LEZLIE'S BIG ADVENTURE

There comes a time in our lives that we need to be closer to family. I have no family in Key West, most are in Texas. I made the decision to move closer to them, so that began the big adventure. The culling of stuff I could live without or easily replace began. I wanted this to be as easy a move as possible, and the cheapest too. 

My Explorer has been running okay, my concern was for the boat trailer. The wheel bearings on one side were replace back in February, but the other side needed to be replaced for sure. I have used Hitch King for the original rebuild and then the new bearing. So I took off the hub and drove to the last location of the business. All I found was an empty lot and a FOR RENT sign on the fence. Not going to lie… I had a moment of panic. Pulling out my phone, I quickly looked up the business and found PERMANENTLY CLOSED in red by the listing. I am really in a panic now! Hopeful someone would answer, I clicked on the phone number next to CLOSED… and someone answered and all was right in my world again. I drove to the new location and the guy replaced the bearings, and gave me an extra cap. I asked how much I owed him and he replied, “Five dollars”. I thought I misunderstood, and asked again. He said, “Did you think it would be more?” I didn’t want him to know the previous owner of the business charged $50 for the same thing. I handed him the five dollars and quickly left before he decided he hadn’t charged enough. The hub and wheel was replaced, the spare was aired up, and the trailer was ready to roll.

The next week of so was constant pack, throw away, take to Salvation Army or put on the curb. On December 1, I pulled out and drove out of Key West. The traffic was not heavy until I reached Orlando. Our average speed was about 20mph for it seemed like an eternity. When I reached a rest stop just outside of Lake City, Florida, I pulled in. It was getting later, and I couldn’t creep along anymore. My Explorer and trailer were handling the all day drive just fine…. I thought. But wait...there's more. Stay turned for the next episode of Lezlie's Big Adventure!

BIG CHANGES!

I am leaving The Keys! I know... why would I leave this!

I've given notice at work and the landlord too. I'm on the move again. Texas is calling my name. The next four weeks will be busy. But, I will be home for Christmas! Mother is excited!

I love my job and I love Key West, but life has it's twists and turns and you must learn to be adaptable.  Once again, the purge has begun. If I haven't used it in the last 6 -12 months, I don't need it. It will be cheaper to replace it than haul it 1400 miles to West Texas. Most things I own have a memory attached to it. Some will be gladly kicked to the curb, others are being carefully packed away, and yet others sold. I have already made enough to buy the gas for the move... I think.

JACK OF ALL TRADES...

I'm learning another trade, I will not be a master of.... cutting glass. All the YouTube videos make it look simple. Well, it is easy to get the glass to break, but getting it to break exactly like you want, not simple.

Learning what NOT to do has been mostly what I've learned. My last lesson; don't forget to take the cap off a bottle before you dunk into hot water and then cold water. It made a big noise, and many pieces of glass. Lesson learned.

Luckily, I live in a community that likes alcohol. Bottles are not in short supply. When I see products in glass containers, I look at the glass more than the what's in it, and think to myself, "what could I make out of that bottle". There are many shapes, sizes and colors. You can etch or paint a design to make it unique.

I needed something to hold my larger kitchen utensils...

I needed something to hold my paint brushes.....

I now have more drinking glasses than I could ever possibly use. But they are different sizes and colors. But I do still want a Carlo Rossi jug. I think it would make a nice serving bowl, don't you?

These two are 3.5", and make a good juice glass.

NAMING HURRICANES

Do you know how hurricanes are named? Six lists of hurricane names have been created for the major ocean basins around the world, and they rotate one each year. Up until 1978, this was a list that contained only female names. Since then, they alternate male and female. Names of hurricanes that are particularly damaging are retired, and replaced. Harvey was replaced with Harold, Irma with Idalia and Maria with Margot.
If you would like to see the list of names, click here.

Unless Dorian turns southward, Key West will not see much weather from the hurricane. We could get some scattered rain and wind, but nothing that will keep me from going to work on Monday. What that means is, I do not get a three day weekend! If anything changes, I will let you know.

WATCHING DORIAN

AUGUST 29, 2019
As many of you know, I live on an island and work at a hardware store. With the threat of a hurricane, comes the panic to prepare for it. It's not known exactly where Hurricane Dorian will go, but it's possible that we will get some weather. The memory of Hurricane IRMA is fresh in our minds, with many vacant lots and a few blue tarps still on roofs.

Today was the day everyone decided it was time to start preparing, just in case. First it was the gas cans flying off the shelf. We have only a handful of one gallon cans left. Generators were very popular this afternoon, with only 3 or 4 left. I'm guessing the hurricane shutters will be the topic of tomorrow.

What are my plans? How have I prepared for a possible hurricane? I treat it like camping, and prepare accordingly. My pantry is full of canned food. I have plenty of water. I have a Luci light which does not need batteries, and I have a combination flashlight/radio/charger that is powered by crank. Again not needing batteries. The only thing I didn't acquire since IRMA is a battery operated fan. I just didn't want to spend the money. Next time the power is out for an extended period of time, I will probably regret that decision.

So, the watch continues, and the murmurs of "Will you evacuate?" are heard. And the answer is NO.

DORIAN

It's storm watching season again. Dorian is out there, and everyone is guessing which way she will go. Will she fizzle or grow into a hurricane? Time will tell.

My gas tank is almost empty, so I will be heading to the gas station to fill up on my way home after work. My pantry is full of canned food, I have my crank radio/flashlight/charger handy, and no I will not leave for a hurricane. So all you people that got mad at me for not leaving for IRMA, I don't want to hear it again. Hopefully, we will not experience a hurricane this year, but in case we do, I will be prepared, and keep everyone updated.

GREEN IGUANA

Dale holding Gomez.

Back in 2010, I traveled to Belize and was introduced to the Iguana. I even visited an iguana hatchery that was established because the population was dwindling due to the use as a food source. They were a very cool looking animal and I enjoyed learning about them, even got to hold one.

Fast forward three years. I relocated to Key West, Florida. Green Iguanas live here too. When you live with them in your backyard, your attitude toward them changes drastically. They are messy and destructive. All they do is eat and poop. They eat all your beautiful flower and poop them back out on your porch. Disgusting. 

They have become so bad, the FWC and the state of Florida has waged war on them. They now encourage homeowner to humanely kill green iguanas on their property. Iguanas have no natural enemy, so the population is exploding.

Yes, you can eat them, but after watching a YouTube video on how to clean one, it just seemed like a lot of work for very little meat. Someone even wrote a cookbook for preparing a meal with iguana meat. I think I will pass. However, if someone else caught, killed, dressed and cooked one, I would eat it! 

There might be a market for the skin... wallets, belts, boots? That might be an interesting new venture!

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