Literally. All is calm, and there’s this eerie atmosphere lingering in the area.

I’m writing this around midnight, anxiously waiting to see what #HurricaneIan decides to do. So far, all we’re hearing is that it’s going to be bad… As I’m writing, I get a notification that it just reached category 2, posing to reach category 4 by the time it gets here… Yeah, that’s not good news, and yes, I’m terrified.

Even if we’ve been in this state for almost 3 years now, we still haven’t experienced a hurricane (not that I want to!). Each year we’ve had one coming straight for us our city, only to veer off last minute… oh the joy and relief we felt…

The reality of living in Florida is that there is the possibility of frequently dealing with tropical storms, tornadoes, hurricanes, flooding, etc. Just like living in California means dealing with wildfires, earthquakes, extreme droughts, etc… Or whatever typical natural disasters other states in this country experience. Because each state comes with its own set of disasters.

But back to Ian… I keep thinking and praying that now is a good time for the supernatural to get to work…

Spoiler, the above linked article was posted in 2021. Indeed, the one most vivid in my mind, hurricane Elsa, was headed for Tampa Bay. Once here, it was downgraded to a tropical storm, bringing lighter rain and wind than a typical Floridian summer storm. Call that whatever, but it sure felt supernatural as I remember that night clearly… And if you’re wondering, yes, we have visited the burial mounds, and I made sure to thank the spirits for protecting us… however that may sound…

Even if many people here are confident about this [coincidence?] that has now become a local legend, we are cautious, and do our due diligence to prepare each time (I urge you to do the same)… I’d rather be prepared than taken by surprise… And now we wait… and hope that the superstitions once again hold.

Stay safe and take care, friends!

xo,

Em