We’ve got this storm named Barbara scaring us now.  Ezi and I lifted up the fallen vines and tied them to the columns of the building, and I wondered how long the building itself would hold up.  Some people mentioned this morning that their houses shook and now they are worried that with all the digging in the city, everything will collapse.  I think we’re just a bit oversensitive, what with all the political unrest, the general feeling that an understanding among the peoples here will never be achieved if we do not change course, and the natural disasters coming together all at once.

So the ‘big wind’ is Barbara and the ill wind of the government.  The wind and the windbag.

At least we’re sending crews to help in Turkey and I hope, to Syria.  The thousands of dead, the thousands homeless in this storm – it boggles the mind.

Just so you don’t feel too boggled, let me remind you of what a famous vet said a few years back:  if you want to protect your life in an earthquake, go to sleep with some sausage in your pajama pocket – so the dogs will be motivated to find you quickly.