Monthly Archive: October 2024

One of my summer commitments was to swim each day for 20 minutes. (Thank you for the idea, P.) Somehow this challenge stretched past September and into October. (I probably missed a total of ten days.)  Now when I say swim, I’m being very generous. What I do does not even remotely resemble the stuff they did in the pools (and rivers) of Paris this past summer. It’s more like a scene out of the movie Cocoon minus the bathing caps. I call it aquasizing with a side of creative writing.

I like to say that I haven’t been bored since I was seven years old. This pastime, however, could have easily gone that route if I hadn’t found a way to “write in the pool.” I’d think about ideas for posts, or if I already had an idea going, I would work on how to improve it. (The challenge there was remembering when I got out of the pool.)

This “summer” thing turned a lot more challenging when October rolled around because now the pool is no longer a balmy 86 degrees. This is especially ironic since I recently contemplated one of those Cold-Water Plunges that are all the health rage. If you’re not familiar, it’s a big barrel filled with 40-50 degree water in which you submerge yourself. Proponents say this “cold therapy” can help muscles recover, improve mood, boost metabolism, reduce inflammation, and more. For me, it would be just another effort to help my “maturing” skin. Alas, who knew my cold plunge tolerance was 78 degrees?

So now that the summer challenge is (thankfully) coming to an end, I must find a new activity to spark my creative juices. According to Bruce Springsteen, writing is magic – you simply take something out of the air and make it physical. If that’s so, I suppose any activity will suffice. I’m thinking lying on the lounge chair sounds good.

As we like to say in Florida, we dodged another one. The folks on the west coast probably aren’t saying that, but we were very, very lucky. Again.

Sure, we spent all day cleaning up debris and still do not have power, but I consider us lucky. We are all well and none of us had major damage.

Another thing to be grateful for is the weather. Often when the power is out up north it’s freezing, and down south it’s sweltering. But, today is a beautiful 72 degrees and I am able to sit out on the porch as I write. Of course, my power bar is shrinking, and eventually I will have to go across the street to charge if the electric isn’t restored soon. But, hey, I have a device to charge and a neighbor to ask. Right? This is the same neighbor who is storing our frozen food. Just the valuables. We showed our appreciation by telling them the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream was theirs to keep.

As we struggled with cleanup, a few neighbors came by offering help and one tried to lend us his generator (which, by the way, is all I hear right now). But, we’re old school. It’s candles and propane for us. We put whatever was defrosting quickest on the grill and had a smorgasbord with one of our elderly neighbors who lives alone. She brought along a salad to contribute to the “feast.”

I woke early to go to the local convenient store with Yetis in hand in search of coffee. This is where I usually get gas, but I have never actually been inside. I fumbled with the process and went to the counter to pay. After waiting a few minutes, a lady came from across the store (it’s way bigger in there than I thought) and asked, “Is that all you’re getting, honey?” When I said yes, she said, “You go ahead and have yourself a nice weekend.” I actually got a bit choked up for a moment at her unexpected kindness. Of course when the sun came up, I realized I looked like a real sad sack after rolling out of bed and dragging an inside out sweatshirt over my bed head.

Postscript: We were only without power for two days. On the second night as we sat in the living room lit by a flickering candle and a laptop screen, the power popped on and the house came to life. We were hopeful when we saw the workers in the neighborhood that day, but once the sun set, we figured, oh well, maybe tomorrow. We were so caught off guard that when the lights came on, we looked at each other and screamed like little kids.

We like to think we realize what a luxury electricity is, but I don’t think you can truly appreciate it until you go without once in a while.

I said I was going to start posting every other week, but I felt compelled to weigh in on the hurricane situation.

I have lived in Florida since 1980, so I have a bit of experience. I know that folks who have not experienced hurricanes often wonder why someone wouldn’t evacuate. Many Floridians, like me, have evacuated only to have the hurricane change directions. In my case, I evacuated to Orlando with my husband and golden retriever only to have the hurricane hit there. We found a hotel and prepared to hunker down when we got a knock on the door telling us to leave because dogs were not allowed. We rode out the hurricane in a parking lot. I vowed then that I would never evacuate again. With that said, we are about four miles from the river and at least seven from the ocean. We have gotten good at planning for the worst, hoping for the best, and hunkering down.

Also, we are in a good area that has never suffered a direct hit (on record). I’ve read that NASA actually chose our location because the Gulf Stream is about 30 miles offshore and hurricanes have time to dwindle, making our county less susceptible to extreme damage and direct hits. I choose to think that’s true, and I hope it continues to be even with the changes in weather we’ve been experiencing.

Hurricanes are scary. The sounds can be terrifying. We’ve been without power for two weeks with soaring heat. But, we have good neighbors and a great family. Often in our neighborhood one side of the block is without power and the other isn’t, so you’ll see extension cords run from house to house. We’ve shared cell phone chargers, food, water and ice with folks and have stored neighbors’ frozen goods in our freezer; we’ve been shown the same kindness.

The latest forecast predicts this hurricane may be a dangerous one. Coming on the heels of a monster like Helene, it has folks very nervous. I pray for the best for all in its path.

I appreciate the support I’ve received for my blog. I’m happy to say it’s exactly what I hoped it would be – a vehicle for my writing with the added benefit of connecting with folks.

Blogging was definitely out of my comfort zone, so I decided to take a page from my friend Sandy’s never-boring playbook. When she was interviewing for a somewhat ambitious Department of Defense position, she decided to assume the Oprah persona as she addressed the interview panel. Sandy was, of course, prepared for what they would ask so she shared the autobiography of her career and when she was done simply got up, shook each of their hands, and wished them well in filling the position as she breezed out. I can imagine the look on their faces as this force of nature swooped out like she was the busiest person in the world. Needless to say, Sandy got the job and is still crushing it more than five years later.

So, when I was a little intimidated starting this blog, I decided to channel Sandy. I simply acted as though my favorite NY newspaper (Newsday) asked me to do a weekly column, and I just ran with it.

I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “Fake it til you make it.” There really is something to it. Confidence is key.

Thanks again for the encouragement, the kind words and ongoing support.

JUST A NOTE: I’m going to cut back to posting every other week. (I’ve notified Newsday 😉)