Chapter 29: Lori

As we approached the lake house, I wondered if Lori was feeling anxious and vulnerable. It was perfectly understandable that she would have some fear of this whole new arrangement.

I tired to console her. "Lori, we're a lot safer here than in Jacksonville during storm season. Jacksonville is near the ocean, and any kind of storm surge could be extremely dangerous. Tides could literally cover much of the city.

"Winter Haven is almost dead center in the state and is nearly the highest area above sea level in Florida. Storms have to travel from the Gulf or the Atlantic to hit here; they lose a lot of their punch once they travel over land.

"In 2004, three hurricanes battered through here. Power was out for about a month, and everything the wind could down, fell. The state was sea of blue tarps protecting damaged roofs for a long time.

My house is completely concrete. It even has a concrete roof to protect us if we get another battering hurricane. I have a lifetime supply of propane stored up to fuel the generators.

As I already said, I have a motor home. I'll live in it quite comfortably. You'll have the house.