An update to my earlier post. My parents, who live in Palm Beach County, got power restored at 10:30pm. After 9 days of cold showers (yes, grateful to have water), and meals delivered by the Red Cross, the lights have come on.

I know, there’s worse hardship. Their home is undamaged, they are well, they have water to drink and food to eat. But as I said earlier, there is no reason for this. Having power lines dangling in the breeze is insane in a place like Florida. It’s a dumb idea in most places, but that’s another story. Power lines belong underground. The loss of productivity, school closing, and hardship on people–many are elderly with medical problems–is uncalled for. And mostly preventable.

But amen, and thank you Lord, for lighting Florida once again.

Not a wave in sight. Or a rain drop. No tropical depressions, storms or hurricanes are currently on the radar. In fact, it is all clear on the Atlantic front.

But there are still 29 days to go before the official end of the hurricane season, and the way this season has been gone, it would not be surprising to have the first category 5 storm to develop in November. Right now, though, there is a state of calm.

However, in Florida, about 670,000 people still lack power. Is that incredible or what? My parents happen to be some of those lucky people in Palm Beach County who lack power. They are fortunate in that their area isn’t prone to flooding, and they are several miles from the coast so they are fairly safe from a storm surge–so we count our blessings for that. But last year, they lost power for almost two weeks.

From the Palm Beach Post

As of 1 p.m. today, 171,900 customers in Palm Beach County were still without power. In Martin County, 7,400 customers remained in the dark, while to the north in St. Lucie County, just 2,700 customers were still without power.

In Broward County, 292,700 homes and businesses had no electricity, and the same was true for 205,900 customers in Miami-Dade County.

Power has been restored in Okeechobee and Indian River counties.

Florida has been hit with seven hurricanes in the past 14 months. And aside from hurricanes, power goes out on a regular basis. I don’t know how many times I’ve been at my parents house, and wake up in the morning to see the clocks blinking. Sometimes the power outtages are only for a few seconds, sometimes for a few minutes. Sometimes longer if it’s stormy. There is no excuse for it. In an area as storm prone as Florida, and the lightening capitol to boot, the power lines should all be underground.

But Florida Power and Light says that it will be “too expensive” to do that. I can’t imagine that they’re saving money by constantly having to repair downed lines. Right now they have over 18,000 workers, including crews from 33 states and Canada, working to restore power. I’m assuming that they’re paying these people as well.

I am supposed to be going to Florida on the 9th. But if there’s still no power, I’ll have to cancel the plans. I should send whatever money I have to pay to change my flight to FPL.

Okay, so I’m a day late. I meant to post this last night but I was out trick or treating and riding on my broomstick.

I was actually surprised to find so few people dressed up yesterday. On past Halloweens, personnel working in stores have always been costumed to the hilt. I went to three different stores early yesterday afternoon, and while some customers were in costume, very few of the workers were.

I didn’t dress up, but I bought a pair of really cute orange and black socks with pumpkin faces, and rolled up my pants so you could see them. And wore a black sweater which went well with my orange jacket.

So belated wishes for a happy Halloween.