things are so crazy here. red hook looks like a war zone as I walk the dog tonight.
we still don't have power at the studio and Eric continues to clean it, everyday suiting up with a respirator and hazmat gear, scrubbing everything salvageable down with bleach, degreaser and soap. we got about 3.5 feet of water and it was contaminated with fuel oil and ... sewage.
we are having to throw out a lot of things, but the damage is not a severe as some of our neighboring businesses and homes - those who had basements where the water reached to the ceiling. Hundreds of thousands of dollars of equipment - ruined. So we feel lucky.
so many people have kindly offered to help, but the process of cleaning feels better alone - better done in our own time at our own thoughtful pace. it feels strangely personal. As the girls and I have been busy with some event prep (and throwing 'pancake parties' as Eric says - I mean we had to eat) the man is left to his own quiet routine. One strictly confined to daylight hours. The cathartic act of pulling every last low-lying vase, urn, box of files, tools (oh! the power tools eric had to chuck...) out from the depths of the studio, considering it for a few moments, and then kicking it to the curb or scrubbing the shit out of it. No pun intended.
it's not nearly as bad as it sounds - we are eating well besides missing Fairway, comfortable and warm in our apt around the corner where the electric is on, and working at Nicolettes studio on flower things. yesterday as I worked on an arrangement there she brought over all her fancy things to show me. like a little kid showing me around her room. "...and this is a piece of akebia vine i cut from my garden 3 weeks ago! and look at how good it still looks! this is my mossy branch, my favorite tillandsia...can i watch you? can I make a centerpiece?"
in the strangest way it's been nice to be in crisis mode, as you know I have a penchant for drama. a few other drama's loom on the horizon tonight...more about them in time. also - we budget now! look at these girls go:
