Micah says of freshman orientation, "It was BOOOOOORing...." typical. But as I watched him watch the program, I saw him connect with a few kids right away. He was already sitting with some kids and talking and having fun. Later he and Brandon went to the skate park. Now he is reading his summer assignment, Lord of the Flies. Steve chided ME that Micah had only read 40 pages while he was gone in Iowa. Well now I've gone and gotten some study guides online and I chided Steve that HIS discourse doesn't work when tutoring Micah. Same old same old. We'll work it out.

The weather is still ridiculous here. DRY. Yesterday lightning split the thirsting southern sky a few times, but the rain only continued its tantalizing flirt with the far edges of the city. Meanwhile all grass has turned brown. The long, shrill cicada chirp pierces the heavy sunshine. Plants from the north have no hope here. Some plants in my inherited garden, some small little things with large, veiny, deciduous leaves, have just given up. The leaf edges are brown and the stems withering, wilting hopelessly even if I use the hose on them. It just is not enough. They have literally been cooked alive. The earth is cracking like millions of fault lines. Plants of southern origin have flourished in the heat but are now beginning to tire of the lack of water as even their roots dehydrate. The magnificent magnolia tree thrives but its leaves are turned upward in hope. Meanwhile Texas drowns under its diluvian surge, and Dean has menaced St. Lucia. His plans for the coast are unknown but to him. Yucatan? Houston? San Antonio? New Orleans? We can only guess while Cancun genuflects and whispers please....no....not again....