...late. The rains finally moved east. We had three days of it in constant fashion. My basement loaded with water that leaked through the cracks, the walls and up from the saturated ground. It reached about two inches deep in places. The furnace room is higher with a 6" slab they poured above the remainder of the cellar before they installed the new gas furnace.

This morning it finally is subsiding and the main room is "dry," although I noticed a thin layer of wet dirt.

I did not call the landlord.I don't need him or plumbers traipsing through my clean house. I placed my trust in the fact that the ground water would eventually stop leaking and the flood would subside.

In other parts of town, nearer to the river, basements are full up to ground level. So I am blessed for that not happening here.

The tree is up and yesterday I loaded about 7 strings of lights before I decided to quit for the evening. I think I will load two strings of blue lights today and then top the tree with the Santa topper. I might even hang a few balls and other hanging items. I am in no hurry.

All the cats are in good health. I think I am, too, but you never know. I did not get a flu or pneumonia shot yet. I probably will. They always make me sick when I get them and put me down for a few days. Hate that effect.

I can't believe the assholes running for President. One made the statement that if he was elected there might not be Medicare on any given year of his administration. He should read the law that created Medicare. The President does not have the authority to halt Medicare. Case closed.

Don't those guys do their due diligence? I think they should study the laws and how government works before they can run.

Another candidate said that "...nobody ever died because they didn't have health insurance." Please send the moron back to PA where he came from!

In election years I sometimes wish we still had the Queen, or a King, or at least an intelligent political establishment.

Italy, even near bankruptcy, is looking better and better.