After the flood...

America does it bigger and usually more. It rained yesterday, and rained and rained, until I thought that god must be punishing the people of Connecticut for some unknown reason. I have never experienced such monsoon-like rain as I do when I come to the States.  I actually love the lightening and claps of thunder that accompany these downpours. I am also impressed by the temperature - in the 90's and humid - tropical and steamy. Today will be hotter and sunny.  Probably an indoor mall day!

 I went to see my dad yesterday and was pleasantly surprised to find him in better health than I had imagined.  it wasn't till I was sitting with him and holding his hand that I realised how wound up I had been about this visit.  it is clear to me now that I was so dreading seeing him and expected him to be in a much worse state.  he was reaonably alert in the morning and I think he was aware of who I was.  He knew Ralph intermittently and was talkative and even made a bit of sense.  I guess he is like the 'energiser bunny' in those battery ads.  He just keeps going on.

After seeing him I experienced a profound relaxation.  I was so tense and so reluctant to see my dad that I guess it just permeated everything for the past few weeks.  Of course, my father was not that great in the afternoon.  He was not particularly communicative and we only stayed such a short time, but he looked better than I expected and I was so pleased to be sitting with him.  


In the evening we went to dinner with my brother and sister-in-law.  Great Japanese food, but what is it about Americans and fried foods.  Of course, Japanese food includes tempura, but tempura coated fried cheesecake?! We passed on that but did have lots of sake and laughter.  


Again, a short posting.  I continue to take photos and will put a photo blog on line when I return, but this afternoon it's off to New York City for a day or two of touring and friends.