so nice to say that!! My art workshop is closed right now ...its a warming center for the displaced so I will call tomorrow to see if I can help in any way!!
DeleteSo good to know you are okay Hilda...what a scary event to go through. Wishing you and your family and friends a speedy recovery from the storm!
ReplyDeletethank you so much LISA!!! you're so nice!
DeleteTerrible lo que te ha tocado vivir, mis sentimientos de solidaridad están contigo, mi estimada amiga. Pero a través de tu arte puede verse que eres una persona con mucha fortaleza. Se que sabrás superar toda esta situación.
ReplyDeleteTe envío mi aprecio y el cariño de siempre.
Muchisimas gracias, RUBEN!!
DeleteHope you and your family are recovering from all this! I know your area was hit very badly by the storm! Better days are ahead!
ReplyDeletethank you so much LORI!!!
DeleteNot easy for you, Hilda. I grew up in an area that flooded regularly. Glad you are back on line ...been worried!
ReplyDeletethank you JOHN and all the rest of my blogger friends..thank God, things are better here..but this morning there was some sort of oil spill a few blocks away...the fire dept. police were there! and a few houses had sewage in their house....not fun! so I still have worries!
ReplyDeleteHilda, I haven't been keeping up with my blogging because I've been getting ready for an upcoming show - so I had NO idea you were caught in all of this. I am SO very glad to hear that you are safe.
ReplyDeletethank you CLAIRE!!! I appreciate you stopping by!
ReplyDeleteOh my, Hilda! I'm thankful to know you are okay.
ReplyDeletethank you SO much DIANA!!! We're fine but SO much damage all around us....Still very bad!! Glad you stopped by.
ReplyDeleteOh Hilda, you have captured such quiet beauty and dignity with this portrait, I'm glad you told us she puts on her Philly's hat and yells at the TV! You are so blessed having her in your life! Amazing work as always!
ReplyDeletethank you so much ROSEMARY!! She's truly a beautiful person!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry that you were affected by Sandy but am glad your damage was minimal. It's hard to imagine all of the destruction caused by that storm. I'm glad you and your family are alright.
ReplyDeletethank you so much NANCY!!!
ReplyDeleteHilda! I'm so terribly sorry for your ordeal with Sandy . . . so tragic and heartbreaking with all that everyone in that part of the country has had to endure. I'm so glad that you weathered the storm and that you and your family are safe.
ReplyDeletethank you SO much LORRAINE!! I appreciate your words!!
DeleteHilda!
DeleteWe in Massachusetts and people all over this country and the world are thinking of all of you and praying for all the victims of Sandy. I am so sorry.
You hang in there. Keep us posted and keep on painting!
Take care.
Your new art buddy,
Michael
thank you so much MICHAEL for your concern! The situation is fine with me.. Now, all you hear are the sounds of trucks cleaning up.. the sadness in my neighborhood is still very evident!! Time will heal!.
DeleteHi Hilda - I've been so concerned about you - am SO glad you're okay. When I would hear about what was going on in New York, I would think to myself 'I hope Hilda's okay'! So happy you're well and that you're back!
ReplyDeletethank you SO much CONNIE for being so concerned. I appreciate it!! There's so much cleanup going on here these days that isn't being publicized!...but things are getting better and a lot of people are starting to re-build..
ReplyDelete!!!!!!SALUDOS, Y QUE TODO SE SOLUCIONE ABECES LOS MALOS MOMENTOS NOS HACEN MAS FUERTES!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteGracias NATI. Cada dia es un poco mejor! Como tu dices..Malos momentos hacen uno mas fuertes! Un abrazo!!
DeleteOh Hilda! So sorry I am late commenting on this one. Thank God you are safe. I hope things start looking up and that you have a blessed Holiday season despite it all. Thinking of you.
ReplyDeletethank you ANGELA for stopping by! I thank God that my house was spared..I still don't understand how..when I am so close to the water and my neighbors homes were destroyed.! We have minor problems that my husband will be able to fix. Have a wonderful day!!
Delete