July 10, 2005
Gulf Dodges the Bullet
Looks like Dennis petered out before landfall. Horrah!
Rumor has it that most parts of Gulf Shores never lost power and Hwy. 59 was reopened late this afternoon.
Navarre & Santa Rosa Island, FL may not have faired as well, but damage seems to be minimal in all spots that are being shown on television or online.
Good news for one and all!
Hurricane Dennis: Watching for a Hit Today
Conditions are going downhill fast in Gulf Shores. Even the police who, as of last night, was planning to stay on the "Island," are evacuating.
Dennis is back up to Category 4 (currently reporting 145MPH winds).
If you are watching, hurricanetrack.com is setting up their tower now in an attempt to get some footage of the storm at the beach again this year. They had been scheduled to stay at the Gulf Shores Police Department to ride out the storm. Conditions have changed that plan. It is an interesting site to watch for updates and recent video of the area.
NOAA and the NHC seem to have the potential direct hit area narrowed to the area between Mobile Bay and Ft. Walton Beach, FL. The models seem to be converging there. Not a good day for Gulf Shores.
May the angels bless them one and all!
Farron
July 09, 2005
Hurricanes, Hummingbirds & EE1.3
I can't stand it! I swore last winter I was not touching this blog again until I redid and moved it off MT to Expression Enigine this summer.
I have been picking at it and snooping the new Expression Engine 1.3 release in the last week. I swear!
As of this moment, the blog still sits and here come the hummingbirds and hurricanes.
Hurricane Dennis is tracking toward my favorite part of the world, Gulf Shores, AL. The strongest hurricane on record for July in the Gulf. Scary stuff.
Right now, it has dropped to a Category 1 after being overland for ten hours. Dennis is expected to strengthen back to a Cat 3 before it makes landfall somewhere on the northern Gulf coast. It appears the best guesses range from Mobile to Panama City Beach. That is the exact path we drove last Christmas to see how things were going three months after Ivan. They were still devastated, but the spirit of the people was evident in Christmas lights and decorations amid the rubble. We cheered and cried at the same time.
There's my Hero of the Hurricane Season, "Indiana Weather". Dennis is back up to a Cat 2 as it pulls away from Key West.
Some light poking around the forum for Gulf Shores, AL on al.com seems has a much more tense and nervous feel than it did prior to Ivan last year. They seem to be trying to remain hopeful, but they are still rebuilding and have seen first hand what a major storm can do.
A forum that appears popular with Dauphin Island residents shows that some of the few full time residents are planning to batten down hatches and ride out the storm on the Island. Brave storm troopers or fools? Depends on your point of view. I have a funny feeling that if my home were there, I'd be with them right now. More power to them and bless them all!
I am probably only talking to myself due to my long absence from blogging, but I am going to go ahead and add a list of links to hurricane tracking sites other than the well trafficked weather.com. Mostly so I can find them easily in the future. There seems to be a good possibility of a long and rough hurricane season.
- wunderground.com
http://www.wunderground.com/tropical/tracking/at200504_5day.html - hurricanetrack.com
http://www.hurricanetrack.com/ - South Florida Water Management Tracking
http://www.sfwmd.gov/org/omd/ops/weather/plots/storm_04.gif - NOAA
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
A quick Google search will bring up many more. All eyes seem to be on the northern Gulf coast right now. May they all ride out this storm in safety.
Now on to a brighter note. Hummingbirds!:
We did see the usual advance scout hummers in the early spring, one or two, but they normally move on. The flowers are not blooming yet. Even though they seem to love the sweet nectar of the feeders, the lantana and peavine flowers seem to be the staples they love for natural and buggy treats. Eat those bugs birdies, please!
This morning, over coffee on the patio, two females paid visits to the feeder in rapid succession. Turf wars have begun!
I declare Saturday, July 9th the official day to add the second feeder this season. Time to run cook some more nectar for the visiting ladies and their little ones.
Farron
[& Snoozing, Could Care Less _^..^_ ]
October 26, 2004
The Flora-Bama: Hold That Thought!
Ahaha,
Long Live the Flora-Bama! Developers may be licking their chops and circling the Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area like a bunch of vultures hoping to increase the generic, concrete wall of high rises along the beach, sell them and run to ruin yet another scenic and interesting spot in the world, but some remain determined to hang on to a bit of eclectic character.
A quote from and article dated, Sunday, October 17, 2004 in "The Birmingham News" from one of the co-owners of the legendary Flora-Bama Lounge is interviewed.:
"Equally determined to stay put, although in a more sin-loving kind of way, are the owners of the Flora-Bama Lounge.
