I'm sorry about the tense dream, Hec. The puddle dream sounds like a nice one though. I gave up and got a window A/C for camp because no one ever used air conditioning in the Adirondacks. It only gets used a handful of times a year, but it is nice to have the option.

I gave up and got a window A/C for camp because no one ever used air conditioning in the Adirondacks. It only gets used a handful of times a year, but it is nice to have the option.

It should only get up into the 80s today so it'll be easier.

I'm planning on putting a heat pump in for the attic, and putting solar panels up too, so those are home improvements I've got on the list. Probably after Matilda goes to college.

Yikes. Tampa is in big trouble. Cat 5.

Since Sunday night, the storm’s rate of strengthening has reached extreme levels — its intensity leaping from a Category 1 to 5. The storm’s peak winds Monday midday were up to 160 mph, a 70 mph increase in 12 hours.

Yikes. Tampa is in big trouble. Cat 5.

Damn, and it's not even supposed to make landfall until Wednesday, right? Maybe it'll lose intensity by then.

They do expect it to lose steam. At least going to 4 and hopefully 3. But keeping strong all the way across the state including Orlando. The whole middle section of the state will be without power for a while.

Yikes that is scary!! I hope it magically weakens quickly.

They do expect it to lose steam. At least going to 4 and hopefully 3. But keeping strong all the way across the state including Orlando.

Even a 3 going across the entire state is going to be very bad.

Here's hoping everyone can get battened down safely.

Happy Birthday, Jen P!

This weekend I got my Cat People for Harris/Walz sign from the local Democratic Party HQ and put it up in the yard.

Some sanity~ma for my brother needed. I'd ask for health~ma, but really we just need him to take his health seriously for the first time in 69 years. He's lost 25 pounds and is vomiting. He went to the doctor this morning and they have sent him for a bunch of stat scans. He is on the west coast of Florida so I am surprised they even got him in. He falls often, so it could even be a concussion. He has such a long list of issues it is hard to say. He takes 3 meds for diabetes, which in his mind means he can eat as many donuts and those canned sweet coffees as he wants. He has MS, which is mostly in remission, but he falls because he won't use a cane. He chain smokes. Basically, he has zero regard for his body but apparently he was annoyed enough with the recent issues that he went to the doctor this morning without kicking and screaming. He is getting his scans done right now.

Oh, goodness, Laura, that is a lot. I'm glad he went to the doctor, and I hope results are things he's willing to deal with to the extend that's possible. Health and outcomes ~ma his way. Dealing with the sib ~ma yours.

Thanks for the b-day wishes! Went to a nice Italian place for dinner last night with a couple of friends and DH. And I just got a hilarious serenade via Teams Meet, because everyone is out of sync time-wise -- like, they couldn't have done it all in one room together like that if they had tried. Hilarious.