I am blogging from my phone so I do not know what this post will look like when it’s published. On my street in Sewall’s Point, there is no power. Not for one second will I complain knowing what so many have lost on Florida’s southwest coast and around the state. Hurricane Ian has only just begun to tell his story. We all will be living with his impact for years.
From the bottom of my heart I am wishing those who are suffering comfort. “West Coasters” are indeed our brothers and sisters. In 2013 when the River Movement was rising from the filth and black waters of the St Lucie and Caloosahatchee’s “Lost Summer” we met at the Sugarland Rally in Clewiston. East & West met to bind for the fight against polluting discharges from Lake Okeechobee, and we indeed planted seeds that inspired a youth movement, and changed water policy and politics throughout the state of Florida. Our influence grew with each terrible event- 2013, 2016, 2018. Over time, this east/west partnership became much, much, more, and yes, like every family, we’ve had our challenges, our problems. The ACOE’s LOSOM, the most recent challenge, publicly pitted us against each other for over three years, but we finally found a fair center for ourselves and others.
The past couple of days, I’ve been thinking about SFWMD Chairman, Chauncey Goss who I sit next to every month at our governing board meetings. Chauncey’s family lives on Sanibel and his father worked to create the special low density, native character of the Island. May it be rebuilt in the same nature respecting spirit.
As we all know, all we have can be taken from us, thus all we really have is that within us. May we be good neighbors to those left in Ian’s path, as it is not just them, we are all forever changed.
Miami Herald, 9-29-22: https://apple.news/AT8SaoFURQCCE0xkfbO0dvg
Jacqui – thank you so much for your east-west kinship. On Sanibel, we are experiencing tremendous loss of our sanctuary home there. I was reminded of this last night when a great horned owl woke me up hooting somewhere outside. I believe our way of life, embracing nature as stewards, will stand the test of time in the face of all things opposed to it. I hope you and your husband and kids recover from your hardships now, and look forward to meeting you both.
John and Frannie Franc
Frannie & Frank I look forward to meeting you as well. I hope the great horned owl and all God’s creatures recover within your beautiful sanctuary of Sanibel.
Always! 🙂
Was that Ed’s photo of the storm Jacquie???
Not quite. We can’t get that high up yet. NOAA provided that image.
Thanks, very well said Jackie! Our winter home is at the Southern tip of Pine Island in St
James City. Yes the devastation is shocking and far far worse than Charlie. We will recover and refocus on clean water once again.
Jacqui… your phone blog post looked great and formatted just fine on computer and mobile, thank you for the updates, always. Rocky Point on the east side of Manatee Pocket seems to have had a small tornado roll through around 4am Thursday… we lost four transformers, lines down, small fires… but, like you, no complaints. Fire and FPL crews were great and fast… out for less than 24 hours. We were fortunate here on the east coast.
Sorry I missed this. Ed and I were away for October. I hope all is now OK.
Beautifully said, and so true.