I don’t know what you East Coasters have done to incur the wrath of Mother Nature but she’s sure lashing out with a wallop, isn’t she?

First, she starts your week with a shake, rattle and roll earthquake and now she’s planning to unleash her fury with 100-mile-per-hour winds and huge storm surges along the coast.

Since I’m of the mind that it’s better to be safe than sorry, I’d be hightailing it out of there and heading for safer ground.

And since I’m of the mind that it’s better to be safe than sorry, I also think that whether you believe Hurricane Irene is a naturally occurring phenomenon or the result of climate change, treating our recent rash of extreme weather occurrences as if climate change is the culprit seems to be the conservative and logical approach.

I guess I don’t understand how paying more attention to our impact on the environment and the delicate balance of nature could be a bad thing.

Part of being prepared means accepting responsibility for your own actions.

So shouldn’t the entire human race accept the responsibility of protecting our habitat on this shared planet just as folks on the East Coast are accepting responsibility to board up their windows and grab sandbags?

Part of being prepared is thinking ahead and projecting what might go wrong.

So shouldn’t we consider the warnings from scientists detailing projected consequences if the polar ice cap melts or the Gulf Sream Conveyor Belt shuts down just as individuals grab emergency provisions and fill their gas tanks to heed evacuation orders and get to safety?

Part of being prepared involves confronting your fear that things might indeed turn out as bad, or worse, than predicted.

So shouldn’t you prepare for the worst and hope for the best?

Of course!

But whether you’re preparing for Hurricane Irene or the future natural calamities Mother Nature has in store, I believe that it’s only when you prepare for the worst that you can hope for the best.

My thoughts go out to everyone on the East Coast fleeing their homes or battening down the hatches.

For, as one commentator reminded everyone, property can be rebuilt. Lives can’t be unlost.

Of course, not everyone is facing impending disaster today. If you’re one of the lucky ones not dealing with Hurricane Irene, today’s VPOD is an especially stylish way for you to always be prepared for a quick turn in the weather anytime and anywhere.

This vintage 1970s Gucci travel raincoat features the brand’s iconic horse bit motif and easily folds away for convenient storage in your luggage, handbag or car.

It’s a lovely rainy weather find for a prepared Vintage Crusader!

Available from Douglas Rosin at 1stDibs.

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