July has started off with a bang, which suits this month of blistering heat, fireworks and frequent performances of the 1812 Overture. 

Last night stormy weather moved in. While it drenched us, it downed trees and may have even spawned a small tornado closer into town. (And it happened almost nine years to the day from when a powerful derecho storm blew in, leaving almost three million without power.)

Today’s morning-after is much less significant, though one daughter still has no power at her house, and a downed tree crushed one neighbor’s porch and crashed through the windshield of another neighbor’s car. 

But here in the outer ‘burbs (touch wood), the lights are on, the air conditioner is humming and I just sent off my first (in a long time) freelance assignment. 

Time for a nap? It’s tempting!