Finally, Wade’s campaign gets serious attention. He was profiled in today’s News and Observer. While any ink is good ink, I thought the article gave too much voice to his opponent, Paul Stam.

Stam says he wants less government, except when it serves his purposes. For instance, he finds government useful for discriminating against homosexuals. Guess that fits his definition of “more freedom.” Judging by Stam’s priorities, such as frivolous constitutional amendments and the like, Wade is the only serious candidate for District 37.

You go, Wade!

Tropical Depression Jeanne is circling Hickory this morning. Large rain bands are overspreading eastern North Carolina and the Piedmont. But not a freakin’ drop has fallen here on my newly-seeded lawn.

Zero. Nada. Zip. It’s dry as a bone.

It was like this for Hurricane Ivan, too. At least up until like five days after it was supposed to begin raining.

I’m back to being a sprinkler slave. Gah.

I’d have to say that last night was filled with more than its share of excitement. Right after I put Hallie to bed, I walked by the windows where red flashing light was shining. A fire truck was creeping its way down the street. Needless to say, I stepped outside to see where it was going.

When it stopped a few houses down, I recognized the family of my next door neighbors. My neighbor Jay had collapsed on the sidewalk while out walking the dog with his girls. After making sure their kids were settled, I offered to go with his wife to the hospital, where I waited as she checked up on him. When she told me I could go, she said the doctors thought he had had a mild stroke.

He’s just 36 years old. Scary. A full heart workup was being prepared as I drove home, so more should be known today. I guess we’re lucky to have a fire station less than a half-mile away.

After I got home, my wife and I were pretty wired and couldn’t sleep, so I checked email and webpages once again. While I was out helping my neighbors, my brother was announcing a new arrival. Wow! We spent another hour talking about that; including when they knew, what a crazy time holiday will be, and how close the kid will be to our upcoming son’s age.

Just like that I went from something frightening and sad, to something profoundly happy. Its like I save all of my emotional dessert and eat it all at once. A binge or something.

Now, I wonder what today will bring!