The Inside Book For The Outside People

So, I survived Hurricane Frances.  But for awhile there, it just felt like I was surviving Hurricane Frances.  I was one of those people who thought the power would not go out, the weather would not be so bad, and everything would rock on as usual.

I was WRONG!!

It all started Saturday night.  Hurricane Frances decided to hang out for awhile, which means in weather terms stay 'Stationary', right off the southeastern coast of Florida.  The rain came along with the wind.  The wind was very strong.  I could hear it howling like something out of an Edgar Allen Poe Story.  Still, I had faith that it would not get that bad, like I was some meteorologist for the night. 

THEN IT HAPPENED-Poof! The lights went out and they did not come back on for 13 more hours!  I had my walkman with batteries in it that were unused.  Every channel except one or two had ongoing news about the weather.  Apparently, other people, many people in fact!, had to deal with the same situation as I did.

I walked next door to my neighbor's place and he let me have a candle.  I was sure I would not need one, so much for what I thought.  He was not feeling well either, so I came back to my dark abode.  I lit a candle and got on the phone. 

Hardly anyone I called was home.  For awhile, it was just me and my walkman and the candle.  Then, I got my brother on the phone.  He lives in Louisiana, where I am originally from.  We talked quite awhile.  I called my sister who lives about 20 minutes from me, she was experiencing the same conditions and assured me to sit tight until morning and then she would come get me if the electricity was not restored.

It began to get HOT! No air condition, No fan twirling around in its fantastic way.  I opened the door and got some air from the blowing wind.  I knew I couldn't goto sleep with the door open as I had no idea who would be walking the streets during the night.  Believe me, people do walk the streets even in horrible weather. 

I crawled back in my bed, put the candle out, and drifted off to sleep.  

The next day I woke up.  It was still HOT! I laid in bed for awhile thinking of all those who had it way worse than me.  I thought about those whose places were flooded and had no insurance.  I thought about those who had no place left to come back to and nothing to do but start again.

Then, Poof! The electricity came back on, like it had never gone off.  

I was very LUCKY.  

Now, Ivan is on its way.  I won't stay long enough the next time to go through that again. I learned my lesson.

4 people died in the hurricane on its trek through Florida.

Now, each day that comes is another day to be happy that I am alive.  

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• #7 Comment from valphish 
  10/14/04 10:22 AM | Permalink

  Glad you were safe.  Florida was ravaged.  My son and daughter and their father lost their home.  They are rebuilding it.  They are okay and that is all that matters.
  http://journals.aol.com/valphish/ValsThoughts
  
• #6 Comment from illustratedfrog 
  9/30/04 10:58 AM | Permalink

  You weren't lucky ~ You were Blessed!  I feel bad for ya tho; can't imagine how hot it musta been; ugh!  Continue to be blessed & I'll continue to read! ~
• #5 Comment from judithheartsong 
  9/10/04 3:58 PM | Permalink

  thinking of you.... hope Ivan evaporates and leaves Florida alone. Continue to be safe!! judi
• #4 Comment from ladyssigh 
  9/8/04 11:37 PM | Permalink

  .......Hmmph...and not ONE word of your semi-hysterical friend in Colorado who was BEGGING you to drag your stubborn ass out of the way of danger as you pooh-poohed all of her anxieties.....
  
  Glad you didn't get swept away, sweetie....
• #3 Comment from happinessdreams 
  9/7/04 8:52 PM | Permalink

  I'm so glad that you are safe. You are truly lucky and blessed. Take care.
  Elisa