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I’d just like to share the joy (not to mention the relief!) I felt when I opened my “snail-mail” box Friday afternoon and found a (hand-written!) letter from smith!
Although Hurricane Charley staged pretty much a direct hit on them, he and his family survived it just fine (“It came right directly through here,” he wrote; “Guess we called it wrong.”). While their house remained intact, part of their barn did sustain some damage (although not bad enough to affect their animals, so it would seem; at least, he made no mention of them, so I guess they all survived, too). The storm did, however, do a number on the oak trees around their house (ripped most of them right out of the ground!), so they spent the first day after the storm clearing a path to the road. They are still without power, phone service and water, and the weather has been beastly hot (smith says he cleans up by jumping in the pond with the alligators!); and the word remains that it will be a good three weeks before it’s all restored. All things considered, though, they were obviously quite fortunate, considering how smith described the general destruction as looking something like Iraq. I’m sure he’ll be passing along further accounts of his experience with this storm when he’s back online (he did say he took some pictures, which hopefully he’ll be able to post). Suffice it to say here, judging from what he said in his letter, the pictures we’ve seen on TV don’t even begin to tell the story.
He ended his letter by sending his love, reminding that it will be a while before we see him online again; but until then, he said most emphatically, “No worries!” Although his letter has greatly alleviated those worries, seeing him online and back with us will be the only thing that will make those worries completely disappear.
Hurry back, smith!
We do not remember days...we remember moments.
Cesare Pavese
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e
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On fire! |
Location: currently So Cal
Registered: May 2002
Messages: 1179
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It is certainly good to hear that smith and his family are alright. though I must say that hearing that he is bathing with gators is a bit worrisome.
Think good thoughts,
e
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I hear you, e!
But when you have temperatures in the upper 90's F with a heat index of over 110, you've been out wielding a chainsaw all day, and that's the only fresh water available for bathing, then you certainly can't be blamed for casting all caution to the winds (even when it's a hurricane!).
We do not remember days...we remember moments.
Cesare Pavese
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blue
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Likes it here |
Registered: August 2004
Messages: 131
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Those gators had better be scared! ;-D Wrassle 'em, you'll see crocodile tears! (Gator sandwich, anyone? Hehehe!)
Hang in there, smith! -- Sorry 'bout the barn, trees, etc. Hope the animals are all OK. As long as you and the family are alright, that's what matters.
(See my reply in the earlier thread.)
High temps, high humidity, and not enough breeze are all common after a hurricane.
Whoa, Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore.
Sigh. Back in high school, a good friend moved back to FL. Wish I'd gotten up the courage to tell him I'd like to go fishing for his pole. (Wow, Blue actually made his first gay-innuendo joke!) -- Wherever R. is now, I hope he's happy, straight or otherwise.
~Blue
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TygerBoiSammy
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Toe is in the water |
Registered: January 1970
Messages: 57
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Oh thank god. I know Robby lives on the other side of Florida from where the storm hit, but it could just as easily have been any of our friends that live there. I'm so glad to hear that smith's okay. He's been nothing but friendly and kind to me since I met him. If you ever read this, smith, we all love you very much. Don't scare us like that again, kay?
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timmy
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Has no life at all |
Location: UK, in Devon
Registered: February 2003
Messages: 13800
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Got an e-note from smith last night. Either services are restored or he found somewhere to say "hi" from.
Author of Queer Me! Halfway Between Flying and Crying - the true story of life for a gay boy in the Swinging Sixties in a British all male Public School
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thank you Ron. I for one can breathe easier now. Sounds like a horrendous experience to go through! All we get here are earthquakes and volcanic eruptions!
Oliver
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timmy
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Has no life at all |
Location: UK, in Devon
Registered: February 2003
Messages: 13800
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I spent about 90 minutes chatting to smith last night.
He has power briefly in the evenings, though the towns do not. Too dangerous to connect it to the mess of power loines that are down.
He's asked me to conatct people personally, and I am also posting a short note.
He and his loved ones are all ok, but the heat is unbearable. Mossies are plaguing them.
He's exhausted, physically and emotionally, but fine in everythng that matters. We were kind of at a loss for words. He feels flat, pretty much. Surving and working on clearance, mail delivery and stuff. He's promised only to use power saws in the morning before he gets overtired.
And he sends a load of good thoughts to you all. For some of you I have perosnal messages. That will take a short while
Author of Queer Me! Halfway Between Flying and Crying - the true story of life for a gay boy in the Swinging Sixties in a British all male Public School
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blue
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Likes it here |
Registered: August 2004
Messages: 131
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That's good to hear! Keep up the good work, smith!
~Blue, inching slowly out of the closet....
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Ena
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Getting started |
Registered: January 2004
Messages: 23
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Please send him our love and good thoughts.
Is any one else (from this board) affected by the Hurricane?
regards
Ena
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A GatorGram from smith! 
