stuff

1. The rumbling in the sky yesterday finally produced a fairly heavy rainstorm for about an hour or so, cooling temps slightly, and providing some small relief to plants and persons.
   
   
2. I ended up driving across the northern suburbs during the storm yesterday afternoon, and discovered that my route was closed due to "round-about" construction. Twice, I found myself sitting stopped on a two-lane road surrounded by empty fields with a long line of cars stretched out in front of me as far as I could see. I think if I had to endure that kind of traffic daily (as it is, I usually am going against the flow), I would be perennially mad, become a Republican (this area is the most Republican county in the state) and probably support causes that have never interested me.
   
   
3. After our walk this morning, I found three or four j. beetles (I'm afraid I usually just call them "little bastards") chomping away on my hollyhocks. It's amazing how much they had eaten. I put them in the extra plastic bag I carry in my pocket, tied it off and put it in the trash. Such an empty gesture. There are probably a million more or so.
   
   
4. Tonight, we begin Choral Evensong at 6:30 pm. I am looking forward to it, and to the trip -- Getting to sing for a week (actually five evensongs) at Durham Cathedral will be a respite from driving down crowded roads, or fuming about politics, or worrying about the many ills of the world. In evensong, one can only pray, sing and be quiet. Amen.