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So Monday, Fay blew in with a bang. The encounter, however, was relatively brief for the Lower Keys, particularly when compared to what Brevard County saw. The sea rose about two feet in Saddlebunch, the wind was amazing, but the rainfall wasn't much. By Tuesday evening, it was gone, and it's been sunny since. The breeze gradually died down, which brings us to today, with a more normal wind and relatively calm seas, back to their usual level. I suffered no damage that I know of, in my first Tropical Storm as an islander, and got a gift of a nice 10-12" spherical buoy that washed over my way. I left it afloat off my seawall for a few days to allow its rightful owner to claim it, but now it's mine, and with a market value of about $20, it's probably the nicest thing I've gotten for free (by way of salvage at least) in a long time.

Since the storm, displaced crabs (the storm destroys their mud holes or something) have been walking around in all the streets. They're even more common than the green iguanas lately. Most are only one fist in size, but some look almost big enough for the boilin' pot. But they're safe until October. Till then, I enjoy stopping and staring, to let them cross the road. 

And tonight I took this picture of a fine Hentz Striped Scorpion hanging out by the back porch. (Click here for the picture, I did it this way so the more squeamish reader doesn't have to see it). To clarify, outdoors : fine specimen, indoors : bastard must die. It's a fine line, but a necessary one. I'm getting a blacklight flashlight from eBay soon though to illuminate them at night, so we can stay out of each other's way more.

As weeks go, this one has been great, and Grace and I should make it back to Bahia Honda on Sunday, where I hope to demonstrate once more my prowess at failing to drown myself. I'm awfully proud of it.

Also almost forgot to mention, I saw my first waterspout, leaving Baby's one afternoon. I saw a utility truck parked on the shoulder of US-1, but didn't think much of it, because that sort of thing happens with regularity. Until I noticed him staring due north through a pair of binoculars, towards the Navy transmitter towers. And right there it was. I stopped and gawked for a few seconds too, but had to get back home before my frozen Key Lime Pie melted. They are truly amazing to see. I'll try and have a camera charged for the next one.

Why are we environmental nuts down here? Because you really don't have a choice here. If you don't get nature, nature gets you. 

-Chris