Ocala Wore its Hurricane Repellent Today

Overnight, Fay went from the west coast to the east and is headed back north, completely going around us. After school closings, changing work arrangements, buying emergency supplies (matches, batteries, beer, etc.) it turns out, we have pretty sunny skies right now. Ocala wore its hurricane repellent. A bit of a bummer too. Here's a secret every Floridian knows, but you almost never hear about. Hurricanes can be a bit of fun. Our version of a snow day. Now, by all means, you need to take all necessary precautions and always leave if the authorites recommend it. But once you are hunkered in, off from work, house full of non-perishable snack food, and no electric, what are you going to do but have a party? It also makes a bit of sense. When you have bunch people you can pool your supplies and take care of your friends who's living conditions may not be so favorable (aka mobile homes). In the '04 storms, we hung out in our garages and barbequed with neighbors - kegs going up and down the street from one house to another. But the real parties where in college. In Tallahassee, which was more prone to flooding and had actual hills, one hurricane party featured drunken party goers riding plastic garbage cans down the flooded street. Ahhhh, those were the days. Anyway, if you have suffered from hurricane damage, I don't mean to make light of it. I just wanted to post the other side of hurricanes you don't often hear about. Do you want to plan your own party? Check this out. (Really, a gas powered blender. How genius is that?)