On the Road Again - Exploring Florida

Can't help myself. Traveling is in my DNA.

Last week found me on the road again. This time Hubby and I made our way to Florida. Again. (I know. I know. I just went there a few months ago...but come on. This was for family - my boys - my grandkids. They need me!)

 

But the way we were looking at it, hopefully we'll both have jobs real soon. And with that comes the looong waiting period before we'll be able to vaca again. So we decided we better get some rambling done before we get tied back down. (Also didn't want to lose any points we've built up from previous trips.)

Our trip got off to a bizarre start...

Nemo....Oh Nemo...A Rose By Any Other Name....

Nemo: Are you all right?
Dory: I don't know where I am...I don't know what's going on. I think I lost somebody but I...I can't remember
Nemo: It's okay. I'm looking for somebody, too. Hey, we can look together!
Dory: I'm Dory.
Nemo: I'm Nemo.
Dory: Nemo? That's a nice name...

 



A name....what's in a name? Ask anyone....and they'll probably tell you... alot! A name can forever conjure up an image, good or bad. A name can knowingly or unwittingly brand something or someone for a lifetime. For better or worse.

Take Nemo. Just a week ago I'm sure the name brought to mind a nice sweet image of a pretty little orange fish. With stripes. Young. Innocent. One who was lost and searching for home. Who eventually, in typical Disney feel-good infused fashion, was reunited with his family in tear jerker style. And all was well in the world that lives under the sea. (Or at least in the Great Barrier Reef.)

But my how a quick turn of the weather can change all that. Buh-bye sweet innocent little fishy Nemo, and hellooooo ominous scary winter storm Nemo. Really? Whose bright idea was it to name a dangerous winter phenomenon after a character that until recently evoked warm and fuzzy emotions in the minds and hearts of most Americans? Really? Shouldn't they give deadly blizzards monikers like "Satan" or "Hannibal"?

After the damage and havoc wreaked last weekend by Nemo, no one is ever going to utter the name again without remembering the damage, the power outages, the icy cold temperature, the deluge of snow, the total shutdown of a whole region of the U.S. No, it won't be forgotten any time soon.

What's next on the list? Cyclone Simba? Blizzard Bambi? Tornado Thumper? Hurricane Happy? Yikes!

So....we survived. No damage, no power outages at my home. Thank goodness. Was kinda cool seeing the world around us come to a standstill...even if just for a short time. It was eerily quiet this past weekend. And the 2 feet of glistening snow outside my window was kinda pretty.

Life goes on. The snow's been plowed. Travel ban is lifted. The local kids have abandoned their forts and snowmen and have gone back to the re-opened schools.

But for a brief moment in time, the world stood still. And quiet. All thanks to that sweet, innocent, lovable Nemo......

Batten Down the Hatches!

Unless you've been living under a rock these last few days, I'm sure you've heard about Hurricane Sandy. The Perfect Storm!! Storm of the Century!! A storm for the generations!! The headlines are blaring, warning us all on the upper east coast to be prepared. The weather channel is in its glory and having a field day with this one.

So are you ready? Have you stocked up on all the essentials: batteries, flashlights, candles, bread, milk, pet food and the very important nacho chips and tequila? If not, you could be in a heap of trouble if the weather warnings come to pass.

Did you check your generator? Radio? Fill up the gas tank in your car? Hope so! If not you still have about 24 hours before the leading edge of the storm reaches our shores.

Don't forget to check on your elderly relatives or neighbors to make sure they're alright. If you keep animals outdoors, make sure they're safe and secure.

It's Saturday, late afternoon. Hubby has taken care of the outside of our home and yard. We have groceries, paper goods and propane for our outdoor grill. Plenty of jugs of water. I think we have done all that we can to prepare.

I hope the storm isn't as bad as last year's nasty lady, Hurricane Irene, but some forecasters are saying it could be worse. I've heard reports of incredible wind gusts, 10"+ rain, 2' snow, deep flooding, downed power lines,uprooted trees, power outages. All the usual hurricane damage but on a massive scale. Not good, people!

Stay safe my friends. And let's keep in touch. I hope we all weather the storm just fine and life goes on as normal (and that Halloween can go on as planned).

Take care.