Giving Thanks - 2017

Thanksgiving 2017 is less than a week away, and this year I have many reasons to give thanks.

This year I survived 2 cat 5 hurricanes... first Irma in early September, followed two weeks later by her much meaner sister Maria.  Lessons learned during Irma carried forth to Maria.  Storm shutters stayed up (finally taken down 10 days ago).... power went down 9/19 and was finally restored at home on 11/15.  Before that we had running water - one can survive nicely with running water, flashlights and a daily ice run for the 10 pound bag of ice that kept minimal food supplies and drinks chilled in portable coolers.

I was blessed that my condo (concrete roof) had minimal water damage, and my car -- sitting unprotected in the open parking lot -- came through without a scratch.

It was the people who made recovery possible and bearable... the strangers with smiles who said "good morning, how did you make out?" as we waited in endless lines for ice, laundry use, gas, banking, entry into storm damaged stores to purchase what few goods remained.  (Cash only, no credit cards, no checks... hurricane survivor tip:  have CASH on hand, hit the ATM before the storm, afterward there will be no power, no internet.)

This is definitely a year for giving thanks... and I do.

Penny Pincher