KEY WEST APPEARS SAFE

Missed the bullet again! So it appears. We get past tomorrow and everything definitely ok.

99L is still 99L. Has not reached tropical storm or hurricane strength. It will pass over us some time today and tonight. Big rain and wind. When it hits the Gulf, it may grow to hurricane status. Will not affect the Keys.

At the moment, 99L is near Cuba.

Better safe than sorry. I finally hurricane shopped yesterday. Even if only for a couple of days of rain and wind.

Not expensive. Probably because I did not buy enough. I have no faith that the storm will have increased in strength when it goes over Key West.

$80 covered everything. Two flashlights and a battery operated lamp at Home Depot. Crackers, peanut butter, jam, sardines, fruits and puddings already prepared that do not require refrigerating, gallons of water, bottled water, etc. at Publix.

A sign that the storm is not being taken seriously was Home Depot and Publix. When a storm is around the corner, they feature everywhere water, flashlights, batteries. Publix, certain foods.

No such displays yesterday.

Another indication that a problem may be ahead are the shelves of bottled water. Non-existent. Yesterday, not even a dent.

For those unaware, foods must be purchased that do not require refrigeration. Electricity is the first to go. Galloned water needed to flush the toilets. the plumbing screws up.

My plan was to spend yesterday afternoon researching this week’s KONK column. I would then write it today.

I started around 2. Did not get far. Pop ups. Multiple full page ones. Not with every site. Definitely with the sites I needed for research.

The column will be about Mylan, its CEO Heather Bresch, her father Senator Joe Manchin, and Epi Pens. The connection between politics and corporate America. Favors done. A today issue. As regards Mylan, on the verge of becoming explosive. A shameful situation.

I telephoned Tim Reynolds in Tampa. Used to live and work in Key West. Computer guru. does it for a living. He is hooked up to my computer so he can take care of problems.

Took four hours to get rid of the pop ups. A pain in the ass! By the time the problem was corrected, I was exhausted. I was working along with Tim.

Not in any condition to research. Not even go out. Put the research off to today. Research and write in one day. Onerus!

I got up at 5 and sat at the computer immediately. Research complete. I will write this afternoon.

I love my roots. Utica, NY. Unfortunately, economically depressed more than sixty years. My brother in law Robert Palmieri is Mayor. He has a thankless task in trying to get things going.

A study was recently done re the 10 worst places to live in New York State. Utica was #9. I would have expected it to be closer to #1. Reasons included crime, jobs, income levels, and cheap homes.

The sole favorable report was that General Electric was returning. Many many years ago, GE was one of Utica’s major employers.

Enjoy your Sunday!