LIFE GOES ON WHILE YOU SLEEP

A couple of interesting news items from overnight got my attention as I awoke here in sticky Lakeland...

--- Cuban President (read: dictator) Fidel Castro, for the first time since he assumed power 47 years ago, temporarily handed over the powers of his office to his brother, First Vice President and Defense Minister Raul Castro, before undergoing intestinal surgery.

Needless to say, the exile community in Miami celebrated, only a prelude to what will likely happen when the announcement is made that Fidel has died. Fidel Castro will turn 80 years of age in less than two weeks.

Check out the Miami Herald coverage of this developing story. They have a number of stories covering the local reaction as the radio talk lines heat up and federal customs and the Coast Guard prepare for any activity.

--- And we have a tropical storm in the Carribean region which could affect Florida's weather by Sunday or Monday. Chris formed last night, is a minimal tropical storm now, but some strengthing is expected within the next 24 hours. The infamous "five day cone" of where Chris may be heading does include south and east central Florida up to roughly Melbourne. It's definately worth keeping a close watch on, in case you need to change your weekend plans suddenly.

Life goes on...