…and we’re back!

by Jimmy Johnson

After a brief break, I’m back behind the keyboard. I’ve already put in a few early-morning hours working on this site. Those are my best hours, you know, and I think that work will show up here soon. As I have mentioned before, I’m refurbishing the old place as I go: otherwise, it simply would not get done.

Speaking of things I’ve mentioned, I had to go and mention hurricanes. Two weeks ago today, I mentioned that Hurricane Helene, still in the Gulf of Mexico, was headed my direction. As it happened, the storm veered east without affecting me at all, but we know what happened to thousands of others. (You will remember, I touched on the inland damage hurricanes can do.)

Now, as I write, Hurricane Milton literally is within hours of making landfall in the midst of a very vulnerable and populous stretch of the Florida Gulf Coast. Milton is a strong storm of dreadful potential that is certain to create misery for thousands more. I wish I had never brought up hurricanes. No, I’m not superstitious, and I’m fairly certain I have no influence on nature, but having introduced the subject, I feel a feeble follow-through is warranted. We–the A&J cabal–have a lot of fellows and friends and family in the path of these storms. Our hearts are heavy.

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16 responses to “…and we’re back!”

  1. Steve From Royal Oak, MI Avatar
    Steve From Royal Oak, MI

    My daughter is in Tampa & has decided to ride it out. Her fiance has covid plus they have dogs. They weren’t sure how they would get out.
    Yesterday she got last minute items. Got a flat tire & her spare was flat too. She got home. Was able to fill up the spare.

    Then she had difficulty latching the garage door to the house and head to drill a New hole. She is trying to make the house as tight as possible but she wasn’t quite able to get it enough Sandbags. I am praying for everyone’s safety. ???

    Reply
    1. Blinky the Wonder Wombat Avatar
      Blinky the Wonder Wombat

      Steve, get her to run NOW! I fear that Tampa will look like ground zero by this time tomorrow.

      Reply
    2. Bob Avatar
      Bob

      If they have iPhones 14 or newer please have them install iOS 18. It provides satellite messaging if there is no cell service. Hope that everyone is safe

      https://www.wsj.com/tech/personal-tech/florida-cell-service-down-iphone-texting-2bc12a82

      Reply
      1. Steve From Royal Oak, Mi (kinda) Avatar
        Steve From Royal Oak, Mi (kinda)

        Yes she told that set up the satellite feature on her phone. I just spoke with her and I gave her some suggestions like watching the local tv coverage on her computer and listening to the local radio stations.

        I also told her to put in an out of office message for her AZ colleagues saying: I will be out of the office for the foreseeable future. If this is urgent, please contact Milton as he will be covering for me!

        Reply
    3. Emma Avatar
      Emma

      I have relatives in Tampa as well. They battened down their 2-blocks-from-the-bay home the best they could and then left with their 3 cats to go to a hotel inland to “ride it out” there. My prayers are with the entire area as Milton approaches.

      Reply
  2. Hurd in Lower Alabama Avatar
    Hurd in Lower Alabama

    It has been a historic season for sure. Looks like we are going to retire two names for the list. To me the storms seem different somehow. When I first started watching what was to become Milton there was a a fair bit of confidence that it would just be a rainmaker but like Helene it just kept building. The other thing that I have been sort of down about is all of the misinformation and downright made up junk about these storms. The trolls are getting worse. Other than that all is good in Lower Alabama. We leave tomorrow for the first retirement road trip. Bay Minette to the Bay of Fundy in Canada and back. zig zaggin along the way to catch as many National Parks and monuments as we can.

    Reply
    1. Jimmy Johnson Avatar
      Jimmy Johnson

      Have fun, Hurd! You earned it. And drive carefully.

      Reply
  3. Rick in Shermantown, Ohio Avatar
    Rick in Shermantown, Ohio

    Jimmy: If my memory is correct, you wisely chose to evacuate when Katrina was on the way. I also recall that you shared a photograph of your house. It survived, but it was surrounded by water. I also recall that Pass Christianne made the national news.

    Reply
  4. Bill in Paducah Avatar
    Bill in Paducah

    Page looks good. Modern twist on the old “add a post to the top” original site!

    Reply
    1. Jimmy Johnson Avatar
      Jimmy Johnson

      Thanks, Bill! There’ll be more improvements, I hope. You are right. It is a mostly cosmetic twist on the old blog format. “Customization” is the name of the game these days. I would like to make some more substantive changes in the site as a whole, but for now I must be content with learning how to walk. I’ve been working on the site live today, a high-wire act that’s never recommended. I trust I’ve kept you amused!

      Reply
  5. Simon Avatar
    Simon

    Your text is terrible on my phone, just a vertical line.

    Reply
    1. Rick in Shermantown, Ohio Avatar
      Rick in Shermantown, Ohio

      Turn the phone sideways. That worked for me.

      Reply
      1. cxp Avatar
        cxp

        I tried that, too, but it wouldn’t stay on the wall cradle….
        [Sorry for that one!]

        Reply
        1. Rick in Shermantown, Ohio Avatar
          Rick in Shermantown, Ohio

          Good one!

          Reply
  6. Feisty Avatar
    Feisty

    I do hope those in the line where Milton passes, will evacuate. Just saw a video of a weatherman that illustrated how 9 ft of water would look in a neighborhood. It isn’t something you’ll survive in your home.
    I’m not religious, but even so, my thoughts and prayers go out to you all in Florida!

    Reply
  7. Fan in Japan Avatar
    Fan in Japan

    I am watching the news from this side of the world and I am both worried and horrified by what I see. My thoughts are with you, and I hope everyone is keeping safe and out of harm’s way.

    Reply

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