Ivan knocked down much of the building, although the hurricane's 120 mph winds weren't strong enough to blow the cigarette smoke smell out of the remaining walls.
Joe Gilchrist, a Birmingham-native and Flora-Bama co-owner, said owners are still trying to figure out how much of the original building, if anything, can be salvaged. Gilchrist said not to worry, though. The rebuilt 'Bama, home of the Mullet Toss festival, will never blend in with the sleek condos taking over the beachfront.
'It will not be made of pink stucco with a purple roof,' Gilchrist said. 'Whatever we do, it will be done in just as poor taste as everything we've always done. We will be true to our original concept of trashy modern.'."
Hang in there guys! When you are ready for us to return, we will be back to visit your Hi-Tack mecca to consume some of the best royal reds and oysters on the Alabama shore!
Farron
October 09, 2004
Someday in Gulf Shores
I don't know exactly when or how, but someday [hopefully sooner, rather than later] I will be in Gulf Shores, even if it is only as a part time resident at first.
It's not in the cards to actually move there at this point in time, but I am remaining ever the delusional optimist and making plans:
*Grin*
Farron
[& Skeptical _^..^_ ]
October 05, 2004
Like My New Tag Toy?
This vehicle and it's owner may be physically landlocked in Tennessee, but their hearts and souls cannot be found there. They are lost somewhere on the northwest shores of the Gulf of Mexico.
Signed,
404@daBeach!
October 01, 2004
Chicken and the Bungalow
Becky, remember I told you about the giant chicken [amend to rooster] who sits right at the Tennessee/Alabama border and next door to the Boobie Bungalow?
Here he is! Thought he might be a great hot date for a Hen like you. [ducking rotten egg thrown at my head from MN].
He's the last thing we saw on the way out of the state and to the beach Tuesday night. Lovely, huh? I do live in a *classy* state. SNORT!
Farron
September 30, 2004
Morning Musings from the Edge
The affect of the sea is a very strange thing. Up before sunrise? Who me? The night owl supreme?
Had I slept another hour, I would have missed the full moon over the water in dark sky at five a.m. but bathed in pink and golden tones by just after six.
Pelicans flying in formation under the moon while the first light of day paints the sky is truly a magical site to behold.
I found it strange to turn my face back toward the east and see the cranes (of the mechanical, non-feathered sort) moving into position over the ever marching wall of high rises with which we humans try to block the breezes and views of the shores from the rest of the world. We really are like cockroaches in the way we continue to multiply and infest the planet.
Also, the thought of the massive devastation just a few miles down the coast has almost an unreal ring from where I have been standing this morning. Were the roads between here and there open and passable, an hour's drive west on the coast road would change the realities of the day completely.
God's speed in recovery to all of you in the area just to my west. My eye has been cast toward you more than once since I arrived. I know I am not welcome there at this moment when, by necessity, you must close your ranks and heal your lives. I wish you all the best from down the road as I would be a burden, not an asset to you at this time. My heart is with you.
No photos this morning as I just sent the camera off with *himself* on a deep sea fishing. He loves boats and fishing, but neither is my cup of tea. I like the expanse of the beach and sand between my toes. Bouncing and confining boats of any size, shape or description have never held much fascination for me. What I love is the feeling of standing on the edge of the world with my back to the walls we have built and staring idly across the endless sea. I can understand how people of ancient times believed the world was flat and that if you went far enough, you could fall off the edge.
It certainly feels that way this morning while watching the sunrise from the edge of the world.
Farron
[the temporarily AWOL _^..^_ slave ]
September 21, 2004
Lots of West Beach Footage! ~ Gulf Shores
WWL-TV out of New Orleans has posted a long version of the video flyover from last Thursday, September 16th. If you are still searching to see if a building is standing, many seem to be finding their special spots in the world on this footage:
It is about thirty minutes long and I am fairly certain you will need broadband to grab and play it.
The real estate agents are starting to post more photos as well. I am not sure the shots on the Meyer site from West Beach are all properties they manage. I know I saw a Kaiser sign smushed in front of at least one of the houses.
There are a large number of photos there. You can go through small, thumbnails one by one on each page and click to enlarge any that might be of interest, or click on the "slideshow" link to roll through them all one by one. They appear to be updating and adding as they are able to access properties for at least a glimpse.
Best wishes and good luck to anyone seeking information on their home or a dearly loved vacation spot.
