LMF< my neighbors tree fell through his neighbors swimming pool screen. I'm glad I decided not to cage mine when I built it.

I miss the great bargains and good taste of the Ruskin area tomatoes. The good news here is that the Plant City strawberry crops were not affected so we should be fine -- unless, of course, we get a freeze. And I just can't imagine Mother Nature would be so cruel after all we've been through.

I remember driving through the panhandle many years after a big one hit up there. You could see the trees had a very deliberate lean that just refused to go away -- and that will surely be the case with Punta Gorda and Pensacola.

Have conditions improved now in the hardest hit areas, like Captiva and Punta Gorda? It sounds like many areas have recovered.

Having driven to Sarasota on I-75 a couple of weeks ago -- through Punta Gorda area, I was surprised how many roofs still have blue tarps -- a real shortage of roofers and materials I suspect. The major tree damage will take years to recover -- and some places like Periwinkle on Sanibel will NEVER look the same.

I go to Sanibel frequently and it doesn't look bad to me now. I have adjusted to the absence of the pine canopy.

Captiva is another story. It still reminds me of pictures of Berlin after bombing in WWII. Many houses survived but they have lost their jungle cover. It is a bleak look in many areas but the businesses are open. South Seas Resort will not open for a year. They have still not gone to contract on many of the condos. I'm thinking that there is hope for spring break next year. LMF