It was just another beautiful, balmy Florida day until the storm that threatened all day roared in.

It was actually nice to see and hear the rain. My parched plants need relief.

I like to listen to the sound of the wind and rain when I’m safe inside. I thought the storm would blow over as quickly as it finally came.

I was wrong.

The wind greatly intensified when it got dark, but I couldn’t see what it was doing to my screened-in pool cage until it got light. Morning light revealed empty spaces where screening used to be and the remains of the screening thrown up on the roof.

The wind had blown water past my patio glass door, creating a duck pond over the carpeting.

We were told a microblast with heavy wind and rain did a number on some homes, twisting aluminum into pretzels.

Since a lot of homes were affected, I called my screening contractor right away because I knew he would be in demand. With 50 calls for rescreening, I was fourth on his list.

While I waited for him to come, I knew the panels without screens would bring in birds and perhaps other creatures.

I’m passionate about birds and especially like mockingbirds. I love the way they imitate the song of many birds.

I didn’t mind when at least a dozen mockingbirds flew into my pool area. But I was worried when some couldn’t find the way back out.

I watched one little bird frantically flying around the cage looking for the opening. Hours later, it was still trying to get out. It kept checking the lower screens, not realizing the missing screens were on top.

Hey, little birdie, the big opening in the screen is to your right.

Poor birdie kept turning left, looking for the opening.

It made me think about everyday life when we have to make decisions about how to solve a problem.

Sometimes we’re like that little bird, not seeing the right, obvious choice and getting caught up in bad choices.

Well, the small mockingbird eventually found its way out, but the next time I looked, three other birds were trapped inside the pool cage. They found the way out a lot quicker than the little bird.

That’s what happens when we have to make decisions in real life, isn’t it? Some people quickly find the right solution, picking the right path.

Every day since the pandemic hit heavily in Florida I have to make what seem like routine decisions.

Should I risk going to dinner with a few friends? My answer was no because our local infection rate continues to soar and too many people aren’t wearing masks.

In fact, the decision to wear or not wear a mask has led to brawls when some don’t like the choice others made.

One couple chose not to wear a mask when they went for dinner in a local restaurant. But they weren’t content to let others make their own decision.

On their way out of the restaurant, the mask-less couple saw another couple at a table wearing masks.

They started screaming insults at the pair because they had masks on.

For some reason, someone else’s decision enraged them. They started spitting on the couple while they rubbed their hands all over the masked diners.

It’s now a police matter.

As the saying goes, you can’t make this stuff up.

Everyday I make what should be routine choices. If I select the wrong option, I could become another COVID-19 statistic.

Some of my younger friends are getting on with their lives the same way they always did. They are socializing in groups, attending concerts and having big parties.

Because I’m older and my husband has what they call “underlying health concerns,” I have to skip all those get-togethers.

My 92-year-old neighbor is doing as much partying and socializing as youngsters. “At my age, I have nothing to lose,” she reasons.

Every time I’m tempted to go somewhere my daughters view as risky, they ask me, “Is it worth your life?”

Experts tell us it’s safer to socialize outdoors if you maintain social distancing.

With that in mind, I opted to go boating with two friends. I figure it’s safe.

While I was on their boat the skipper told me his boss just returned from visiting family in Ohio. They saw no one except their children and grandchildren. Sounds safe, right?

They had a call from their son saying they needed to be tested because the family was diagnosed with COVID-19.

If the boss has it, does that mean my friend who works with him needs to be tested?

See what I mean?

Every little thing we once didn’t think about now involves discernment.

While we’re told it’s safe to shop for groceries if we wear a mask and stay 6 feet apart, I’ve had to switch supermarkets to one that has better safety precautions.

My best friend lingered for two weeks between life and death after she was infected with the virus. She learned how tough it is for older people to survive.

I’ve been told to lighten up and stop worrying. But I don’t want to be like that little mockingbird that was having a hard time because of making wrong choices.

Contact Pattie Mihalik at newsgirl@comcast.net.