Any Port in a Storm

So we got some rain last night. It came down pretty hard at times. I don't know how much we got but it wasn't inconsiderable.Normally, I like the rain. There is something almost anodyne about the rhythmic sound of a downpour hitting the shingles of a roof overhead or the pavement below. When a good rainstorm hits, I sometimes like to shut off all the lights and sit in a chair next to an open window with screen that keeps my cats from escaping but provides an insufficient shield against the water should a big gust of wind blow in the right direction.I stare out the window at night, watching the single street lamp across the street. In the dark, that beam of light is the only place where the rain is visible, making it look like an illuminated shower head.I lived in California for a number of years. While the Golden State has many things going for it, one of aspect of Midwestern life I missed while I was there is weather.Of course, the balming effects of a good rainstorm are only evident if you don't have to be out in it, getting rained on. I've been in that situation many times. Fortunately, no news broke out and I could stay inside my nice, warm house with my nice, warm cats and enjoy the rain while staying dry.I especially didn't want to have to go out and cover any news last night because, at the moment, one of my car windows won't go up. I'm not sure what the problem is but, at some point, I'll have to take it to a mechanic. I should probably do that before winter hits.I knew the rain was coming, so put a towel in he window to keep the inside from getting wet. It isn't a perfect solution but does a good enough job of keeping the water out of my car.It does not, however, keep everything out of my car.The rain had stopped by the next morning. As I was climbing into my car, preparing to head to work, I tossed my umbrella into the back seat. At that moment, I heard “ERAAAAWHHEARWR!”My umbrella landed on a cat that had been snoozing in my back seat. I presume he used my car as shelter from the storm last night. The cat leaped out of my car and ran off, pausing only once to look back and give me a huffy, indignant look, before taking off.It wasn't a stray. I recognized him as a black and white neighbor cat that, in my mind, I call Tuxedo Max. He periodically comes by my house to peer in the windows and torment my own, housebound felines. So I'm glad to know he doesn't have to depend on my car for a place to live.Cars are nice, warm places for cats to hide, so it is always a good idea to give your car a couple of good, loud pounds on the hood to run off any cats before you start your car.Oh, I almost forgot. It is October, plus today is Friday the 13th, so I should probably say something about the scary season. Um….BOO!There. That's good enough.

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