There are calls out for volunteers to sandbag in dozens of places nearby, but there's no way I can answer those calls. The last big flood here was in 1993, and while I didn't get out on the front lines then, I did drive around picking up sandbags and taking them to friends' houses to help barricade basement windows and cover drains. I was obviously younger and stronger then.

Not only can't I sandbag, I haven't been useful in any other way. Shortly after I started work this morning, I realized it wasn't going to be a good day for my hands. The combination of the muggy weather and excessive computer use has left my wrists weak and aching. I emailed the bosses to say I'd be working intermittently, but I didn't even really do that. I only monitored my email and worked the emergencies. I may do a half-day tomorrow as well.

I spent the day reading a bit and watching lots of TV. I even watched The View for a while. The best thing I can say about it is that it wasn't as bad as the episode of Regis and Whoever that the dental hygienist had on while she was cleaning my teeth last week. But that was so bad I started paying attention to the pain of sharp metal scraping my gums to take my mind off the mental anguish induced listening to Whoever talk about family trivia so boring I would have tried to escape her even if she'd been a long-lost relative. Which she could be, for all I know. I hope not.

I have no right to whine about any of this while there are mandatory evacuations in many parts of town. They're advising people in the 500-year flood plain to leave. We had only a little rain today, but there will be more tonight and tomorrow, and the river won't crest until Friday. I don't expect to have any problems with my house, but there is a fairly good chance we could lose electricity or just internet access.

It took me ages to type this. I'm going to try to finish up the next chapter of Bug tomorrow, but if it's late, the fault is with the clouds and my wrists.

There was one good thing to come out of the mess here. See my icon for a rainbow that appeared in the middle of the gloom. (Photography not mine.)