Rain? Again? Does it have to rain every day?

Yeah, yeah, I know. Three things you can’t do anything about: death, taxes and the weather. But it has rained almost constantly since March and shows no signs of letting up.

This morning, they sent out ominous flood warnings. As much as three inches an hour could fall from the skies. Rain. Monsoon. Flood. Last time this much rain fell, Noah went out and built himself a boat.

Don’t mind me. Rain causes my joints to ache. Too much rambunctous activity in my youth has led to too many aching bones and joints in later life.

I’ve been writing for publication for more than 40 years yet have never had either the nerve or desire to get up in front of a bunch of people and read something I’ve written.

Until last night. As the newest inductee into the Floyd Writers Circle, a group of writers who live and write in the county, my initiation including standing on stage at Oddfellas Sunday night and reading two selections from the D.C. DarkSide web site.

This seems to be the year of domination in some sports.

Earlier today, Michael Schumacher tied his own record for most wins in a Formula 1 auto racing season (11) and will almost certainly break it, considering he’s won 11 out of 12 races this year (and most likely would have won that one had not another competitor wrecked him).

There are 17 registered sex offenders living in Floyd County?

That’s the number listing on the Virginia State Police’s Sex Offender Database on the ‘Net.

When a person is convicted of a violent crime involving sexual offenses, they are required to register with the state and the state then posts the list for all to see.

Parents of young children should check it out. It pays to know your neighbors.

Caught a feature on The Grateful Dead on the tube the other night. Yes, the Dead, the ones who vowed to never again tour at The Grateful Dead after the death of Jerry Garcia, are still on the road and deadheads still flock to their concerts.

Of course, they got around their promise to never again tour as The Grateful Dead by just calling themselves “The Dead” but it is, more or less, the same band without Garcia.