Farron
[and beach indifferent _^..^_ ]
September 20, 2004
Building to a Higher Standard
Maybe the real title of this post should be "How to Sneak a Web Standards Plug Into My Hurricane Ivan Obsession"?
I have been watching for a certain little house in Gulf Shores to post results of how it weathered the storm. Some of you may remember that, about two years ago I was dancing around with glee at the owner's use of MiracleGro and Rice Krispies in floor treatments, and a wonderful mosaic shower. All sorts of things. This lady should really write, "A Million Uses for MiracleGro" along the lines of published lists of all the ways you can use duct tape or baking soda. I had a blast reading that part.
But what was, really interesting to Tony and to me was how carefully they were paying attention to building the house to a standard that would withstand a major storm. From the pictures and comments she is starting to post, it appears all that hard work and attention to detail paid off:
Moral of the story as related to web design? Make it pretty, make it fun, but when you get lazy (like I often do) and want to fudge on serious structural details, think about some of the other buildings you have seen in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and other points on the NW Gulf Coast that are all over the news and linked in posts all over these blog posts. Think of them as pages designed with old fashioned tag soup, twisted table layouts and codes that do not comply with minimal W3C standards. Much of the time they will plod along and hang in for *sunny day viewing.* But hit them with a serious storm of all the different issues which can affect page display, accessibility and usability and BAM, down they go in a crumpled heap. Strucutral failure supreme.
Then think of this little house when you are grumbling about taking the small amount of time to design up to standards. Sure, like this house your site/page will need a few tweaks and adjustments after a serious battering, but it will weather the winds and rain.
Why do I get a funny feeling that the tiny building itself, left alone with out loving owners to watch over it, stuck out it's little dac-art tongue and gave ol' Ivan one of our quadruple cat dares, just begging him to hit her with his best shot? He did just that, but doesn't seem to have been any match for her southern strength and stubbornness. Too bad, Ivan, take your wind & rain to Huntsville where you can really terrify a house. [wink, wink]
Now that is your standards driven page comparison. It may have a bump or a bruise, but it's still usable, it's still accessible (provided you can get past the mandatory blockades and the *stuff* in the road) and it's still standing strong.
Can your web page design handle abuse so well? If not, get to work! And yes, I am looking at myself in a mirror and pointing a finger as I say that! I need a good storm to blow away a few gazillion old ones still lurking out there.
No, I do not know the owners or builders. (Except that the owners are also Tennesseans. ;^) I've just been watching for that one to surface online because it has really interested me for quite awhile now. And it was such a joy to see someone withstanding this storm. Amazing what some advance planning and attention to detail can do for you, isn't it? (Stop making faces Slacker!! I know you write stellar codes, even if you don't like to admit it! ;^)
The place is actually inspiring me to clean up this outdated mess at Catartis and, finally, get it moved to a new system. Like their south side hurricane shutters, it seemed like a good idea when it was created (with NN4 still in mind) but that's been awhile. I have lived and learned since then. Besides, I am deathly sick of that butterscotch color and have been too lazy to do anything about even that over here. Shame on me!
Hummm, and I could shorten the number of days that posts stay on this main page while I am it. With my recent obsession, load time is more than a little heavy at the moment. To put it mildly, haha!
Excuse for this story: Design to Standards! Go above and beyond them in your attention to details. Plan for the worse, enjoy the best and easy, sunny days. Doesn't matter if it's a house or a web page. The principle holds true.
So did I sneak enough web stuff in here to get back to my current obsession? There is one more house I'd like to find online and see how it fared. The pink one we dilly dallied and didn't grab. I have a funny feeling that it may be okay except for the lower level *under pinnings* as long as the foundation didn't shift or sink.
Needless to say, I am taking notes and filing ideas for our future home in Gulf Shores. It will happen.... someday. *sigh*
TaTa for now,
Farron
[and _^..^_ who wants to know if he really has to ride in a C-A-R to move to the beach]
September 19, 2004
Baldwin County Red Cross Donations
I should have noted last night that the Meyer Real Estate site [posted below] has an internal link where you can make donations directly to the Baldwin County Chapter of the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.
The Red Cross general disaster relief donation link has been noted earlier in this blog, but I for one, wanted to add a bit extra that was targeted directly toward the people of Gulf Shores and Baldwin County who have made my life joyful on many occasions.
Anyone else feel the same way about the area and the people there? If so, do not forget that every little bit helps, especially if we all do that!!
