Frances plays games, says 'here I am'

Okay, I have to admit it...I got a little spooked. The winds got up to tropical storm force; the rain pounded; the trees tossed around. Then the sucker punches: three separate, strong gusts of wind -- must have been around 70 mph each. There's no way to anticipate them, and certainly nothing I can do about these slams. It makes me feel so helpless against the elements.

Once again I'm reminded of my need for the one who calms the sea and the wind.

This was just a taste of what's to come -- this is just the very, very edge of Hurricane Frances starting to move in. A reminder of her power.

Jack the Brat sat by the window, fascinated. A line of dark stuff from the east, the Atlantic, boiled up, and he moved to the safety of the sofa to watch it. Betsy assumed the usual position she takes when anxious -- wedged between the sofa and the coffee table, near my feet. She moved with me into the office and is now curled up at my feet here.

We're under a tornado warning. I think I'll shut down the computer and unplug everything to protect it against power surges. We've already had one brownout and resurgence of power.

If I get another window, I'll post later this evening, if anyone's reading.

Pat