We don't mind secular posts, nor the opposite. Personally, I don't mind Topman's posts, either, but I do feel sorry for someone who is so unhappy. Always looking to not just "stir the pot" but unload his unhappiness on others. Oh, well. Life is full of miserable people who like to be abusive. And lately, life is full of hurricanes. What's one to do? Crawl in a hole?

None of these weather "events" are fun. Since moving back to North Carolina 13 years ago, the weather patterns have been positively freakish!!! We've had Hurricane Fran, also an unbelievable snowstorm (for this area!) of 25" of snow (in an area totally unprepared for it), and an unreal ice storm a couple of years ago that knocked out power and services for days and days!!! The hurricane was, by far, the worst for the most people!!! Personally, the ice storm did more damage to our property, and left us without power longer. But the morning after Hurricane Fran came through, we stepped outside and it was like a war zone! Trees sticking out of roofs, cars smashed by flying debri, people walking around in a daze. I am more afraid of hurricanes than anything else.........

By the way, one thing that people often mention in their discussion of why they live in an area that might be subject to hurricanes:

With hurricanes you have warning. There is no reason to be killed in a hurricane if you follow normal precautions. This cannot be said for earthquakes, tornados, and even floods, not to mention terrorist attacks and other disasters. Maybe there's something more safe about a hurricane prone area than most other areas of the country.

Friends in New York told me that they had flooding all over the city yesterday and particularly in the subways. One said it was left-overs from Frances, another said it was a nor'easter. Don't know which is true but it sounds like lots of looney weather out there this year.

Are you accusing me of being unhappy?

;-) ;-) ;-)

Don't worry, I'm happy.

Don't worry, be happy. That should be the motto of the day. I'm sooooo over being stressed out about hurricanes, this nation of ours, etc, etc. Gojacks, did you take your lithium? Or did you just get happy naturally?

No meds for this happy soul. But, there may be some bipolar folks here who might take offense to that statement.

Meds are a way of life, now. No offense intended. Lithium has been a life-saver for bipolar disorder, whereas the old alternatives (thorazine and electro-shock) were a mess and made the patient worse.

Leona, did it hurt when you hit your head?

You don't have to be on the coast or in Florida to be sacked by a hurricane.

If you read the news, Frances did horrible damage to Atlanta and if my grade school geography memory serves me correct, Atlanta is about 300 miles from any coast.

Please think.

I am surprised that no one has mentioned global warming especially after the movie, Day After Tomorrow.

Global warming? It was the coldest summer preceded by a frigid winter in the northeast. Maybe no one mentioned it because it was a MOVIE.

Wow...what a thread...

Does anyone KNOW how hurricanes get their names? Is it boy, girl, boy, girl too?

...wrath of God, act of God, natural disaster...keep thinking and praying...

So, with this major heat wave in California...what say yee?

Leona et. al.--Bless your hearts!

Should I sue my parents for making me move to FL when I was six months old?

As of right now, the Keys are being evacuated..many computer models show it coming to west coast of FL. MY DH is soooo nervous he went to the local Philly cheeese steak place and is getting a big cheese steak with frys!!! He says he deserves this comfort food now. Personally I am scared ####less! Judy

Judy:

Pray...do not be afraid. Have faith!

Judy I can relate to your husband. I ate my way through Charlie and Frances.

Not only is this physically draining but it is emotionally draining.

This hurricane season is sucking the life out of me.

We just got our power restored around 11:00am. It was out for 4 days. Just in time to see that we might take a direct hit from Ivan.
By the way...I am a 5th generation Floridian...who do I sue!

It's truly saddening when people start posting in a political way re. these hurricanes!
My thoughts and prayers may be different than some others thoughts and prayers, but I do pray that no one is hurt by Ivan, in Florida or the Carribbean. It's just unbelievable to think there could be 3 in a row.
Keep it non-political.

Scoff at global warming if you like, but will we ignore the evidence until it is too late? Check out this month's National Geographic on Global warming. Here is an excerpt from the web site:

"Scientists who assess the planet's health see indisputable evidence that Earth has been getting warmer, in some cases rapidly. Most believe that human activity, in particular the burning of fossil fuels and the resulting buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, have influenced this warming trend. In the past decade scientists have documented record-high average annual surface temperatures and have been observing other signs of change all over the planet: in the distribution of ice, and in the salinity, levels, and temperatures of the oceans."

http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/...re2/index.html