Farron
[ _^..^_ says "Do It Now!!"]
Perdido Key, FL Message Board
For those interested in information on the Perdido Key area, I found an area specific message board.
This board is hosted by the "Pensacola News Journal." Hope it helps!
Farron
Gulf Shores Shrimp Festival 2004 Cancelled??
Per a note I just found on the Meyer Real Estate site:
http://www.meyerre.com/content/storminfo/hurricane.htm
it appears the Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores has been cancelled for this year.
That sounds reasonable, given the condition of the area at this point, but what a shame. I know from my wanderings that many residents and owners were hoping it would continue on a smaller scale. They need a reason/excuse to celebrate.
It was also noted that Meyer will be cancelling all rental reservations prior to October 16th, 2004. This could change, but that is the current, estimated date.
If others follow suit, it appears we will not be able to stay in the area for a night or two on our way back to Nashville from Panama City Beach. I was hoping to talk Tony into that. *smile*
I am posting based on my assumption that this information is as accurate as possible at this time. I do know Meyer is an extremely reputable company and a strong presence in the Gulf Shores community. Their information should be good and from reliable sources.
But then, everything is subject to change when your world has just been flipped and tumbled upside down and backwards.
Hang in there Gulf Shores!!
Sweet dreams of better days to come.....
Farron
[sensible _^..^_ is asleep]
Gulf Shores, AL ~ Hurricane Damage Updates
As of today, only a few areas of Gulf Shores have allowed access to residents and property owners. No others are allowed in at this time.
If you are looking for information or photos of certain areas or properties, landmarks or the area in general I have found several grassroots message boards where owners, residents, long time visitors and well wishers are sharing information, links and photographs as they become available.
I do not know how many of these links will stay active or topical in the long run, but even if they go dead later, I wanted to collect some of them here in one place. Hey, I have lost more in my obsessive wanderings than I still have at the moment.
*** Note: All links open in external windows. Simply close the page to return here. ***
Message Boards
For Gulf Shores, AL:
http://www.al.com/forums/gulfshores/
For Dauphin Island, AL:
http://www.hwforums.com/2144/index.html
UPDATE:
A new message board has been created with area specific categories for communities up and down the Gulf who experienced Ivan's wrath. Condo and Home specific information is being posted there. They welcome any information you may have:
http://forums.sunnygulf.com/index.php
General Hurricane Info:
http://members.boardhost.com/hurricanecity/
Some photo sites:
This has some of the best shots of the West Beach area. Much of what I had been searching for was here.
Some are slow loading, others may not load and you need to use IE to access the slide show.
http://www.ci.gulf-shores.al.us/Slideshow.htm
I, for one, salute whoever went and took these pictures and uploaded them. Whatever their web skill level might be, they obviously worked furiously to get information to those who cannot access this dearly loved area.
And don't take a good, close look at this post, btw. I am sort of *slamming* and ignoring proper structure, too. [sheepish look]
My bet is that they were shooting on Friday and up all night to get the photos in place by early Saturday. Thank you! Thank you! and Applause! Applause!
Photo Gallery at al.com [a growing list]
Some early shots of different Phoenix properties from Brett-Robinson.
Pensacola News Journal: Photo Galleries
Navarre, Pensacola Beach, Perdido
From Atlanta Newspaper:
www.ajc.com
Alabama Photos
Florida Photos
Geological Studies: Some before and after shots
Dauphin Island Photos:
Scroll to bottom of this page:
http://king-o-coals.com/ivan.htm
Aerial Video Footage
ABC Affiliate from Birmingham
From this list in weather section. [Others may follow]
And the first ones out of the gate with video!
WWL-TV out of New Orleans
Main Listing Page
See reports September 16-17, 2004 for flyovers, reports of damage, FloraBama footage and more live coverage. Others may follow.
Gulf Shores Talk Radio Online Broadcast has been filling in details as they receive them.
http://whep1310.com/
Zone Information for Gulf Shores
http://forums.sunnygulf.com/viewtopic.php?t=124
Also check the official city websites for more information and up to date bulletins on who is allowed back in the area and when. I do not have them all at hand this second, but they should be easy to find via Google.
Whew! That's all I can handle tonight!
Farron
[with ever helpful _^..^_ in lap]
September 17, 2004
Gulf Shores, AL ~ West Beach/Little Lagoon!
Whew!
I have been obsessing off and on all day trying to get information and photos regarding the condition of one of my most dearly loved spots in the world. West Beach/Little Lagoon area of Gulf Shores, AL.
