Calm Before the Storm

The day was gorgeous, one of those warm days in early autumn that make you happy to be alive. Highs in the low 80s, humidity low enough to be comfortable, a pleasing breeze blowing and rustling the leaves on the trees in the sparkling light. Sky full of light, feathery clouds, earth below full of people cleaning out their gutters and trying to find a store, just one store that still carries flashlights and batteries.

I haven't been up to responding to posts and comments much lately. My apologies to all. It's simply been difficult to find words the past few days. Language requires the brain to function in ways mine would rather not in its current state of sleep-deprivation. So I spent much of the day playing with POV-Ray and trying to think what new icons I want to make. I'm not feeling at all antisocial, but I don't want to talk. I wish there were somebody around who'd just sit and keep me company while I play with graphics, maybe somebody who will restrain me when I want to make yet another abstract animated icon.

Besides playing with graphics, I spent much of the day walking around. Didn't get everything done that I'd wanted (that was a logistical improbability anyway) but there was a great deal of walking done. Though I don't know how far I went exactly, "something close to five miles" is a reasonable guess and I could have gone farther if the sun hadn't set so early. Either I've recovered from that recent illness or the energy of the atmosphere itself gave me a much-needed boost; and either way, I'm grateful for it.

So am I ready for the storm? Not sure. Got batteries for the flashlight before all the stores were sold out, still have a good stock of canned food bought with the food stamps, and there's even a supply of Nestle Toll House candy bars (on sale this week) to satisfy the sweet tooth during the storm. Here's hoping that's good enough.