Calm Waters

Calm, peaceful waters...  something people in the south have becomed unaccustomed to just lately... hurricane after hurricane is battering the southern states, and this ivan  may come close enough to batter us a bit---hours away from coastal waters. i, of course, will be anticipating his weakened arrival---storm freak that i am. i am feeling intense sadness for those on the coast, however. they are saying ivan is re-shaping the barrier islands of the florida panhandle as i type this. i rode up on mt. cheaha just before dark tonight, as the radar showed the outermost swirls over us. total whiteness up there, nothing but blowing clouds. you couldn't see your hand in front of your face, which made for a slow trek. the clouds swallowing the mountains (on the ride down) was beautiful, but it was pretty dark. don't know yet if those shots will be anything but blur. buckled in, folks...this could be a ride...

to those south of me, stay safe and hold tight to your loved ones. you are in my every thought.