MISTY TUSCAN VALLEY

Some do sunrises, some do sunsets, I do fog. Only a year ago, this was a rare sight. We would clap our hands in delight -- well, no, not really -- but we did think it was beautiful.

Since last October it has become a cause of hair tearing despair. This is the view at 6:45 in the morning and it is typical. A glimmer of sun catches the mist. Then the sun is obscured by clouds, the mist creeps up. You can see it moving quite fast as it sends white fingers snaking through the trees. It often recedes, as if it is alive and breathing, then returns until, by 8 o'clock we are socked in with heavy fog.

That's not the end of it, though. No, it rises to meet its buddies, the clouds. Then it rains. The rainy season has lasted five months -- so far.

It was this dawn mist pic or out to find an attractive bit of wet vegetation.

For the record: +11 C Showers. Humidity 100%

Update: My friend in Japan, Kazuko, said I didn't need to change anything in yesterday's blip. That's a relief because it is too late. She also insists that things aren't all that bad in Tokyo, that she will know the time of electricity blackouts, has a supply of rice and knows from experience that food shortages do not last more than one week. The 70% chance of another big earthquake is a worry for all but she, and everybody, is grateful to the world for their support. This is a direct quote: "We are hearing the people in the world are crying 'Don't give up, Japan, Don't give up, Tohoku.' We are saying "Don't give up Tohoku".