Today's News and Weather Report

Last night there was a really nasty storm that blew in about 3am. Wind, lightning, hail -- the whole works. It was enough to wake me up and I almost got up but decided I was just too tired to stumble around in the dark.

I haven't seen any damage from my windows but I haven't gone out yet either. Food first, then exploring -- so we'll see.

And in other news, there are a lot of the 'outdoor' cats missing. I've talked with a few neighbors who are cat ladies too, and we think it is because of coyotes and maybe foxes. Honestly, I usually do not hear coyotes this close to the house until late winter, and it's only just fall. Of course, the town librarian has seen a red-tailed hawk in her back yard (her neighbors have chickens) and a lady told me at the grocery store said she had seen and heard an owl in her treeline, so yeah it looks like there will be fewer kitties this year. :'( At least my babies are safe inside! And once I get my furnace looked at, I'll see if I can't lure a few more on the porch.