We were visiting the grand opening of the Cross Creek commerical center just outside Floyd Saturday afternoon when the distant roar of thunder filtered through the music and sounds of children.

Good weather for a storm: warm with just the right touch of humidity. But the sun was out at Cross Creek, an old shirt factory turned into retail and commercial development, and I photographed stilt walkers (right) while Amy shopped.

Nature, however, would not be denied. Before long, clouds blocked the sunlight and the distant rumbles grew louder. We headed home and I tried to mow the yard before the inevitable struck. I was, of course, at the very bottom of our long, sloping yard when the first raindrops fell, but managed to get the John Deere to the top of the driveway and into the garage before the deluge started.

What the hell. Good excuse to sack out on the couch and wait for the Saturday night NASCAR race in Richmond to start on the tube. Tomorrow is another day and a half-mowed lawn still awaits.