Alright, they promised us a storm and it hasn't yet arrived. The wind is blowing a bit, and I got a brief sprinkle of rain across my windshield (which brought to mind that old Tom Waits song, "Diamonds on my Windshield") but so far that's it. Maybe it'll hit by morning. Hopefully the wind will be strong enough to finish blowing down the dead tree in our front yard. As it is, we have to pick up bushels of branches every time there's a bit of wind. If the whole tree blows over, we can be done with it all at once. Knowing our luck with the yard, that would be the signal for some other tree to die.

Trees are blooming in the night, and I drive through patches of pleasant aroma while working. This helps balance out the patches of unpleasant aroma left behind by irritated skunks and nocturnal smokers.

I especially noticed the Willow trees tonight because they're good at withstanding storms. Also, of course, because we're in the wee hours of the anniversary of Willow's first day in the outside world. Right now she has a cold, but that beats being delivered by c-section. She's only a year old and already has had her share of storms. I fervently hope that her upcoming year, and those beyond, are less tempestuous. Happy birthday Willow.

cds I listened to while watching leaves skitter by: Paul Chain "Unreleased Vol.1", Eleni Karaindrou "Mousiki Gia Tenies" box set, and Ulver "Silencing the Singing"