The Simpson Blog

For the first time I can remember in 15 years, I wasn't at work for a major news event. I was at home with my wife for our first full-fledged hurricane experience. I've been out in the past in tropical storms, post-tropical storms, tropical depressions, post-tropical transitioning mood disorder atmospheric disruptions.... Hurricane Earl was my first Category One. I woke up some time after 9 to wind and rain, and it intensified from there. Never got outright scary, though things took a turn for the unpleasant when the power went off at noon. Not long after that, the winds died down and the rain stopped. We went out for a walk and saw a few branches down around the neighbourhood, but nothing major. Damage at the house was teeny-tiny. The shed was splattered with leaf bits. The clothesline snapped, though it looks as though the wire inside it was already starting to corrode. Siding on the side of the house that usually comes loose in a bad storm held tight, but some soffit abo