Squishing Back

For my return to the blog I wrote up a long post about Fay, the Tropical Storm that would not Go Away. She blew. She rained. She made the rivers and the lakes overflow. She wore out her welcome and then some. But now that Gustav has hit New Orleans, and Hanna is heading our way, I don't think I'll aggravate the gods of weather by complaining too loudly.

Seriously, it hasn't been all that bad here. Our front yard definitely needed the water, and it's really become kind of picturesque now:



We still can't sit out on the back porch (if it's still there) but the new neighbors have been hanging around the back door:



We've also had some interesting visitors come in from out of town:



(By the way, Mary Stella is probably sitting at her computer right now saying "Hey. Wait a minute. Those dolphins look awfully familiar.")

All kidding aside, the flooding was more of a problem than the storm itself, and that's what left us a bit soggy, but we and our extended families came through all right, and that's the important thing. We're hoping Hanna will pass on by this week, and we're keeping family, friends and the folks who are currently battling Gustav in our thoughts and prayers.

The highlight of my week: my daughter and I rescuing a lovely cocker spaniel who had gotten loose during the storm. We found the terrified little thing dodging cars on one of the worst roads in the county, and when I called to her she came right to me. I would have gone door to door until I found her owners, but I was able to reunite the pup with her family immediately because she was wearing ID tags, which gave her owner's current home address, phone number and vet contact info. Pet ID tags are a wonderful thing, and you can get them made at most pet supply stores.

How are things with you all? Anyone have any news they want to share?