Administrativia

Usually, here in Houston, we don't get much of a fall -- or even a true winter season -- just several cold spells punctuating generally mild sub-tropical weather. The trees and greenery in the region tend to keep their leaves until mid-winter (February) and then drop the brown ones in favor of new growth.

The piles of debris notwithstanding, the trees, shrubs and other greenery now remind me of winter... almost denuded in many places, certainly sparser... and although the weather is nice (cool and dry), the feelings of After-Ike relief are painted on a bleaker backdrop.