Late afternoon and evening tv crews seemed to be getting some photos on the air. Prior to that, many, many thanks to WWL-TV out of New Orleans for the aerial video on their website:
To access the video, you need to go to the main page, look in the left sidebar for new videos. If you are not already a *member* there, you need to sign up. It is free.
The shots seem to be in random order, and there are some really heartbreaking views. As I sat near tears the first time I viewed the rubble that remains in many places, one bright ray [for me, anyway] appeared in appeared in the last ten seconds or so of the film. Beach side of Little Lagoon in approximately the 1800 - 1900's blocks [just west of Lagoon Pass] seems to be in fair shape! I am sure there is more damage when the buildings are inspected at close range, but the vast majority of the structures seem to be standing and totally fixable. How those little houses survived with so many other larger, seemingly stronger buildings crushed defies my version of logic. But there they are. The only thing that crosses my mind is that they were just enough to the west that they missed total leveling by inches.
Or, as I believe, they truly are magical and a protective, enchanted bubble was cast around them.
That is the part of the world cast a spell on me from day one! The word that came clearly into my mind the first time I set foot on that stretch of beach was *HOME!* I will have one there one day. And I will be a returning guest until that time. .
Anyone who has been in that area knows that the Little Lagoon ~ West Beach area has the most beautiful sunsets that can be found!!! Its survival was such a ray of hope!
If you are trying to find more information on houses or businesses in the Gulf Shores area and how they weathered the storm, another helpful spot might be the Gulf Shores Forum at al.com:
http://www.al.com/forums/gulfshores/
It is a small, grassroots board, but people are jumping in and sharing bits of information they have and trying to help others find what they want or need to know. No one can physically return to the area, but as with all things online, people from across all walks of life each get different bits and pieces of information. If they come here and share them the overall picture starts to become clearer.
Goodnight to one and all!
Farron
[ _^..^_ has totally lost interest ]
September 15, 2004
Blogs About Ivan
The Irish Trojan's Blog - Hurricane bloggers has links to several bloggers who are in Ivan's path.
Catartis sends thoughts and prayers in their direction. Stay safe, ya'll!
Farron
[& _^..^_ in Tennessee]
September 14, 2004
Hurricane Ivan: Watching and Waiting
With Ivan approximately 300 miles and 24+ off the coast, eyes are turning toward Mobile and Baldwin Counties in Alabama. That's my dearly loved, Gulf Shores!
No one knows exactly where the strongest hit might be, but everyone in the area will be adversely affected. This one has the makings of a monster.
We were sulking about a delayed or cancelled vacation. Shame on us for such selfishness. We are counting our blessings at the moment and trying to send some of those along to those whos lives are in the potential path.
Don't forget that the Red Cross Disaster Fund can help to make life a little easier for these displaced souls in time of need. Every little bit helps.
Donations of any sort or size are made easy at:
Check the link if you have a few minutes or dollars to spare.
Farron and _^..^_
September 13, 2004
Is He Sleeping in or Gone?
Hummm, there is *a girl* reporter in PCB this morning. They flew her in from Atlanta yesterday/last night(?).
Is Indiana Weather sleeping in or have they sent him a bit west? The track is ever moving but staying in that general area of the NorthWest Gulf at the moment. Hard to tell much at this point.
Here is a good, easy to load tracking map that seems to be constantly updated right now.
Track seems to keep wobbling. Last night's prediction was a direct hit near Destin. This morning west to Gulf Shores, right this second back closer to Destin again.
There seems to have been a big pow wow meeting at the offices of the people putting on this trip. Sounds like it will be moved to the end of the month. Yah! for us, but that doesn't lessen the fact that people in some part of that area are getting ready to get slammed! My thoughts and prayers are with them.
And I am still watching this like a hawk.
*THE* _^..^_ is not out of the woods on that trip and the vet stay yet. If it's just a bit later, we may be able to stay a day or two longer like we normally do, too. He may have just fixed his furry little wagon. purrrrahahahahaha!
Farron
[and an over confident, sleeping _^..^_ ]
September 12, 2004
A Smile While Grumbling
Looks like I am not the only one who thinks Jim Cantore's location is *THE* spot to watch. Mr. Storm = Indiana Weather.
Amazing what you might find while mindlessly surfing and sulking. ;^)
Farron
Media Coverage and Ivan the Terrible
I am just waiting for the "I told you so's" from Butzi.
Media likes to get right on top of the worst spots in a storm, right?
