We've had a beautiful last couple of days here in the Gulf Coast region - dry air, temps in the 70s. On Sunday evening, I got to see Roger Clemens pitch what might be his last game* at Minute Maid Park with the roof open (!).  Bonus: The Astros were playing the Cardinals, resulting in great baseball (as opposed to homerun derby). OK, the Astros did win with a 3-run homer in the 7th, but the game also featured lots of Tony LaRussa and Phil Garner small-ball as well. (Which is even better for this baseball geek - I'd rather see one run on a hit, steal and sacrifice than three runs on one pitch).

Contrast that to this week in 2005, when I looked out my window in NW Houston and saw this bearing down on us:



We were blessed to be spared any real damage from Miz Rita, but after the storm, we did have to endure three of the hottest, humidest days I've experienced in 13 years in Texas - three days without power, which for us means no A/C and no water (electric well pump, dontcha know). Compared to our brethren in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and East Texas we got off pretty much scot free, but the contrast between this week this year and this week last year is striking. And welcome.


*Is it just me or has Roger had more farewell appearances than The Who?