Post Hurricane Milton Wrapup

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.