Well take a look where The Weather Channel has their ace hurricane chaser/storm magnet, Indiana Weather, and look where the Weather Bug guy has gone.
Right where we are supposed to be this week. Anyone besides me think this is where they are betting the worst hit will occur?
Curses! Curses Foiled Again!
Tony and I are convinced that our *dear* Cat with his Russian name (Tchaikovsky) has been channeling to the spirit of Russia's Czar Ivan the Terrible to keep us from leaving and shipping him off to cat prison for a few days.
He gave me that innocent cat look when I asked him directly. But I'm not buying his story. Lil Rat! He'd better adjust that path in a big hurry!!
Farron
[who is not speaking to the _^..^_ right now!]
Update: As I was getting ready to post this, the local news said that PCB (where we were going) is the best guess at this point of the spot which will take the direct hit. grrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Hurricane Magnets!!
Oh No!
I have been watching to see where the Weather Channel moved my hurricane hero, Indiana Weather [aka. Jim Cantore]. That guy is a hurricane magnet.
Guess where he is?
You don't have to click if you know me... yup, he's in Panama City Beach. I just KNOW *The* Cat sent him there!
Trip is suddenly not looking good, even from my delusionary optimistic point of view. Dern, I should have that blog up and running right now. lol
I still haven't quite given up the ghost, but the one indicator I pretty much swear by just rolled in. [grumble, grumble]
Farron
[and a now smirking _^..^_ ]
Hurricanes and the Best Laid Plans
Well that old Hurricane Ivan is trying to creep westward and rain on my parade. Wonder if this is all part of the cat network plot to try to keep *THE* Cat from having to go to boarding prison next week? I see he is aiming his body so he is breathing toward the west. Any of those other cats he corresponds with doing the same thing?
So far, the PCB weather report on weather.com is still looking good after Wednesday, when we will only be there later in the day since there's a really good chance we will stop for dinner Tuesday night and piddle to somewhere within 100 miles or so from the coast and grab a room for the night in one of those "close to the road" cookie cutter motels. Just somewhere for a snooze and a shower. No need to rush since we will be leaving late in the day.
We have learned the hard way that getting a room at 2:00AM at the beach when your condo isn't booked until the next day is not as easy as it sounds. Not that many of the fun ones have someone at the desk at that hour. That was when I discovered there might be hope for Tony as a runaway bag purrrson yet. When we didn't find a crash pad right away, his response was not to panic, but to say, "Well, there's always Waffle House." Good answer! *grin*
Those roadside things like Ramada, Holiday Inn Express, Comfort Inn, etc. are better bets for all night desk service.
Besides weather.com, I am keeping an eye on the blog at weatherbug.com.
They are the ones with the young storm tracking team I enjoyed following during Charley and Frances for a different sort of viewpoint. It concerned me when I noticed last night that they had moved their destination airport from Ft. Meyers to Tallahassee. Dern, they are planning to hang out in the northwest sector of the state.
Ah well, I have said that *I* am going if the Carrier guys go and the whole deal isn't cancelled. No good old boy is gonna call me a weenie. haha
Besides, if it doesn't *really* hit there and turns out more like TS Hannah was on this same trip two years ago, that is something I find interesting. Stormy days at the beach are actually quite beautiful and wild feeling. As long as you are not truly in harm's way.
We shall see. At least we are very blessed to have a choice in this matter. Those who live in whatever areas might be most affected are not so lucky. My thoughts and prayers are with them.
I am turning *THE* Cat to face and breathe the other direction just for good measure though.
Farron
[and one grumpy for being disturbed _^..^_ ]
August 13, 2004
Best Wishes to the Watchers
WeatherBug Blogs Hurricane Charley
Just want to send best wishes to those who have positioned themselves in *the path* to keep us all informed.
Tuning in to the Weather Channel and then checking this blog give different types of insight into what is happening on the west coast of Florida right now.
Our beloved spot on the panhandle seems to be out of harm's way this time, but the 2004 hurricane season is not over yet.
Talking about this blog with the human *Himself* at dinnertime last night and watching people boarding up with plywood and nails on television, reminded us that when we do [not if, when] get our beach place, really good storm shutters will be on our must have list.
Good thoughts and a little prayer are going out from the Nashville Cathouse to everyone in the area and our *fearless watcher/reporters.*
Good luck to all!
Farron
August 12, 2004
Hurricanes and Blogs
Ohhhhhh!
Did I ever spot a job I want today. Being sent to blog hurricanes.
