What Floridians are doing at the moment is not normal. One way or another, Norma’s effects are upon us.
Normalcy to me will be getting back to Key West. Just permit me to get home. Hopefully to an undamaged or minimally damaged house. I want to live in my home again!
Not that things have not been great in Birmingham. Jean a terrific hostess. An angel taking care of us evacuees. Accommodations out of sight. Great meals. A cheery atmosphere.
I am concerned about Key West itself. Much damage. I look forward to joining in with friends to restore the community.
Returning to Dodge not going to happen today or tomorrow sadly. TV and social media advise 7-10 days. A long time. Hope I can return sooner. Not only to return, but also to relieve Jean and Joe of the burden they have accepted. Taking care of us. No way can this kindness ever be repaid.
Communication remains a problem. Cell phones useless. Cell towers down. No way to communicate in Florida and parts of Georgia. I understand temporary towers are coming in and will help relieve the problem.
Land lines work. Amazing! The old still true. They are working because regulated and mostly underground. Jean does not have a land line. Few people I know have a land line. Even if they did, would not know their number. I only take cell numbers down on my phone.
Trump had it right when it came to social media. The only way Irma information has been circulated. On the spot. Quicker than TV.
Jean says spotty cell phone service has begun this morning. She was able to do a cell phone to cell phone call to Key West.
Throughout Florida, people and pets have been evacuated. There is a fowl breed that has benefited, also. Chickens. The chickens that run around Key West streets.
Tourist think them cute. Natives hate them. Germ bearing and dirty.
Key Wester Jayesh Mami was concerned. H is known as the Selfi King. An Indian. Works in the India store in Key West.
He gathered as many chickens as he could. Wrapped them carefully in paper. Only a bit of the tail and the head sticking out. Laid them carefully in boxes. Then drove them north on US 1. Where, I know not.
In the past few days, I have seen on TV videos of two separate beach areas where ocean water should have sat. The power of Irma drew the water from the beach far out into the ocean. Only sand and a few rocks visible.
Amazing power!
Of course, the ocean returned. Called the surge.
The USS Abraham Lincoln came into Key West yesterday. A light carrier. Brought in food and other supplies. Also the Lincoln will remain a while and its personnel will assist in the clean-up.
There has to be one asshole! Always!
I refer to Sheriff Grady Judd of Polk County. He threatened to jail anyone in his County’s shelters who had a warrant pending against them. A leave them out to drown attitude.
Note warrants against people include all kinds of traffic citations also. Like you failed to show up in court re a speeding ticket.
His deputies should be out helping people. First responder type activity and not jailing those with warrants pending.
A court order was sought prohibiting the Sheriff from such action. I could not find information re the outcome of the court proceeding.
Jean and her little group of evacuees have acquired a bit of notoriety in Birmingham. A TV reporter showed up yesterday. Talked with us and filmed us. We appeared on local FOX 6 last night.
Amusingly, I received an e-mail from Great Britain’s LBC yesterday afternoon. LBC is a London based national talk and phone in radio station. I am scheduled for a call this morning to be interviewed about Irma.
There has to be a subtle tension involved with being an evacuee. One a person is not aware of.
Yesterday around 4, I got tired. Dead ass tired. Could not believe how tired. Slept on a living room chair a couple of hours. Ate a sparse dinner. Immediately followed by bed. Slept like a baby all night. Feel terrific this morning.
Did not drink at all yesterday.
Joe Thornton has not been with us since sunday. In Austin on business. Returns tonight at 5.
Don’t know if we have room for him!
Enjoy your day!