As Irma Approaches

On the flight from the Quad Cities there was this curtain separating the 1st class from coach passengers. The attendant took their drink orders before take-off and made sure they were properly served in a timely fashion after takeoff. I don't think I'm a 1st class kind of guy.

In Chicago while waiting for my flight south I noticed this guy reading a book and bobbing behind the partition.

Our plane reflected on the water as we bank toward the airport.

Shelves were empty in Publix grocery store as we went to get me some coffee and milk.

Sights during my 3:00 am walk around the block in Largo.

This business is boarded up and with a message for Irma.

This gas station was closed for gas earlier, but I noticed the local gendarmes were lining up this early morning. Perhaps stations keep enough for emergency vehicles. I don't know, but it makes sense.

Cost of gas was $2.69 before they all started closing up.

You just can't find any right now. Gas is gold.

Apparently there is some conflicting view of taped windows. Waterboard sent notes to renters not to tape windows as they make for larger, and more dangerous, shards of glass.

I was quite surprised to see all these cars at the Largo High School as I turned the 3rd corner of my block. I suppose it was a meeting of local emergency personnel as Irma approaches. This was at approximately 4:00 am.

(Turned out this was not a meeting of emergency personnel, but rather that the high school had already started to shelter those who were under a mandatory evacuation.)

Here at Waterboard preparations are continuing. 2 cakes baked, boxes of snacks in the corner, bookcases moved in front of the rear sliding glass doors. Funny side note: my buddy Jeff, who had to flee Tybee Island messaging the current Mrs. Blythe "Make sure Mike doesn't go out and photograph the storm." (Thanks, but fat chance, Mr. Sutor)

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Flashback Friday

Class, Or Lack Thereof The Dwight Vice gravestone in Oquawka, Illinois. I bring this old chestnut out every so often just to remind me that class is classless. Dwight Vice was killed in his home near Oquawka in 2001. It was one of those things that can generate crime: two guys thought Dwight had a lot of money stashed at home because of his pot-selling sideline to supplement his fishing job. Not really one of those big drug deals gone-bad things. Marijuana was, according to the trial, about the only stuff Dwight sold. But these two guys barge into the house and killed Dwight and attempted to kill his 11 year old kid, Darryl, before they took off with what money they could find. His son, now 23, was stabbed in the back and left for dead. He survived and is wheelchair bound and has undergone several surgeries to repair his wounds. He will be paralyzed for life. None of this is pleasant. Reading the facts of the murder and attempted murder are most unpleasant

Summer Swim

It's Monday and the start of another work week. Except for me. I have the week off because the parents of my daycare charges are taking the week off, too. This is one of those wordless posts I love on Mondays so I can put my laziness in full view of loyal readers. These pics need no words. Why muddy the waters? They were taken at the pool at Sinkhole Estates aka Death Valley. The nice thing about this pool is it is heated in winter. If one must find positives in one's situation, I suppose that is one. But, please, no more.

Florida Air Museum - Part 3

Welcome back to a pretty neat tour of the Florida Air Museum in Lakeland Florida. There's a lot to see and a couple of the old Geezer Gold Wing guys are already sitting down instead of walking around looking at the exhibits. That's John who is wore out and making a call to his wife. In all honesty, John was pretty well bushed before the ride. He told me his daughter's family was down from one of the Carolina's with the grand kids and he must have played with them too much. He's about to take off on his own and head for home, but he's going to miss a couple of neat things out on Hangar A. But, before we walk over there, we have lots yet to see here. If you saw The Aviator with Leonardo DiCaprio playing Howard Hughes, you'll remember that he went up in a plane during the filming of one of his movies to prove a point about flying. He crashed trying to execute a roll and this is a picture of the plane he crashed. Note the propeller

Existing In BFE

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