Trying to Reason

Helene’s departure did not mean I was done trying to reason with hurricane season this year.  Milton’s path two weeks later did not bring it as close to Tybee, but this time the other place where I own property was on the “dirty” side.  Fort Pierce, Florida, experienced 18 tornadoes.  Somehow, the  condo where my aunt lives was unscathed.  She was here with me, on a visit we had planned weeks earlier.   Except for a little wind and a quarter inch of rain from Milton, we had beautiful weather.  Again, it was nearly impossible to imagine the incongruous devastation not all that far away.

 Post-Milton Thoughts

Earlier this year, I questioned my own wisdom in planning two vacations in hurricane country this September and October.  I got away with Labor Day weekend in Key West, after Debby and before Helene.  Next week I am headed to Gulf Shores, Alabama.  There are a couple x’s on the National Hurricane Center’s map, but the less sensationalistic observers I follow don’t seem concerned.  The season runs until November 30, but the ocean water here has apparently cooled enough already to be unfavorable for hurricanes. 

Out of gratitude for my luck so far, I have donated to the Red Cross, the Salvation Army, American Humane (pet rescue) and the local YMCA who provided hot meals and cooling/charging facilities when the power was out.  The event I’m attending in Gulf Shores includes several fundraisers for hurricane relief, including for the Lone Palm Foundation through which Parrot Heads (Jimmy Buffett fans) help one another after storms.  As Mr. Rogers famously quoted his mother, “Look for the helpers.  You will always find people who are helping.”  I haven’t met a single person who doesn’t want to help somehow, which is why I think away from politics, away from social media, away from the spotlight, people are basically well-intentioned and good.