Sabbath

They wound up closing the interstate from Mauston (just a bit north of us) all the way to Madison (about an hour south) yesterday, and there were rumors it might remain closed for days. That will not directly affect us in terms of our personal travel, except that it may mean that local roads are overwhelmed by re-routed traffic. Yesterday afternoon Highway 12 through the Dells was bumper to bumper semis. No one was moving very fast -- 25 mile an hour speed limit. South of the Dells, they are asking residents to avoid Highway 16 into Portage so that the interstate traffic can use it. Most of this is one lane each way.

I called Rick in Iowa to see how they were. I didn't get him, but he called back and left a message that they are soggy but high and dry. As bad as things have been in southern Wisconsin, the situation in parts of Iowa is truly grim.

Yesterday was a lovely day, and this morning has begun well. Tom took off early to get some mowing done at the railway. The weather report says we have a 30% chance of more thunderstorms starting mid-afternoon and lasting through tomorrow, and I will take the laptop in again in case we need to keep a closer eye on things.

The laptop also serves as a baby sitter for the eight-year-old son of a couple who volunteer at the railway on the weekends. Matt is actually quite helpful around the place -- he loves to clean up, for example -- but when there is nothing to occupy him, he needs a distraction or he hangs around the counter and interferes with our work. Roberta brought him some cards to play with, but he is of the computerized generation and prefers to play solitaire on the computer. So I set up a separate account for him on the laptop that blocks all internet access and such so that he can play parent-approved games without us worrying that he will wander off to inappropriate places. His parents, John and Judy -- both of whom are certified engineers for the diesel -- , are out working hard on the tracks most of the day, and they seem fine to have him sit at the table in the back on the computer. When one of the other volunteers -- usually Eric -- is working on a project, he will get Matt involved and that is a good thing, too.