The first rain band came through a bit ago...the kids are back outside enjoying themselves while they can before it gets really nasty.

Hillsborough County has ordered mandatory evacuation for all mobile homes, manafactured homes, and recreational vehicles beginning at midnight. I'm sure there will be some howling after this is over as to why it took County Administrator Pat Gray Bean so long to take action. She also urged persons in low lying, flood prone areas to seriously consider evacuation because of the probability of considerable rain amounts, but did not make that a mandatory order.

Another unusual occurance for Lakeland: The Sam's Club, which is the members-only arm of Wal Mart, opened it's doors to nonmembers in Lakeland earlier this week as Frances began to approach.

I attended the University of Southern Mississippi and occasionally peep onto the Eagle Talk athletic message board. One of the regular posters lives in West Palm Beach and asked the rest of the board to keep we Floridians in their thoughts and prayers. One reply mentioned lyrics from Jimmy Buffett --- a Golden Eagle alum who majored in journalism, by the way --- from his song "Son of a Son of a Sailor": "I'm just glad I don't live in a trailer."