The Coffee House

[snowbear]

Yet one more reason this bear won’t retire to Florida.

 

[SquarePeg]

My sister lives in central Florida, well south of Tampa, but with a storm the size of Milton, it's hard to take comfort in that. Helene barely grazed her, so she's fortunate in that regard. We've chatted a bit but apparently everyone in the family, as well as everyone else she knows, has been checking in and it's been grating on her nerves. She says they're as ready as they can be, and just wants to be on the other side of it.

My aunt and uncle live on the water in Hernando Beach which was originally going to be the main strike zone. They’ve evacuated to my cousin’s house about 15 miles inland. Another friend in Venice texted me that they have downgraded the storm. I hope that holds.

 

[jeffashman]

Good evening! Ugh! I've been plagued with a head-cold for the past week. Hoping this will clear up soon.

I grew up in Florida on the Space Coast, and during the entire time we lived there, I don't ever remember this many hurricanes. My bedroom window was ripped out by a tornado, but that's about it. We were eating dinner, and it was storming outside, and there was a thump on the roof. After dinner, I went to my room and it felt a little on the chilly and drafty side. I went to close the window, but it wasn't there anymore. The Window, frame and all, had been pulled out, and that was the thump on the roof. There are times that I've thought about returning to FL, to St James City on the southwest coast, just south of Cape Coral, but it's times like this that dissuade me from following up on that. Praying for the folks in the way of the storm, and hopefully they have enough sense to evacuate, no home or property is worth more than a life.

 

[snowbear]

MLSIL has some friends in the general area. She's keeping an eye on the news.

Another round of documents sent to the Mortgage Co. underwriters. We are still on for October 28 for closing. My GIS boss turned in his retirement papers, will be leaving at the end of the year.

 

[VidThreeNorth]

I have been trying to get some good pics or vids of the Autumn (actually for years now) and as of today it occurred to me that it's not likely I'll get it done this year. I learned a few years ago that trees turn color mainly due to the reduction of sunlight. Well, I think that the last few weeks have had more cloud cover than normal and patches of trees have been turning color and strong winds have been ripping them down. So I think the leaves are been brought down before they have a chance to turn color. It's going to go from green trees directly to bare trees. And making it worse, its been cold and rainy.

[22:24 local time]

I have been deliberately not mentioning the weather this week, but that has been the story all around North America. So I guess it's about time to wish everyone affected by Milton and the rest, best of luck. Assume that I am offering what help that I can, but realistically, there is not much I can do. . . .

 

[Digger...]

Farewell you two...

African lion euthanised at Adelaide Zoo after her lifelong partner's death

www.9news.com.au

 

[smoke665]

Looks like my daughter's condo in Ft Myers survived. My Cousin NE of Orlando, had minimal damage, but they did lose power, their standby generator kicked on in the am hours. Several friends on the east side of Orlando survived without much damage, other than a few limbs down and trash scattered around.

 

[smoke665]

@snowbear you didn't tell us you were modeling See 11 of the Best Wildlife Photographs From Years Past

 

[snowbear]

@snowbear you didn't tell us you were modeling See 11 of the Best Wildlife Photographs From Years Past

Oh, that's Uncle Igor.

 

[SquarePeg]

Northern lights tonight possibly as far south as VA. Get to clear dark skies!

 

[snowbear]

Northern lights tonight possibly as far south as VA. Get to clear dark skies!

Too much light pollution this close to DC and no chance to go to the hills.

A comet may also be visible to the west just after sunset.

 

[Rickbb]

Seeing them here in central NC. Plan to drive out to the country for a better view.

 

[terri]

Looks like my daughter's condo in Ft Myers survived. My Cousin NE of Orlando, had minimal damage, but they did lose power, their standby generator kicked on in the am hours. Several friends on the east side of Orlando survived without much damage, other than a few limbs down and trash scattered around.

That's good to hear. My sister made it through with nothing worse than lots of downed tree limbs, debris everywhere from high winds, and loss of power. House is intact and she's feeling lucky.

 

[jeffashman]

Good morning and happy Friday! I hope everyone is doing well.

The two Eurasian Collared Doves that have been showing up have grown into a group of six, and they pretty much dominate the feeder in the morning. The use of Wild Delight Sizzle N' Heat birdseed has successfully dissuaded the squirrels from raiding the feeder, so now I feel bad for them. I'll have to set up a dedicated squirrel feeder in the corner for them, and they can duke it out with the Blue Jays for the peanuts and cracked corn.

The doves keep on trying to land on the window lattice, which is actually inside the double-pane glass, so they just flap against the window. I've decided to get a dowel and set it up on the outside so they have someplace to land and complain to the management when the feeder is empty.

In other news, the Broadway musical Peter Pan is coming to Dallas in December, and Les Miz is coming to Fort Worth in March. I'll be taking the wife and grands to see Peter Pan, and the wife to see Les Miz. Darn expensive tix unless you sit up in the balcony at the back, but the layout at Fairpark is very good, so that shouldn't be an issue. Will get better tix for Les Miz.

 

[SquarePeg]

Too much light pollution this close to DC and no chance to go to the hills.

A comet may also be visible to the west just after sunset.

There must be places along the MD coast that are dark. We had people in their backyards taking photos and were only a few miles from Boston. Definitely better in dark skies but not needed last night!

Seeing them here in central NC. Plan to drive out to the country for a better view.

It was epic!!

Taken with my Fuji but edited on the iphone as I got home at 5am and had an all day class today. Too tired to even download anything to my laptop today!