I am so jealous of this kid I could spit! I wanna follow *Indiana Weather* [what I call that Jim Cantori guy from TWC] around and blog the whole dern thing. He always gets the best spots, and maybe I'd get that one ride with a hurricane spotter that I've been dying to take for years. Quite sure that one would be enough, but I would like to try it one time.
And what a great excuse that would be for an entire new set of highly mobile puter and camera toys! *smile*
Farron
[and That _^..^_ who knows I'm totally crazy]
December 31, 2003
Happy New Year!
2003 is coming to an end in less than 30 minutes. All the *old folk* have gone to bed except your fearless nite owl here who has pulled out the lil runt laptop and turned on her hero, Cartman. [grin]
I have decided that the school of dolphin who were giving us a show this morning must be a good sign for the coming year. Power of positive thinking.... Oh, IDEA!!! Wonder if I could convince everyone they were really sharks and the area is extremely dangerous???? Just think what that would do to property values for awhile! Now what WAS is that Ron said you need to doctor so that dolphins look like sharks? Was it the angle of the tail?? [wicked wink from badddd farron]
Think I will go pounce Tony in a very few minutes and drag him out to the beach. Fireworks have been popping off and on since dark [ours at about 9:30 ;-] and I am quite sure there will be a bit of a burst at midnight as 2004 rolls in.
Happy, Happy, Ya'll!!
Farron
December 30, 2003
Winter Beach Greetings
Salutations and greetings from Gulf Shores!
Just had to send out this wee bit of proof that I was still alive and acting totally out of character. Have been up with the birdies to watch the sunrise and the lappy has been collecting sand and dust. Hard to stay in when the sun is out.
The air is crisp and clear this morning. A bit of rain yesterday but now it has passed. Shorts some afternoons, sweaters mostly. Typical winter beach at the heart of the dearly loved Redneck Riviera.
Can't stay long to chat as I am off to find someone who will feed me shrimp for breakfast, but wanted to wish you all the happiest of moments as this year comes to an end and magical new beginnings to a brand new one!!!
Back to the beach....
Farron [temporarily sans _^..^_]
December 16, 2003
Christmas & Beach Stirrings
Is anyone else getting tired of the stir created by the holiday season? Presents to buy, wrapping the gifts, holiday parties, family coming out of the woodwork with plans?
I just realized I had not been here to ramble since before Thanksgiving. Shame on me!!!
Last year Tony and I decided to participate in only the absolutely required festivities and get ourselves to our favorite beach, Gulf Shores, AL. What a wonderful and relaxing week that was. Shrimp for Christmas dinner, beautiful sunsets and long quiet beach walks. Just us and the seabirds much of the time.
We must have advertised the wonders of a winter beach awfully well, because this year the entire family has decided it is the thing to do. Should be *interesting* to have six so called adults under the same roof for an extended period. It won't be quiet, that's the one thing that's more than a wee bit certain. lol
One of the stirs was making sure we had internet access. There is an over abundance of [gasp] AOL users in my family, and even they don't have access when you reach *the island* [area south of ICW on the beaches]. I know Earthlink has connections I could use within 5 miles, but not at the beach. GulfTel has had a lock on local and internet services for some time now. You buy service from them or do without. I often opt to do without and just enjoy the beach, but we will be there a little longer than ususal this time and there are some things in process on which I need to stay in the loop. I also may need the peace and quiet of cyberspace to maintain a bit of what I try to pass off as my sanity.
In my beginning to poke around in weather checks and local happenings, I ran across an article from the Mobile Register that was of interest to me.
It appears GulfTel is getting some competition. Wonder how far behind them the big boys can be? It's all the buzz on local beach info sites. Whatever happens, it will be worth watching. And my bet is that the GulfTel rates for visitors might drop in the near future. [smile]
Back to the day and to fussing over *THE* Cat before he has to be bundled off to that prison know as the V-E-T's boarding area. Bless his furry little head. Maybe I will go stay on the cat's sofa there to keep him company while the rest of the family hangs out at the beach.
Farron
[and one ticked off _^..^_]
September 17, 2003
Update on the Shoe Saga
We are back in good old land locked Tennessee now. *sniff, sniff*
At least the weather is lovely, so that makes it less disgusting to return to life away from the sea. [Is there really such a thing? ;^]
I realized I never updated the tale of The Shoe. The day after I took that photo, the staff was madly cleaning for the anticipated weekend beach crowd. I checked the railing and The Shoe was GONE! My guess was the paid cleaners and straighteners had captured her and evicted her from her home with a view.
