The more we fuck with the ECOSYSTEM (excuse my Francais) the worse these freak catastrophes are when they DO happen.IE, the flood.

Mock their pale vigils, void and vain, / Whether, more curious than humane, / Like Augurs old, they pore / On the still-vibrant fibre's frame;

Grabbing my wicker basket and boline, the special knife I use for cutting herbs, I passed through the living room and out a pair of French doors onto my terrace garden.

The ends of the veil, drawn over her head, were embroidered with silver; she had long gold ear-rings; to a rich and large gold chain was suspended a cross set with precious stones; and over the arm of her chair hung a rosary of agate beads.