Neither rain, nor snow, nor ...

Well, to be sure, the old saw says nothing about tropical storms. But in my experience almost anything can stop the U.S. Postal Service. Tropical Storm Irene passed by us at six o'clock in the evening on Sunday. Twelve hours later, the Wall Street Journal was in its accustomed place in the newspaper tube, but here it is Tuesday, and the U.S. mail has yet to make an appearance. In similar vein, the road to Durham has been cleared of a small pine tree that had been blocking it, but the signs are still up: Road Closed. I understand that to mean: Proceed if you like, but don't sue us if anything goes wrong!

Proof, if any be needed, that it will not be government employees who haul us out of the ditch. Blue skies! -- Dan Ford