The Calm Before

Isaac is on his way. Currently, there is a hurricane warning from the keys up to Bonita Beach which is about twenty miles south of us. We have a tropical storm watch notice.

Yesterday was perfect. Warm, sunny, high broken clouds. No humidity. In other words, a tease. While still warm and dry, today is heavily overcast with high, thick clouds thinning slightly to the north. Under that cover lurks a bank of cumulus covering most of the southern horizon. These clouds are not Isaac but are being pushed ahead of the storm as it nears. Wind is gentle from the west. Water in our numerous canals is slightly roiled.

Isaac is supposed to stay out to sea and become stronger as it passes us. That means probably less wind (first from the east, then south and, finally, west) but more rain as the cyclonic spin carries water to us from the Gulf without first passing over other land. Rain is scheduled to start sometime this evening and could last for two or three days. There will be flooding.

We have stocked up on canned goods (the kind that can be eaten directly from the tin in case the power goes off although I'll probably stick with the tuna as canned ravioli and packages of chicken 'n' dumplings in pasty "gravy" appeal only slightly more than cannibalism as menu options), bottled juices, bread and cat food (a necessity since I am confident the cat would have no compunction about considering either of us menu options if the need/opportunity arose). Our flashlights and emergency radio are crank operated so batteries are not an issue. We could use more peanut butter and I'll pick up another book from the library. I'll have to remember to do laundry tonight.

Odds are none of this will be necessary (except the laundry).