Thursday, October 10, 2024

Thursday, October 10 - Milton is still here

 It's 4:30 a.m.  I slept off and on and finally got up at 4 to see how things looked.  I still have power which is shocking, given the winds.  It's too dark and stormy to see what's happened but here's a brief video to give you a sense of what it's like out.


Our only concern now is that the ground is sodden with standing water everywhere.  And my boy Buddy has very short legs and does NOT like to walk in puddles.  According to the news we've had over a foot of rain from the storm in the last 24 hours.

Feeling enormously grateful.

9:50 a.m. The skies are starting to lighten.  I'm dressed and put out the bird feeder.  Buddy peed in the backyard.  Only after he saw me out there and I held the doggie door for him.  There is a lot of standing water, which he hates.  So sad I didn't have my camera to catch him tiptoeing on the blocks that edge the pineapple plants.  It made me laugh out loud.

I've talked to a few neighbors.  The people across the street had their living room window blow out at 5:30 a.m. which is weird because it is sheltered by a fence.  Based on some other damage nearby, we're assuming it was a tiny little tornado.  

My next door neighbors are going to nail back the panel in my fence that came loose.  A couple of other neighbors had flooding in their garages/lanais.

My biggest problem is my poor dog.  He's been a champ but the poor guy has no idea what's going on.  Between the storm and me moving stuff in and out of the house, he is a whiny mess.  Hopefully, he'll calm down as the day progresses.  He's currently snoring in his crate, which is his safe place.

3:45 p.m.  We're seeing bits of blue between the clouds now.  No rain or significant wind for a few hours.  Buddy and I are both starting to get back to normal.  For me, the days of anticipation is stressful, as is the storm itself.  I'm giving Bud and myself time to just chill and process.

We had a fine moment earlier.  I moved all the plants back outside and went into the guest room to get something and noticed a baby lizard, which must have come in on one of the plants.  It took several minutes but I was finally able to scoop the little guy up and release him outside where he came from.  

I saw this photo in the Orlando Sentinel.  This is where I like to walk Buddy a couple of times a week.  It's a lovely area and I'd love to live there but it floods after every single storm.



Wednesday, October 9, 2024

October 9 - Nighttime

 I had a technical problem with the last page and do not currently have the patience to go in and find the offending code.  

In other news, I believe that Buddy and I have had an enormous breakthrough in communication.  Today, on three different occasions, I pointed to something and he actually looked toward where I was pointing instead of just staring at my finger.  

9:30 p.m.  I'll be heading to bed soon to read.  And, hopefully, sleep.  Last night I woke up every hour to listen to the silence.  Tonight will be the rain and wind.  We're currently getting tropical storm level winds.  

Buddy is finally calming down a bit. He demolished a chew bone in one sitting.  It usually takes him a month. And, he missed his pre-dinner nap; post-dinner nap and pre-bed nap.  I hope he sleeps well tonight.

I'm hoping to sleep through the night but realistically, I'll be adding to this post throughout the night. Sweet dreams, everyone.

More comfort food for dinner - meatloaf, baked new potatoes and super veggie salad.  At least I ate something green.  And, there's a plan.  If I lose power, I'll still enjoy the leftovers cold.

10:10 p.m.  Big news!  Buddy peed!  And pooped!  This is what my life has come to.  I have a lovely fenced yard but when conditions aren't optimal Bud refuses to do his thing without my presence.  This was the third time tonight I got to stand in the wind and pouring rain but at least he did more than sniff at nonexistent lizards.  Now, I'm off to blow dry my hair before bed.  

October 9, 2024 - Hurricane Milton is Coming!

 While I have power, I'll be posting updates here.  I'm in Lake Mary, Florida, 17 miles northeast of Orlando.  The eye of the storm is expected to go through here around midnight tonight.

8:30 a.m.  It's been raining since I got up at 5:30 a.m.  Not hard, and very little wind.  The ground is already saturated from the rain we've had the last few days.

