It's raining (from the NNE because of the counterclockwise swirl of Irene) and that seldom happens here in Ormstown. The river--Chateauguay--has risen a bit judging by the disappearance of some white water, now replaced by steady and faster flow. Winds up a bit and I expect some trees in the general area will lose limbs and a few will come down.

However, the 72 hours of rain we received about two months ago was worse than this. Of course, those who are in the path of the area around just around the eye will have substantially more to deal with. The normal safety procedures should be observed and followed by anyone outside in this type of weather. All downed power lines must be treated as live until your power company repairman/woman says otherwise. It's not a good day to canoe. The rain is not keeping a cardinal, mourning dove, two blue jays and a half dozen sparrows from the feeder and the area beneath it where the squirrels toss all the seed that is of no interest to them. That's all the seed except sunflower seeds.

It's not a good idea to take a drive just for the heck of it, either.

That's about it from your man on the spot in beautiful downtown Ormstown, Quebec, Canada.

To my American readers: would you please petition your government to drop the NAFTA and we'll take your inclement weather?