With a wife and 2 young kids in West Palm Beach, it's been a difficult couple of weeks. He's retaining his sense of humor, though -- sent me this today:

The new realities of life in the Hurricane State (formerly the Sunshine State):

1. An oak tree on the ground looks four times bigger than it did standing up

2. Even after all these years it is still nice to spend time with Colonel Mustard in the ballroom with the lead pipe.

3. When house hunting, look for closets with lots of leg room.

4. Water from the shower is much colder than water from the kitchen sink--- and tastes just as bad.

5. AA, C and D are the only alphabet we need (batteries)

6. The four-way stop is still an ingenious reflection of civility.

7. Radio can be the best way to watch television.

8. Chainsaw wielding men are nothing to be afraid of.

9. SUV's are the best makeshift tents on the market.

10. You can use your washing machine as a cooler.

11. It's your God given right to sit on your back porch and eat Chinese takeout by candlelight in your underwear.

12. We shouldn't complain about "useless" tools in the garage-- we actually DO need a generator.

13. You can't spell "priceless" without I-C-E.

14. Downed power lines make excellent security systems.

15. Lake Apopka can generate waves.

16. Gasoline is a value at any price

17. Cell phones: Breaking up isn't hard to do.

18. The life blood of any disaster recovery is COFFEE

19. The need for your dog to go out and take care of business is inversely proportional to the severity of the storm.

20. Candlelight is better than botox--- it takes years off your appearance.

21. Air Conditioning: BEST. INVENTION. EVER!!!!!!!!

22. Water is a comfort food. But, 3 day old Cheetos are too.

23. Shadow animals on the wall---Still fun!

24. No matter how hard the wind blows, roadside campaign signs will survive.

25. You should never admit to having power at your house in the presence of co-workers or neighbors who do not.

26. There's a plus to having NOTHING in the refrigerator.

27. Getting through the day should be an Olympic event.

28. The movie theater can be a most pleasant place, even if the feature is Alien vs. Predator

29. Somebody's got it worse.

30. Somebody's got it better. Obviously, they are getting preferential treatment.

I got that today from my daughter, here in Florida ... it helps to keep a sense of humour

#18 & #21 are me

Thanks for the laugh, Anonymous. I can relate to many of these.

Glad to hear that your nephew is getting his sense of humor back. At the rate this season is going, he'll need it. In all honesty, I hope things are getting easier for he and his family.

10. is an eye-opener. I would never think of it!

20. is something for me to remember for future use

Thanks for sharing, Anonymous, hope your son is safe.

Here is one our daughter sent to me yesterday...and we both live in SW FL. She got it from her Chicago girlfriend. It ALWAYS helps to have a sense of humor in these situations. Thanks for sharing yours.

Top Ten Reasons Hurricane Season is Like Christmas

10. Decorating the house (boarding up windows)
9. Dragging out boxes that haven't been used since last season (camping
gear, flashlights)
8. Last minute shopping in crowded stores
7. Regular TV shows pre-empted for "specials"
6. Family coming to stay with you
5. Family and friends from out-of-state calling
4. Buying food you don't normally buy ... and in large quantities
3. Days off from work
2. Candles
And the number one reason Hurricane Season is like Christmas ...
......... At some point you know you're going to have a tree in
your house

Nephew lives in a newer house built out of cinderblock, so the only physical damage they've sustained is one roof tile going through one screen. And one shrub uprooted.

What an experience it was last week, when they thought they might be evacuated and each family member had to gather up their most precious posessions and mementos to salvage. They learned a lot about each other and their own priorities.

Ohhhh the tree in the house is my big fear...we have over 20 of them all around the house.
Those are funny too..

My favorite is, if you live in a flood zone, take extra care if a hurricane is approaching. To find out if you live in a flood zone, look at your driver's license. If it says FL, you are in a flood zone!

They are all funny and thanks for the laughs!

Isn't it funny how it takes a disaster like a hurricane to remind you of what is important in life?

P.S. the bathtub also makes an excellent cooler. Even though there is no lid, bathrooms are so insulated it is impossible for ice to melt.

As Ivan was approaching:
http://home.comcast.net/~jandar187/f...an_cartoon.gif

FYI: an incredible video of a Panama City tornado passing over a news station as Ivan was about to make landfall:
http://media.graytvinc.com/video/tornado.wmv

I saw this sign outside a home that was demolished in Flordia.
1.Charley
2.Frances
3.Ivan.
4Sale
I dont blame the person one bit after watching all the news coverage of Ivan.My heart and prayers go out to all of those affected.
Mary

For those who are looking for real estate to buy in Florida, now's the time to do it. After major storms and flooding, people will not want to rebuild. Or they freakout and leave.