Seminole County does a good job.  They just had a "oops" though.  They sent out an emergency announcement.  Phone, whether you have them on silent or not, got an alarm, announcing Seminole Country had just announced evacuation orders.  

Then, nothing for five minutes.  Then we got a clarification.  They are now recommending evacuations for mobile homes, flood zones and medically unstable.  They've also announced shelters opening this morning.  Not many and unfortunately, the shelter they normally open at the high school near me isn't opening, at least for now.  That was my back-up in case my house is unlivable.  Presumably, that will open later, if need be.  I hope it won't be needed.

Now, I'm busy texting/calling with friends/neighbors.    My plan for the day is to NOT focus on the weather.  I need to bring in the last plants from the porch but other than that have done all the prep I can.  I plan to watch trash TV and bake brownies.  Meatloaf for dinner later!


8:50 a.m.  This is good news:  “We have now enabled basic texting (SMS) for those on T-Mobile phones in hurricane affected areas,” SpaceX says. “Text messages have already been sent and received. You can text loved ones, text 911 and continue to receive emergency alerts.”

9:30 a.m.  Seminole County is now predicting we'll be out of power for weeks.  That assessment, along with the evacuation notice they issued this morning are both a bit late.

11:15 a.m.  Bathtub is full (for flushing the toilet); all plants are in and the flamingo who normally floats in the pool is in the garage.  Lots of calls and messages from people who care, which is lovely but please know, I'm focusing on all things not hurricane related 55 minutes out of each hour.

The National Weather Service issued an update at 11.  This is part of it:

Maximum sustained winds are near 145 mph (230 km/h) with higher
gusts.  Milton is a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson
Hurricane Wind Scale.  Milton is expected to remain an extremely
dangerous major hurricane when it reaches the west-central coast of
Florida tonight, and remain at hurricane strength while it moves
across the Florida peninsula through Thursday.  Gradual weakening
is forecast while Milton moves eastward over the western Atlantic,
and it is likely to become an extratropical storm by early Friday.
I was struck by "extratropical".  It sounds like how SNL would describe Milton. 

Meanwhile, our weather is calm.  Very overcast but light wind and rain.  I've finished all prep work, including bringing all the plants, putting my homeowners' insurance and passport in my purse and taking photos of the inside and outside of the house, just in case I need to make a claim.  When Charlie went through, my house was fine, other than losing power for a month.  But, I lost roofs on two rentals.  The rentals were a great investment, back in the day, but glad I don't have to worry about them (and the tenants!) now.

Ok, my five minutes of thinking about the storm is over.  Off to figure out what to have for lunch.

12:20 p.m.  This is arguably the most boring blog post ever.  Still drizzly, dark and not much wind.  I both want it to be over and am dreading the outcome.  

For those new to hurricanes, here's a tip - calories do not count during a hurricane warning AND up to 30 days afterwards.  Eating a balanced diet is also not required.  Which explains my lunch.  What is more comforting than boxed Mac and Cheese?  I had some homemade candied jalapenos with it.  I figure it will be just as tasty cold tomorrow if the power goes out.  By the way - Donna, the Mac and Cheese wasn't expired, I checked!
Note I said "if" the power goes out.  I am optimistic.  Hopeful.  Perhaps naive but one of my life mottoes is "hope for the best and prepare for the worst."

2:40 p.m.  Rain continues, there's more of a breeze and we just got the first thunder.  Long, slow roll.  I assume we're just starting to get the very outer bands.

I looked at the national weather service for the current path and it appears that the storm has moved a tiny bit south meaning that while Orlando is still in the cone, Lake Mary, only 17 miles away is now just outside the cone.  I'm sure that will make all the difference in the world.

Lots of ads/emails announcing local businesses will be closed from now through Thursday, opening Friday.  I so hope that is true!
The leaning tree, which has been that way for about a decade is still there.  I'll bet $10 this storm will take it out.  But, I thought Helene would do it and it didn't budge.


