the weather is...

... rainy but not really bad. My only concern is the possibility of trees falling on lines and the power going out. Even if that happens, I don't expect it will be for an extended period of time. Years ago when we first moved here, this part of town was so sparsely populated we did not have full city services. Lacking some of the usual utilities and benefits normally available in towns, we were using propane gas, delivered by a truck that refilled the tank in the front yard. Things that were flushed ended up in a septic tank buried in the yard.

Not really primitive by third world standards, but problematic at times. Like when I delivered a baby during an ice storm. When TheManWhoLivesHere finally returned home, there was no heat. For several days. He decided to camp out in the hospital until the weather changed.

Still in the same house with hundreds more that have been built in the area dramatically increasing the population. We are on top of a hill, so even with massive amounts of rainfall as a result of stalled out storm system, there is no fear of flooding. Though the street did flood recently, preventing travel for several days due to water, no one was really stuck, or trapped by poor drainage, just a bit  inconvenienced. I could be concerned about all the trees here, surrounding the house. Probably a dozen or  more that could potentially fall on the house, and do damage. But really: what can I do about it now?

I know people who decided to eliminate the possibility by having pine trees cut and now live on denuded lots, safe from storm damage.  I would rather take the chance and have the trees. It has not been that long since we put a new roof on. I don't relish the thought of doing that again, but would rather have the trees and a little risk.

Wind and rain is predicted, but expected to clear up as tattered remnants hang around for a couple of days. Flooding will surely happen when the storm begins to dissipate and dump more rain than we normally see. But it will soon be over, and time to start the damage assessment and repairs. One of the most remarkable sights I recall from going to MS after Katrina is trees with no leaves. Giant, ancient oak trees that have stood for generations with absolutely not the first sign of a green leaf. Every one blown off in the gale force winds. Trees stills standing without a single leaf. But surviving...