Ahhhh, but something drew my eye to the lush plants on the ground below the spot where she had been basking in the sun. Can you guess who was hiding safely behind a clump of dense foliage? Our little friend, The Shoe!
My guess is that she has learned to hide from the weekend *busy-ness* safely under the bushes and will return to her sunny spot when the crowds thin during the week. Sounds to me like there is a good dose of cat-ti-tude in that Shoe. And my conclusion now is that she is definitely a crafty escapee from a smelly footed mistress. Not a sad little abandoned persona at all.
I winked and smiled at her as I passed my last few days and kept her secret safe.
September 12, 2003
Parasailing... I did it!!!!!
Yippee! I just came in to grab sodas and my book and head back to a chair, but had to stop and say I finally tried the parasailing. WOW! I loved it. Purrrfect sport for the water ski hating woman like me. I wanna go again...longer, faster, higher...with dips!
My *insurance* was that Tony and I were in a double harness. He was is eeezzz swatting distance if I was terrified or hated it. [grin]
No, there are NOOO pictures. And Butzi, aka Ms. OSHA...you do it barefoot! lol
Back to daBeach!
Case of The Abandoned Shoe
Who abandoned this poor little shoe? It appears to be more than a little weathered, but it does not seem to be lonely. The plants have taken pity and begun to embrace it. I suppose its previous mistress could have picked a less pleasant place to leave it than on the edge of the sand & sea. But then again, purrrrhaps she had smelly feet and it simply ran away? So was it liberated or abandoned?? I will have to visit it again tomorrow with the hope that it will break its silence and share the story of how it came to live in such a wonderful spot.
LOL! I have been looking at this shoe for two days now. It reminded me of an *abandoned shoe* shot that I have from Center Hill Lake in Tennessee. I have decided now that I should travel the world in search of shoes abandoned by water to photograph.
As I was shooting this, Tony was standing behind me not paying too much attention as he is used to my odd tastes & ideas. A woman walked by. She was heard to say, "WHAT is she photographing?? A SHOE??!!" Can't you just hear the tone of that comment?
Ahhh, some people have no imagination. [smug smirk]
Farron
[live from Panama City Beach: Sept, 2003]
September 11, 2003
Too Addicted to Connectivity?
Greetings from the sunny Emerald Coast! I love being on a beach and will snag any excuse to head to one.
We arrived yesterday evening, still in the "at home" flutter and flurry. All the usual stirring and fussing occurred when first, Tony's cellphone would not pick up a signal, then I had problems getting a connection on my poor old *Runt* lappie. You would think we wouldn't give a flip about these things when at the beach, but oh no, we have *business* to tend...from the beach. There is something wrong with this picture. lol
All is well now. Tony is up and running...just not inside the hotel room. Has to step out on the balcony. As do many others from what I can see when spying on the other guests with cell to ear [or glaring at it] on other balconies. And I have a whopping 28.8k max connection...but it will do. As soon as I knew it was working properly this morning and not charging me outrageous hotel long distance rates to use it, I was such a happy camper, I shut the thing down and ignored it and the things I had needed to do. Went for a walk on the beach and a dip in the pool followed by flapping out with a junk book under the semi-shade of a palm tree on the pool deck. Ahhhh, that's more like it.
The first night we were here, we saw two types of critters I had never seen in the flesh before. Baby Manta Rays [these were only about 2 feet in "wing span" and may actually be a different variety, but they certainly look like mini-mantas] which seem to be migrating in mass through the area, and a hummingbird moth which I had never even heard of until recently when I was checking for information on real hummingbirds and ran across a comment about them A moth that looks much like a mini-hummer. Kewl! And the baby Mantas a so sleek and elegant in their manner of stealth swimming. [No, they are not the kind that sting....those are sting rays and we have seen a couple of those in the area in the past.]
I have now gotten so laid back that the camera has not even come out of it's case.
If you are interested, here is a link to some photos someone else has of full grown Manta Rays and a photo of a hummingbird moth. [Hope that monster link for the little moth works....]
I may try to catch one or both in a photo of my own, but since they are creatures of the evening, and I am [as some of you know] not at my best with night shots, the prospects are not great that there will be interesting results. But I am ever hopeful. [smile]
Ahhh, and you should see Mars & the full, golden Moon over the Gulf of Mexico. What a beautiful sight!!!
Sweet dreams,
Farron
[at the beach while THE Cat is trapped in vet boarding...oh dear, punishment is sure to follow]