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September 25, 2004
Sponge-Bob Comments on the Florida Hurricane Season
An episode of Sponge-Bob Squarepants (could you guess I have a 6-year-old in the house) shows an anchor throwing competition between the inhabitants of Bikini Bottom. Each contestant throws an anchor, and the little fish judge runs around out in the field to avoid the anchor thrown. No matter where he runs the anchor falls on him. So with this season. Jeanne, by all rights should have been a distant memory of the tropical season that never so much as breathed on the United States. But no, it had to follow some weird perturbation of the atmosphere and go out of its way to make landfall in already storm-shocked East Central Florida.
You know, I guess it's kind of a privilege to witness a record season, but why couldn't it be a record season of Oyster recovery or of Pompano catch, or sea turtle recovery. I don't particularly like being in the middle of a meteorological high-water mark. (Pun intended.)
I ramble because I have time to wait and if I don't talk about it, I'll probably just internalize all the stress and let it cultivate over-producing acid cells.
Posted by Steven Riddle at September 25, 2004 8:17 AM
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Comments
Hang in there, Steven, We ARE praying! Don't forget to do that, too. And go out with Samuel and play while you wait...
Posted by: Katherine at September 25, 2004 9:53 AM
I keep praying too, for whatever that's worth. Peace.
Posted by: Thomas at September 25, 2004 11:25 AM
I have tried to stay in a state of denial about Jeanne. I have prayed that she would reverse engines and head East. I have refused to make preparations. However, as I sit here looking southeast, the clouds are moving in and the trees and bushes are doing quite a dance. I am afraid I am not going to be allowed to remain in ostrich mode. Dear God, watch over those who are in the path of the worst of the storm. Tuck them under your wing and protect their lives. I have a safe haven to which to repair and am about to make tracks.
Posted by: Jane at September 25, 2004 12:27 PM
Dear Steven,
Once more you are in my prayers. A story by Terry Mattingly on Catholic Exchange included the following:
" ... The altar missal includes a rich variety of 'Masses for Various Needs,' including prayers about the weather and harvests. The 'Procession for Averting Tempest' begins with church bells, a litany of the saints and the following:
"'Almighty and ever living God, spare us in our anxiety and take pity on us in our abasement, so that after the lightning in the skies and the force of the storm have calmed, even the very threat of tempest may be an occasion for us to offer You praise. Lord Jesus, Who uttered a word of command to the raging tempest of wind and sea and there came a great calm: hear the prayers of Your family.'
"Finally, the priest makes the sign of the cross and sprinkles the surroundings with holy water. At that point, quipped Wilson, 'I guess everyone assumes the crash position.'"
I believe the article also makes reference to the following "Prayer Book for the Hurricane and Tornade Season," compiled by an ELCA pastor:
http://members.aol.com/LiturgybyTLW1/Churches/Hurrican.html#Anticipation
Neil
Posted by: Neil at September 25, 2004 4:55 PM
Right about now I'd like to see Florida set a record for consecutive days of sunshine. About a 180 of them would do just fine.
Posted by: William Luse at September 25, 2004 5:58 PM
If you're having trouble cultivating those hyper-productive acid cells, I've got a few I can spare :-)
Posted by: Jack Perry at September 25, 2004 6:43 PM