Andrea I love your braided essay about climate change and jumping rope. I relate to your feelings about the climate emergency. Here in British Columbia, Canada, the threat is wildfires. “Numbers are rising.” Brilliant.
Central Floridian here. I grew up here after KY for the last 40 plus years. The patterns have shifted, even with the predictions of thunderstorms. I’ve been in a tornado as a kid in FL and watched hurricanes flood brand new developments in Volusia county- as if storms don’t count if you pay more than half a million per home?! And Gov Disastrous taking “climate change” out of government docs and school books will somehow magically make our property taxes go down and those calmer 6 months count more than all the devastation that can happen in the other 6? I have a love/hate relationship with this state- it’s unique beauty and stories, environment, no snow and ice, but full of wealthy developers who want to pave everything ultra rich tax dodgers, creepy religious cults and extremists, low pay for lots service workers who shoulder the weight of much of this state’s prosperity, etc. A couple of category 5’s that hit and stay long enough- central Florida would be like New Orleans was after Katrina to a certain extent. Some modern buildings would withstand the winds but many older homes and structures would be gone. But no- let’s fight a war on woke our governor says.
And the continued development in Miami is astonishing considering the flooding, sinking buildings, etc I love the museums when I have visited- despised the driving and traffic but central FL is its own circle of hell. The beach there, the culture, the food are so wonderful - but the flooding needs to be seriously addressed, not making developers a quick buck.
And I hate those noisy weather alerts ! I hope we have a calmer year and you and your family stay safe. And we somehow get a governor who will take climate change seriously.
Andrea, I whooped to see you featured in Sari Botton’s excellent recommendations. No wonder, great essay! So relatable this week with so-early and ominously huge Hurricane Beryl causing so much uncertainty, then flooding, this week for the Texas coast. We worried about loved ones possibly in the path and kept checking on them. The way you described your jumping routine and carried it through your memories and real concerns, counting on those fingers, relentless, focused, was so powerful! We can’t control everything but golly you ruled that session. Glad you bought a boat! Plus now I’m inspired to find a good rope and take up an old favorite activity.
With peace and love, I don’t think the jumping rope is helping. I used to struggle with irrational fear in the form of claustrophobia, so I understand how it can wreck you. My therapist helped me face and overcome irrational obsessive thoughts that were causing panic attacks. It’s possible to heal. Maybe study the actual charts of temperatures and occurrences of storms over the last century, which plainly show that we are at no increased risk. Seeing the truth in statistical format presented by scientists might help you. While the “climate crisis” is not real, it’s clear that your anxiety is very real. I have a family member who is equally obsessed with doomsday prepping. He is storing weapons, freeze-dried food, and live chickens all over his property. When this type of thinking is interfering with one’s quality of life, it’s time to get help. Not in the form of a blowup boat. Hope you’re feeling better soon.
Hi, Tracie. Thanks for chiming in. However, I discourage commenters from diagnosing contributors from their pieces, or disagreeing with their choices. This is just one person's experience and perspective on it.
I love the way you JUMPED back and forth between storms and counts. It was a perfect writing device to use here. Very powerful memoir.
Thank you!!! I don't usually use craft devices, but this time I did very deliberately. Thanks for noticing and for sharing!!!
Climate change is so real, so sad, and so terrifying. Appreciate your lovely and honest reflections.
Thank you for reading and commenting.
Andrea I love your braided essay about climate change and jumping rope. I relate to your feelings about the climate emergency. Here in British Columbia, Canada, the threat is wildfires. “Numbers are rising.” Brilliant.
It’s so scary. Thanks for sharing my essay. I hope you stay safe.
Likewise, Andrea. And my pleasure 💚
Central Floridian here. I grew up here after KY for the last 40 plus years. The patterns have shifted, even with the predictions of thunderstorms. I’ve been in a tornado as a kid in FL and watched hurricanes flood brand new developments in Volusia county- as if storms don’t count if you pay more than half a million per home?! And Gov Disastrous taking “climate change” out of government docs and school books will somehow magically make our property taxes go down and those calmer 6 months count more than all the devastation that can happen in the other 6? I have a love/hate relationship with this state- it’s unique beauty and stories, environment, no snow and ice, but full of wealthy developers who want to pave everything ultra rich tax dodgers, creepy religious cults and extremists, low pay for lots service workers who shoulder the weight of much of this state’s prosperity, etc. A couple of category 5’s that hit and stay long enough- central Florida would be like New Orleans was after Katrina to a certain extent. Some modern buildings would withstand the winds but many older homes and structures would be gone. But no- let’s fight a war on woke our governor says.
And the continued development in Miami is astonishing considering the flooding, sinking buildings, etc I love the museums when I have visited- despised the driving and traffic but central FL is its own circle of hell. The beach there, the culture, the food are so wonderful - but the flooding needs to be seriously addressed, not making developers a quick buck.
And I hate those noisy weather alerts ! I hope we have a calmer year and you and your family stay safe. And we somehow get a governor who will take climate change seriously.
Andrea, I whooped to see you featured in Sari Botton’s excellent recommendations. No wonder, great essay! So relatable this week with so-early and ominously huge Hurricane Beryl causing so much uncertainty, then flooding, this week for the Texas coast. We worried about loved ones possibly in the path and kept checking on them. The way you described your jumping routine and carried it through your memories and real concerns, counting on those fingers, relentless, focused, was so powerful! We can’t control everything but golly you ruled that session. Glad you bought a boat! Plus now I’m inspired to find a good rope and take up an old favorite activity.
Linda, thank you for reading so carefully. You get me!!! Beryl caused so much flooding and it was only a Cat 1, I think. Scaryyyyy!
So good. Thank you.
With peace and love, I don’t think the jumping rope is helping. I used to struggle with irrational fear in the form of claustrophobia, so I understand how it can wreck you. My therapist helped me face and overcome irrational obsessive thoughts that were causing panic attacks. It’s possible to heal. Maybe study the actual charts of temperatures and occurrences of storms over the last century, which plainly show that we are at no increased risk. Seeing the truth in statistical format presented by scientists might help you. While the “climate crisis” is not real, it’s clear that your anxiety is very real. I have a family member who is equally obsessed with doomsday prepping. He is storing weapons, freeze-dried food, and live chickens all over his property. When this type of thinking is interfering with one’s quality of life, it’s time to get help. Not in the form of a blowup boat. Hope you’re feeling better soon.
Hi, Tracie. Thanks for chiming in. However, I discourage commenters from diagnosing contributors from their pieces, or disagreeing with their choices. This is just one person's experience and perspective on it.
Oh, sorry, it was just very relatable for me as I’ve been in that place, not too long ago actually.
<3
Good boat choice for flooding. I can help you assemble an emergency bag to go with it. But I also want to check out your jump rope.
Thank you, Mayor! The rope is made of plastic pieces. Perfect rope, if you don’t fret over all the plastic.