Local Places, Local Faces

So how has your week been going?

If you live in one of several southern states your week has probably been spent with eyes glued to the TV watching spaghetti models. Or maybe standing in despair at Publix looking at the empty shelves that formerly held water or soup or other necessary goods.  Or checking out gasbuddy to find a gas station that actually had gas. Or waiting in line for sandbags. Or maybe on the road in bumper to bumper traffic.

I did the watching of the spaghetti models but was fortunate to have plenty of peanut butter, water I can get from the tap, full gas tanks because I treat half a tank of gas as empty, the house is high enough that if I need sand bags we are in a whole heap of trouble, and after one trip on US-19 on Wednesday I declared that I’m not leaving Old Homosassa again.

Only potential problem is that Amerigas–who declares that customer service is #1 on their phone message–refused to deliver any propane gas.  I called on Tuesday because it was a holiday on Monday. And the response from customer service–after I called several times and didn’t get an answer and listened to their message that customer service is #1–Sorry.  Next week maybe.  That was when Hurricane Irma was shown as wiping out the entire state of Florida and Governor Scott had declared a state emergency. But Amerigas, where customer service is #1, didn’t feel it was necessary to deliver gas even though I had signed a contract back in 2005 that they would deliver every month. Since then they only come if I call. And then they are always pissy about it.  The last time I called they said no, two weeks, and then they pulled up to the house across the street and filled their propane tank and went on their merry way.  I’m stuck with them because I have an underground tank and rent it from them–which they convinced me during installation that would be the best thing to do. It would be very expensive to have that tank dug up and replaced. But. If we run out during this Irma adventure, I do believe that might happen.

Ok.  Off of my soap box.

Things are looking bad for everyone in Florida and all the way up to the Carolinas.  We have voluntary evacuation now.  If they order mandatory evacuation, where does one go?  We have three shelters in Citrus County and only one is dog-friendly.  Terry’s 92-year-old mother will be with us along with our geriatric dog.  Neither would be very happy in the shelter sleeping on a cot. The traffic is bumper to bumper on all the major roadways from Miami to Georgia.  There is no guarantee of gas on that trip north.  All of the hotels are booked. And as we drive north, Irma is right behind us.

Governor Scott has been out there telling people to get the hell out of Miami and the Keys.  He claims to have called all the oil companies and gas is on the way.  I have never seen the governor on TV so much. Or being so concerned.  Wondering if this response is because the people of Houston were not encouraged to evacuate and he saw the negative response after Harvey wiped out so many people.  Because, after all, he is planning to run for the US Senate Seat against Senator Bill Nelson, wouldn’t want to look bad. Oh geeeeeze, I’m on my soap box again!

But in reality.  Did the good governor cause a little extra drama?

Most of the predictions are that Irma is going up the east coast of Florida.  Very bad for that side.  But rather than a storm surge–which is what happened in Hurricane Hermine last Labor Day–the water should be pulled away on the west side. But Irma could still turn.

I’m being optimistic on this one.  Old Homosassa will be spared.

But…..hurricane season goes until November.  We had a REALLY mild winter which makes the Gulf water warmer which in turn makes these monster storms.   If Irma doesn’t get us….will the next one?

We’ve lived in the south for almost four decades.  Been through many hurricanes.  This is just our reality. Just like those in the west live through mud slides and fires and those in the middle of the country deal with tornadoes.

Okay.  Now I have to give you a funny.

Jessica texted us a picture of a spider.  She lives in DC.  Guess she was wanting guidance and Terry said

“When I was in NAM…I got bit by a spider in Pleiku, yuk, and a spider bit my eye. Couldn’t see out of that eye for two days. Can you imagine shooting a M -16 with only one eye, probably not, but kill the sucker!!”

Is that funny?  Or have I watched too many spaghetti models?

I hope you have a great weekend.  We’ll be hunkering down!

Kathy