Maria - You Gotta Be Kiddin' Me

Living on an island makes you a subject of sand, sea and sky.  

Every once in a while this unholy trinity rears it's ugly head. 

We've lived in the Caribbean for almost six years with only slight brushes from hurricanes. They've nudged against St Thomas but haven't really landed.

When we moved to the island we kept hearing about Hurricane Marilyn in 1995. In 2011, the island was still smarting from that one. Marylin was still a ready topic of conversation.  

Marilyn had 105 mph sustained winds and devastated the island. Irma, this year, had 185 mph winds which stripped the island of vegetation and completely transforming the landscape.

Now Maria threatens with about 160 mph winds.  Two in one year stronger than Marilyn.  

Irma is still an open wound and her sister, Maria, is setting sites on the Leeward Islands with torrential rain and lashing winds. 

More people will lose their livelihoods, more properties will be destroyed and lives will be even more devastated.  

We're very lucky not to be on the island this season. We're waiting to hear what happens with Maria. She is a strong one and will come awfully close to the Virgin Islands; potentially right over St Thomas.

Reparation had just begun in earnest and now Maria crops up.  Two steps forward and one step back.  These sisters of 2017 are trying to make life even more difficult, flexing their muscles to show who's boss. 

We're gathering as much good karma as we can and sending it to the folks on the islands. It's gonna be another bumpy ride.  Please hunker down and stay safe.  

We're thinking of you.

This drawing has nothing to do with hurricanes. Just hope it makes you smile. It was a little French Bulldog we got to know briefly in Capileira Spain.

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