Today is the first day we have seen the sun in well over a week.  Since pre-Fay.  I am house sitting and two little noses nuzzled me up early.  It was a cool breeze and a beautiful sun.  It is a beautiful day.  I guess you have to experience a storm to appreciate the sun.  I am thankful.

The after effects were minor.  With the constant onslaught of rain, the ground was soaked and trees have begun to topple al over town.  Last night one went down on my street burning every transformer down the street.  Talk about a firework display!  Sometime duting the night we had power restored.  I am grateful for the men who worked all night.  I thank God we got off so light! 

A section of chain link fence is minor.  I haven't looked at my roof to see if it bounced off it first!  It has been too wet.  Thanks for all the prayers.

This is the sustained winds we had all day.  There were wind gusts up to 50 mph.  The worst came through during the night.  We escaped the worst of it.  Some trees down and power lines.  We are now getting the rains from the back side and are still under threat of tornadoes.  No school again today.  I had no damage and am thankful for all the prayers. 

and she is in no hurry.  She stalled stationary off the coast all night, but the outer bands of rain and wind are reaching us now.  Putnam County's coordinates are 29 degree lat and 88 degree long.  Fay has consistently been 29degrees, that hasn't changed, she is just closing in.  She is just a tropical storm now, but will be moving slowing dumping a lot of rain.  We have had some pretty good wind gusts and the rain has picked up.  My electricity has started to flicker.  I live on higher ground, not a flood prone area, so if I lose electricity, know that I have food, water, lanterns and a grill.  Downed power lines and trees have caused thousands to be without electricity.  I will try to update later.  I feel your prayers, I am not alone.

Update.....Fay took her sweet time coming across land dumping lots of rain and spawning a  few tornadoes.  She didn't venture out into the Atlantic like they thought, she hugged our coasts.  The latest path shows her turned sharply south around Daytona, Flagler Beach (Candace) and then coming through the middle of Putnam county (me) and on toward Gainesville.  It was predicted to turn in at Jacksonville, but she stalled.  Schools are closed for shelters.  The worst they expect are wind gusts up to 50 mph, not sustained winds, lots of rain and bridges being closed.  Oh yeah...and tornadoes.  But, that could all change by nightfall.  Fay has broken all the rules and kinda flitted around making a name for herself.  That ususally slow down when they come over land...not Fay.  I will keep you posted.  (If I have power).

Well, while Fay is Island hopping and visiting our best beaches on the Atlantic coast, I have a lot of family in the areas that may  be affected.  I know most of you know I live in Florida, but not sure where.  Fay is predicted to enter the warm Atlantic long enough to become a category 1 hurricane.  Last I looked it was predicted to turn back and enter between St. Augustine and Jacksonville.  My daughter Angela lives in Jacksonville.  Candace lives with her dad near Flagler Beach on the coast.  Palm Coast.  Palatka, my home town is 30 miles from St. Augustine.  Danny lives about 45 mile futher inland toward Gainesville.  We have had heavy sporadic rain today and are now under a tornado watch.  But we all know that hurricanes are unpredicable.  Katrina was originally predicted to come through the middle of Putnam County, where I live.  It turned on a dime and headed for Linda Jane's territory.  I have ridden out one hurricane.  I was without power for nearly a month.  A tree went down between my house and my neighbors house and yanked our power mast and meter boxes right out of the house.  Yeah, get on a waiting list for an electrician, and then on a waiting list for the power company to come back and turn the power back on.  But, through all that  I only considered it a minor inconvenience compared to the people who lost much.  So, now you know where we all are.......keep an eye on the sky!

I had to run some errands, so I must have missed the first few slippery attempts.  Then it happened so fast I couldn't grab the camera.  And of course they didn't do it again, yet.  I will try to catch it.  They run across the screen and hurl theirselves at the feeder and fall to to the ground, thus knocking seeds with it.  It is a little slower process......but smart!  I wish I could have gotten it on film, they are fast.

Some people may perceive this as cruel...but Hal is right, I can't afford to feed that smart squirrel and all its friends.  I moved the feeder closer to the end of the roof and slathered it with crisco.  Don't know if it will work or not....but I am camera ready!  I'll keep you posted.

My birdfeeder was full of sunflower seeds and I would occassionally glimpse a cardinal in the mornings.  This morning I noticed that the bird feeder was nearly empty.  It had been full. 

Up the screen door....

Across the screen window...

Eyeing the prize

Making the leap!

Ahhh....just barely landed.

The rest of the story!

Back in Florida again.  The flight was a little rough as it has stormed here today and had tornado watches.  Angela picked me up at the airport.  When I got home I was too tired to go to the grocery store.  I didn't have a protective aunt making sure I ate my tomatoes and cottage cheese and cucumbers.  But, my neighbor called me and invited me for a bowl of soup.  My other choice was the nuts Vickie packed as a snack.  The soup was great and we had a chance to catch up.  I will save my snack for work for lunch.  Then I'll go to the grocery store. Please pray for Michelle and her family.  Her dad has serious althzeimers and is a great concern to her.  I didn't want to leave yet, I wanted to be there for my family, but I am glad I got to go.  Please keep Vickie and family in your prayers as she still has much to deal with.   \

As far as my arm goes, no such luck.  It blistered and is peeling and feels a little rough. It is undergoing a second peeling (like a bad sunburn).  Just have to watch it for infection.  I have lost my taste for oatmeal!

It was good to see some of my wonderful aunts and uncles from Hope and LA, even under such circumstances.  I sure do miss seeing them. 

A special thanks to LJ, Mom and Re....they pulled off a few miracle meals.  Yummm.  And lets not forget Hannah and the Bowlin boys.  They were great with the kids.  And Randal was always handy with a towell when an entire glass got knocked over...very calmly (3 times)!.  You are a good guy bro!  Katie, Shanna, Danielle and Savannah pulled through with kid care.  It was great seeing Jimbo and Audra.  They will be in Nawlins way too soon.  I know I have forgotten someone.  Kevin, Gabby, Wendy....and assorted helpers.  It takes a village!!!  Thanks again Mom, and Vickie, you are close to my heart and prayers.  Love to all.  I know this is just rambling, but it is from the heart.

Love to all

If you want to see some greatpictures go to RyMoHannah.   She has some awesome shots.