Today at about 1:30 pm we lost power here on Vieques.
Lee and I were blessed with neighbors who had lived on the island most of their lives, Ruth and Jesus Torres. From day one we have shared recipes, wisdom and seen each other through hardships such as the ferry not running when one of us had to get to PR for medical appointments to they being out of water for their horses and us providing that water for them. Jesus, who's nickname is Chu has decided that between the two of us he will improve his English and he will help me with my Spanish. His wife Ruth who also has a nickname, Lou, went to high school in Conn. so she tends to be the spokes person of the family.
Today at about 5 she stopped over asking if we were ok and wanted us to come stay with them at their home. Since all of us were in the same boat, re: lack of power I said no but asked her on advice on how long we could expect our food supply to last with lack of power. Her feelings were about 48 hours. After a big hug thanking them for being so kind within minutes they drove into our drive with a gift. Their generator.
They knew we work hard to give the outside world a weather station and we also work with the Coast Guard to help relay info so our computers and cell phones are important.
We asked why they would give such a generous gift at a time they needed it as much as us and they both just brushed it off saying they had made plenty of ice in advance and their food would be ok. But they have no lights now, depending on hurricane lamps. They have no TV while we do. They have given this special gift to us and I do not think there will be a day go by that Lee and I will think of ways to repay this kindness.
How two individuals can give up their means of escaping hardships is beyond our comprehension. Lee and I would have gladly done the same but it is rare to find such people.
We plan to buy the largest silent generator available and park it in between Lou and Chu's and another neighbors Norma who recently lost her husband to assure that we will all be safe in the future.
That said and done, our weather station is back up and as I said, till the day we are no longer on this earth we will be a constant support for these two people. How someone can just outright give their means of their only comfort to us.
Links to the Vieques Weather Station
http://www.karenandlee.info/anonymous/v ... dexnew.htm
http://www.karenandlee.info/anonymous/viequesweather