The power on our island has been restored and the internet is back. So we have left our hosts in Punta Gorda and have come home. The biggest project since being here is to clean out the refrigerator which almost left on its own steam because it was f’g alive. It took me 3 – 4 hours to toss spoiled food and scrub it clean but we can’t keep it because mold and maggot debris is in its inner workings. Today Ed and I went to Home Depot and bought a new fridge. It won’t be delivered until November 2 or so. Meanwhile, we can keep things cold but can’t use the door with its drinking option for water or ice. Also all food must be super sealed. So we stopped at our main supermarket. I bought 3 cartons of drinking water and a bag of ice.

Left lingering at home was my bed (which I use as a desk) with bills on it that we picked up from the local post office. Our mailbox was in the wind but has been sort of restored. And the interior must be scrubbed out. Now I have to put the bills aside aside so I can sleep. I am too tired to pay them now. The water company has been lovely in not charging for water until January. This is so important for a lot of people who lost so much. Some houses were totally destroyed. Others have severe roof damage. When you drive down our street you have to be sure not to engage the debris piled outside of houses. It sticks out into the road.

I unpacked two suitcases and found my checkbook and register which was a great relief to Edward. I have nowhere to hang the clothes we packed because our closets are over-used. Don’t ask where they were before. Mysteries are me.I checked my landline phone for messages and was told there are 36. I have listened to a quarter of them and have to continue to get them and write down the numbers, etc. I had to stop for dinner. The house is a glorious mess and I am still working on it.

xx, Teal