I’m back. You missed me, right?
Gonna have to re-learn how to post pics from here. Hopefully I can edit them on Photobucket; I think that’s the fastest option. Or you’ll get the unedited version. Walked down my hill and took pics of curbside (it looks like everyone has shrubbery on the tree lawn). Also, there are a couple of spectacularly fallen-apart trees. (Fortunately not near any structures.)
Talked to the little brother. His kids are staying with him today because their mom doesn’t have power back yet. They were excited to be able to take warm showers and eat toast. Amazing what you really really want to do when there’s no power.
OK…so…Michigan. I was born there. We lived on the Michigan State campus when I was born and, except for a couple of years, lived within blocks of the campus. I really get homesick from time to time, but wouldn’t actually want to live in East Lansing again because it’s too small. But it’s pretty. The campus is VERY nice. And, on the whole, I have to say Michigan is a much more beautiful state than Ohio (which has some beautiful spots, really it does), because it has much more variety. And lots more lakes. The Traverse City area is gorgeous. The UP is amazing ( ::waves at Athena:: ). My great aunt lived in Marquette (and taught at Northern Michigan). I think we only visited her once, but I still remember how cold Lake Superior is. My Grandad was from Deckerville, which is a little town in the Thumb. The family had a cottage near there, on Lake Huron. Port Sanilac, I think… (But maybe it was near a smaller lake and we just went to the beach near Port Sanilac…I dunno…I was a little kid, which means it was more than 40 years ago.) Those of you not familiar with Michigan geography, zoom out from that link and you’ll see what we’re talking about.
And…if you don’t remember Michigan…you probably haven’t been there.
I’m sleepy.
And sad that my laptop appears to be dead. It’s backed up on Mozy, so I should be good, but… I really don’t want to be buying another laptop just now. 
Oh, rigs, the sequence was: 1) power out, 2) laptop appears to be dead, 3) power back on, 4) laptop still dead, PC miraculously working, 5) tree on fire due to power coming back on, 6) tired fire dude says this’ll be happening all over town.
That probably doesn’t make more sense.
Is it Firday yet?
GT