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2021 February

Friday, February 19, 2021

[Florida Keys Marine Weather Update] A strong cold front will push through the Florida Keys coastal waters late Friday evening.  In the wake of the front, strong northerly breezes will commence.  A Small Craft Advisory is expected for all coastal waters beginning Friday night or early Saturday morning.  Due to the above normal temperatures over the past several weeks, sea surface temperatures are into the mid-upper 70s at most locations.  As a result, stronger winds aloft will efficiently mix down to the surface, similar to what occurs during the “first cold fronts” of the season.

Wind:  Winds will shift north and increase to 20-25 knots by late Friday night .  Sustained winds of at least 20-25 knots are likely through at least Sunday morning, with peak winds near 25 knots Saturday night into Sunday morning, especially for Hawk Channel, the Straits of Florida, and the southeastern Gulf of Mexico. The peak winds are expected late Saturday night through Sunday morning.  However, fresh to strong breezes are expected beginning Friday night and will last through at least Sunday night.  Winds will shift northeasterly Saturday night and eventually easterly Sunday night.

Seas:  Fast-building, steep seas will develop Friday night, peaking Saturday night and Sunday (5-8 feet southeastern Gulf of Mexico; 7-10 feet Straits of Florida; 3-6 feet in Hawk Channel; 2-5 feet in the Gulf of Mexico inside five fathoms). Seas in Hawk Channel and the Straits of Florida will be higher west of the Marquesas Keys and Cosgrove Shoal Light, respectively. The “seas” above are given as “significant wave height”, which is the average height of the highest 1/3 of the waves.  Individual waves may be more than twice the significant wave height.

 

Having a child is life’s biggest experience.

[Plastic] That was a very informative article on plastic ingested by marine life. When you go out diving/snorkeling in the Gulf, ocean, or even quarry you see plastic! bags, plastic pieces, drinking containers, etc. Gets you sick just seeing it. We’ve become a throw-away society.

[Wind Turbine] Wind turbine blade delivery. A hairpin turn with a 120 ft. long blade is pretty tricky. Only 197 more blades to deliver for this project.  Should you choose to watch the video you’ll know why turbines have 3 not 2 or 4 blades, plus more wind turbine stuff than you ever wanted to know. Link

[“You’re a racist too”] I agree. There’s nothing we can ever do about it. That’s how we’re made. That’s how it is. The only thing we can do is to strive to live harmoniously with everyone. That’s the big challenge.
[Snorkeling Death] A 42-year-old North Carolina woman died at Lower Keys Medical Center on Stock Island on Sunday after being rushed there following a snorkeling incident near the Sand Key Lighthouse. she was snorkeling with family and friends on a Fury Watersports boat when she reputedly began signaling for help. CPR began on the boat and continued on the U.S. Coast Guard boat. Autopsy results are pending.

Are there any softball leagues that play at Watson Field or the ballpark at the county Park?  I’m also a long time player, and would also be interested in coaching. Reach me at retiremarine1369@yahoo.com

A report says that China has stolen the personal data of 80% of American adults. Boy, am I ever glad I cleared my browser cache!
The Florida Keys Southernmost Car Club is holding a Show and Shine event on Sunday, February 21, from noon to 3PM at the Sugarloaf Lodge, MM 17. This free event features classic, custom, sports and street rod automobiles of all years and makes.  This event features prizes and a plaque for the Peoples’ Choice Award. Join the club for $25, and receive a club T-shirt and stickers.  Please respect social distancing & wear a mask when in close conversation.  Bring a cooler, bring a chair and enjoy the shade in the grass. Any questions call Dick Moody 305-942-1758. Link
[Rescue] U.S. Coast Guard Station Key West has been busy on the water, aiding a boat crash victim and rescuing two people to Cuba. On Tuesday, a rescue crew from the station and a good Samaritan assisted an injured man after two vessels collided near Garrison Bight. After the good Samaritan rescued the injured man, the rescue crew escorted them to Station Key West to awaiting emergency medical services personnel, who took the injured man to Lower Keys Medical Center. Link

[Mars Rover Launch] See it all here. Video

[Not Obeying Laws] Key West. Bicycles, skateboards, electric bikes, scooters, all over the place. Weaving in and out of traffic, up one ways, not stopping for traffic lights. They want parity with vehicles, but they don’t even obey the rules of the road.

[Wetsuits] Darn, that ocean water is cold! I ditched my 7mil farmer John suit for my thinner skin. Mistake! 2 hot showers later I’m still cold

[Coronavirus Vaccine Nears Final Tests in Cuba] Tourists May Be Inoculated. Amid bread shortages, Cuba gets one step closer to a scientific milestone: the mass production of a coronavirus vaccine invented on the island. Link

 

Well, it has been raining here in the upstate of South Carolina for about a week now. I just looked outside my window and it’s still raining.

[“133-car pileup in Fort Worth”] I was in a 50-car pileup during a bitter cold night in Connecticut. The remarkable thing was how slow it all happened from semi-trailer trucks jackknifing to cars pushing one another against each other as they piled up. It all was in slow motion and surreal.

[Rare Woodies] The 1941 Packard 120 Woodie Station Wagon. This will bring memories for some of us and wonderment of years of yore. Link

They caught two fat chicks from New Jersey stealing the two-inch ropes from the tied up ships at Mallory Pier to make themselves string bikinis.
Windy.com is a great app. It gives you current and future forecasts. Pretty accurate. When you zoom in, you can notice the bicycle path from upper Duval Street, Key West to a little north of Islamorada. That is a path for the truly adventurous, to say the least. Any readers dare to maneuver it? Sections are littered with broken glass, pieces of metal, and then you have to contend with the traffic! I tried about 15 miles. Finally, said, “nuff”.
[Live Less] Life expectancy in the United States dropped a staggering one year during the first half of 2020 as the coronavirus pandemic caused its first wave of deaths, health officials are reporting. Minorities suffered the biggest impact, with Black Americans losing nearly three years and Hispanics, nearly two years, according to preliminary estimates Thursday from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
[Security] Up for a good laugh? Drive through Truman Annex, Southard St in Key West and try to get the attention of the security guards in the booth at entrance. You pretty well have to knock on the door to either wake them up or get them off their cell phone. God forbid you have an incident needing attention. They would be better off replacing the guard with electronic surveillance and or an intercom. And the poor owners are paying high money. What an illusion.
War is the natural human state. Put a bunch of humans together and eventually they’ll start to kill each other.

 

Presidents’ Day is not Washington’s birthday. His birthday, which I share, is February 22nd.

[Donate Blood] For those eligible to donate, there’s a blood drive Monday, 2/22 at Bealles.  Long sleeve shirt & $10 eGift card for donors. Donate twice this year through 4/30 for $25 Carrabba gift card mailed to you. Click on the link to schedule an appointment. Thank you. Link
I got my Covid vaccination yesterday, it increased my libido. My wife is only 61, dammit.

 

 

I just bought a book from IKEA.

There would have been no coup without social media.