No PAX from PAX.

OK, all you folks north and west of here in a panic over winter storm "PAX" about to blow through: please revise your shopping lists to items that will actually be of use in an emergency. Scratch off the stuff that requires cooking. 

When the power goes out, unless you have a small camp stove/cooking burner, an old fondue set that uses sterno - or you're good with candles -  coffee, tea, eggs, oatmeal, canned ravioli, chili, or corned beef hash will not feed your family.

Think more PB&J, cheese and crackers, and other healthy snacks like fresh (or canned) fruit, and really…how much toilet paper do you need?  I am sure you still have an ample supply from the last storm, so unless you have an Army Battalion bivouacked in your basement, save your money for stuff that matters.  

And don't even think about buying the ingredients to make S'mores. Nobody will be in the mood to sing "Kumbaya" anyway.  This ain't no camp-out. No fire, no ghost stories. This is serious, people.

Did you buy extra blankets, wraps, comforters, after being unprepared for the last storm?  How about batteries for radios and flashlights?  How about a battery or crank-up weather radio? These remarkable devices can also charge your cell phone, if you are willing to crank enough.  And somehow, I think most of you would be willing to do that.  Although if the ice is thick and heavy enough, the cell sites may be unavailable.

As for us here at the beach, a mix is due to begin this afternoon into the night. If the temps remain as forecast, we'll be in little or no danger.  Of course, that could change at any time, so prepare for any possibility.

And before you even ask, no, my being gay has nothing to do with these storms or climate change.  We gay folks have taken the wrap for way too many natural disasters in recent years.  No!  Like it or not, this is the wave of the future.  So deny it, or deal with it.  Your choice.

Just trying to help here, folks.

And so it goes.