And, Buddy, the wonder dog is showing he's a go-with-the-flow kinda guy.  He normally eschews any outdoor activities, including peeing, when it rains.  Today, he's just hanging out on the deck, sniffing.  He knows the pool filter comes on at 3:08 and can't wait.

4:15 p.m.  Bud went out to pee which might not sound like a big deal but he has gone for 14 hours before because he doesn't like going out in wind and rain.  The rain is getting heavier and the winds have started.  

We've gotten more than two inches of rain so I thought I'd go out to lower the pool a few inches before it gets worse.  I've done it lots of times before but reviewed it with my pool guy a couple weeks ago, just in case.  But, I didn't test it.  That was a mistake since I now can't get it to turn.  It's been several years since it was used and seems frozen shut.  For a minute I was a bit freaked out but realistically, with the ground so saturated, in the end, it wouldn't matter much.
The pool has overflowed before and if it's only a few inches, it's not a problem.  But if we get a foot of rain in a few hours?  My French drains are good but not magical when there's no place for the water to go.   I didn't get sand bags but got a couple of these.  https://www.amazon.com/stores/Watershed+Innovations/page/B40B3CC0-38FD-42E7-B711-4E5632E69A93?ref_=ast_bln&store_ref=bl_ast_dp_brandLogo_sto
I didn't want to put them down now because they'd block the French drains.  I figure if it looks like we're going to get a lot of water very quickly, I can put them in.  It could be a fun 3 a.m. activity.
Overall, it's just a slightly stormy afternoon.  Not even up to tropical storm yet.  The meatloaf is made and I just need to stick it in the oven later.
4:40 p.m.   The wind is picking up with some big gusts.  Rain is solid.  Closing the blinds now because I 
don't really want to watch the wind.
7:00 p.m.  A bit of a rant. Nextdoor.com - is right now the best time to send me an email giving me tips on 
how to prepare to evacuate or prepare my house?  And Gary Yeomans Ford - thanks for your concern but
offering to sell me a car with special hurricane rates?  
Meanwhile, the lights just flashed for the first time.  It is not particularly windy.  In 2004, during Charlie
Jeanne and whatever the last one was named, I lost power for at least a week for each storm.  Since then,
I haven't lost power for more than a couple of hours.  A neighbor just told me we're hooked up to the two nearby
schools so are less likely to lose power.  Don't know if that's true but hoping it is.
I just went out with Buddy to try to get him to pee again.  No luck.  We both got wet and he enjoyed sniffing
the pool deck.
8:45 p.m.  The winds have begun.  Still raining and now steady winds with some significant gusting.
Buddy is driving me nuts.  He has decided being outside, sniffing the wind and getting soaked
is what he wants to do.    He never peed, just expected me to stand there while he sniffed every rain drop.

8:55 p.m.  Now pouring rain and strong winds, howling around the house.  Just three more hours for the worst to arrive.
I was just watching live news.  They were filming live from the west coast where it looked bad but not as bad as it could
have been, so far.  The lights have flickered a couple of times and the internet went out for a minute 
but so far, all is well with the electronics.

Monday, February 26, 2024

February 26 - Monday - At Sea

 It was a rocky night last night, with gale-force winds.  I watched as we sailed away from my last port.  Then read and got to sleep around midnight.  Then woke up at 4 a.m. to rougher seas and tossed and turned, thinking about packing and the trip home.  I tend to overthink prior to traveling.  Sigh.  Later, after breakfast, I packed about 3/4 of my stuff.  It took about 20 minutes, lol.

I joined the metal detecting couple for lunch by the Lido pool.  The rest of the day was spent watching the ocean and relaxing.

Photos!

