A Jersey State of Mind!

We all hunkered down, followed directions, made sure we had batteries, filled gas tanks and got other things we thought we may need. All over the east coast people were methodical or they scrambled. There was plenty of warning. You could see her on TV. Biggest storm of the century, maybe two. Then she took aim and New Jersey, especially the Jersey Shore and New York City took direct hits. Here in the Finger Lakes we were very lucky. Strong wind and rain and some minor inconvenience with lost power for a few days. Personally, I'm pretty thankful. Then, there's what's happened in New Jersey and NYC.

I grew up in New Jersey. Born in north Jersey, early years in Spring Lake at the shore and later back to north Jersey. The Jersey Shore was an important part of life for millions. Based on video and photos, it is a very different place after a brutal hit by Sandy. It doesn't exist as I and many others knew it and it may never be the same.

Maybe its just me, but isn't it amazing how many people are either from Jersey, have family or friends in Jersey or just know somebody from Jersey. It seems endless. The numbers are staggering. Then there's the humor and jokes. If by chance you don't know anyone in or from New Jersey, you've heard the jokes about Secaucus and it's smells. Lot's of reference to dumps and garbage, the Sopranos, gangsters, Frank Sinatra and Hoboken. What's great is that folks from Jersey jump right in and become part of those conversations and can tell the jokes about themselves better then the rest of us.

I still have big connections to Jersey. My oldest son, his wife and my granddaughter live there. They had a scare during the storm when a tree fell and brought wires, sparks and flames onto their house. My brother also lives in Jersey, supporting his wife who has a number of health issues. They've all been without power for going on six days. My son sent me a video of a line that was over a mile long of people trying to get gas. We've all seen more of these lines as time has gone on. The reason - there's plenty of gas but the number of stations with electricity to operate their pumps is limited. The gas can't be pumped from large storage tanks into the fuel trucks. Power and technology are the big enemy here. If something doesn't change soon, it will get very crazy in the streets of Jersey and NYC.

Hoboken, which is below sea level, looked like New Orleans for a few days. Sea Side Heights, Point Pleasant,  Belmar and Asbury Park, all places I knew in my youth, are virtually rearranged by the ocean. Boardwalks and businesses gone. Beaches are moved. And Staten Island, a Jersey neighbor, is another true disaster area.

It was good to see Gov. Chris Christie and President Obama together, putting differences aside and doing what they should be doing - solving problems and supporting people and communities. A tough guy from Jersey and a tough guy from Chicago. Quite the picture, but one that people need at this point.

My bet's on Jersey. She'll come back better then ever but she and her people will need a lot of help.