It’s time to reflect on what all has happened this past week. Hurricane Milton has created lots of devastation in our area but has left behind two beautiful, calm, sunny days in its wake. To gaze up at the blue sky, you would think that nothing had happened but look across the street and down the block and the damage is obvious. Trees down or bent over, missing roof tiles, and lanai screens flapping in the wind are the norm. The neighbor across the street got an estimate of $4,000 for cage repairs. We were lucky to have escaped with minor problems. Is another storm on the way? 

This is, of course, nothing compared to those who lost everything. Most of my neighbors can afford their losses, but I’m concerned, for example, about the family that owns the local baseball card shop. They just opened a second store in Sarasota and have significant roof damage to both locations. Hopefully, their inventory, that includes some of my collection, is safe. Fortunately, the anticipated flooding never happened, but water undoubtedly leaked into their properties from above. The windows were securely boarded-up, so it’s hard to tell what happened inside. They do intend to open today, but even a couple of missed sales days can cripple a small business like this. Most retail stores have been closed all week and many still don’t have power. I’m worried for them all!

Timing in life is everything! Our friend a few blocks down, just closed on their house two weeks ago, only to suffer some damage from this untimely storm. The card shop owners just celebrated a grand opening, that my wife and I attended, only to be welcomed with disaster. The eye hit landfall just 30 miles north of us in Sarasota, where I once owned property. I’m certainly glad I don’t today! I’ve been lucky in life, but others certainly haven’t!

We were without power for just 18-hours, most of that while we were sleeping, although a bit muggy and uncomfortable. Our house of steel, concrete, and high-impact glass can easily withstand the winds. It was quiet indoors until you opened the door to chaos. I can’t say that I’ve ever experienced winds so intense, able to rip the glasses off my face. During Hurricane Ian two years ago, we lost most of the food in our freezer, but we weren’t here when the power was out for days. I think the power surge also damaged the electronics in the refrigerator, that we just finally got properly repaired a few weeks ago. Milton, for some reason, did not play havoc with our electricity. 

For us, everything is back to normal. We had “Date Night” at nearby Oak & Stone on Friday night. We then marveled over a History Channel special on the ancient city of Petra, a modern-day “Wonder of the World” that we toured a few years ago. I, of course, watched Saturday college football, while my wife spent time with our two pups, both of us relieved that we weren’t dealing with the hassles that others are facing in our immediate area. All in all, it’s been a normal, restful weekend full of reflection!