We're heading north and the winds continue while temperatures drop



My "diet be damned" trend continues.  Banana bread French Toast with cherries and bacon

Not a bad way to spend the morning, watching this view

Marina and Carl, the metal detectors found these gold nuggets near Yuma Arizona and had a ring made


Sunday, February 25, 2024

February 25 - Sunday - Naha, Japan

 It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, to steal a great phrase.  I had an excellent day in Naha.  I bought my first souvenirs of the entire trip and I'm glad I waited, given my limited budget and luggage space.  Then I walked through the main shopping area in town, which was great fun even though it was windy, drizzly and about 60 degrees.  Then, I enjoyed a two hour massage.  What could be better?

However, after the taxi dropped me at the port and I went through security, the worst thing happen.  Rony, my cabin steward scared the crap out of me.  On shore.  As I was getting ready to board.  If you've been following along you know that Rony started trying to scare me the first week of the cruise, two months ago.  Recently, I got him twice.  Bad enough that he screamed, both times.  It was fabulous.

But really, scaring me on shore?  I agreed he got double points for that.  The only good part was that I think it was the highlight of his day.  He went out with other crew last night and was tired.  He said he walked too far today and was exhausted.  But perked right up after scaring the snot out of me.  Hmmm.  I think I'll have to don my red dress and lurk in his supply closet again soon.  

More details later, but for now...

Photos!

The poor Japanese security guards.  Stood there all night, guarding the ship.  Freezing.  On the bright side, they carried light sabers

Diet be damned - Swedish pancakes, aka, crepes with a creamy filling.  And bacon.  On the bright side, I didn't have lunch



View of the ship from the taxi as I headed into town

Home parking spots are very small

I gave the address for a glass gallery.  The driver took me here.  We eventually found the shop I was looking for

In the doorway of the shop

It was small but had wonderful stuff.  And, unlike many of the tourist shops, didn't try to pass off glass made in Vietnam as local Ryukyu glass

It's probably a good thing I didn't have room in my luggage for too much

$245 for this pendant.  In my dream home will be pendants like this, hanging over a giant island covered in white granite


Aren't these dishes beautiful?

The cat made himself to home on the cash register.  The shop owner explained that it is not his cat.  It is a street cat


The shop owner was very nice and spoke passable English and was eager to learn


The shop name is Miyabi.  It is a bit away from the main shopping area but worth the walk


You don't hand over change.  You place it in the tray

I love Japanese fashion

A shiso in front of a steak house/restaurant

Times parking lots, and drink machines are everywhere

This guy was playing with fire.  A street performer on Naka Kokusai Daki is the main street for shopping.  It closes for most traffic on Sundays

It was chilly, windy and a bit rainy

This bus was cruising down the pedestrian street

The Mishiki market


This strawberry snack place was doing a booming business

Here's what the glazed strawberries looked like

I thought it was cotton candy.  Nope.  Face soap

Stuffed dogs were cute


I didn't even look at the price.  Beautiful but a bit much for lounging around the house

There were lots of places selling snacks.  This is where Google Lens came in handy

Asian countries love tile.  It gets slippery when wet.  They have a textured path on the sidewalk.  I appreciated it




A giant heart in front of a fancy looking hotel.  I looked on line and it was highly rated and about $250 a night for a single room.  It is one of the more expensive hotels in the area and has a pool

Hotel Collective

I went in this place.  The tiles are for room scents, used with oils


I think these are to be used like cologne



This security guard, with earrings, took his job very seriously.  He directed cars and pedestrians on this side street


This store sold seaweed.  These are sea grapes.  I used to get them in Samoa.  Tasty and pop in your mouth like boba

Sea grapes.  They were pricey 




The reception area at the spa.  Today, it was just me and the guy who gave me a massage

Every taxi driver I had was male and older than me


Sunday evening traffic

I really wanted one of these Shisa tiles but they were too heavy

I bought some glassware.  The owner wrapped it carefully and because it was raining, gave it a rain coat


In addition to some glasses, I bought this glass necklace

Coffee from the parking lot machine

We left the dock just before 11 p.m.  Notice how blue the water was


The tug boat picking up the pilot

I had French Onion soup as a starter and this was cod

With carrot cake for dessert

Entertainment on the main stage the other night was a balloon artist.  He made this