I’m taking a moment to report that we — me, Bob, the Old Professor, Benjamin the Beagle and Madam the Cat — made it through Hurricane Irma with minimum of both structural and personal damage.  The power went out at 6:26 a.m. and the worst of the weather came through between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.  We’ve opened up the house, cranked up the generator and have connected the icebox, a toaster oven, a light, and the VOIP box which gives us both internet and phone service.

We have not had a lot of outside communication; the TV stations have been simulcasting on local radio, but it hasn’t been very helpful when they’re describing things we can’t see.  We do know that the storm hit Cudjoe Key at 9:10 a.m. and basically submerged the lower Keys before moving on to Naples and the west coast.  I hope they can make it through without tremendous loss of life and property.

I’m going to keep posting to a minimum until things are more settled.  I don’t know when I’ll be moving back home; I don’t know the condition of my home.  My neighbors and landlord know how to contact me, and I have a friend in the county police force who can get through if need be. Thanks in advance for your thoughts and wishes.