The winds along the Cape and Islands were 35-40 mph with gusts 50mph++ throughout the entire day yesterday then continued non stop throughout the evening and have yet to die down. Some of the rain driven by high winds worked side ways around chimney caps and my guess is there are a lot of wet ceilings and I bet Cady isn't the only one with a wet basement. I am really kicking my self for nay saying the forecast and choosing (because I am cheap) to put off applying Wiltpruf to my broadleaf evergreens......ahhhhhhhhh. This is the second time in the recent past that I have chosen to ignore the weather forecast and found my self regretting it. A number of years ago when the kids were young we went without any television for a year and one of the insights was how different television, radio, & newspaper report the weather in New England. New England TV clearly has a love affair reporting about weather and IMHOP tends to over hype it. So now I have become a weather naysayer which is just down right dangerous. I am an adult and responsible for all of my own decisions but does anyone think that the television net works share some responsibility with the individual who ignores the continues onslaught of hype and finds them self facing dangerous weather conditions? kt

I FINALLY figured it out! We have a Weather Channel indicator on the bottom bar that reports on the outside temperature. And clicking on it links to a full-sized Weather Channel window. It occured to me: Weather Channel / Thunderclap = DUH! After some searching I found a reference to a thunderclap sound-effect for the site. It wasn't clear whether it was an alert for local severe weather or severe weather anywhere else in the nation. But it did tell me how to turn it off on my profile. Thanks again for everyone's input. I now know how to alter all the sound effects on my computer. Didn't know I could :-)

Welcome back, you were missed! I am so sorry to hear about your family losses, I always just remember that a loss of a loved one is just one more guardian angel watching over me. Glad you have your internet back, I know the feeling of disconnect when you are without it for so long! -Michelle

Thanks again everyone from me and Miss Betty! She is just a joy!!! Calm and passive with grumpy Max unless my son’s crazy Golden, Bella, is visiting…which she is for the next couple of days, so the girls are home burning energy today, while “OfficeMax” is “helping” me at work: Ingrid, I thought of you last night when I came in from watering pots and found two beetles still in my hair…lol Barbara, Maman Cochet has such beautiful flowers here from midseason on, but early season is hit or miss with her on balling. She blackspots a good bit here, too, but her bs resistance might be better if Felicia weren’t behind and Maggie beside her…two of my worst OGRs for bs (except for my HPs). I wouldn’t plant her in a public garden needing a low maintenance rose in a humid climate, but I think she’s worth it for a home garden. Rosette Delizy & Duchesse de Brabant are my most cold sensitive teas. I hear Marechal Niel is, as well, but only third year with it and no cold damage issues so far (but a definite baller here). Most of my others haven’t had too much problem with winter dieback even during those two polar vortexes. I don’t have G. Nabonnand, but may add that one to my wish list :)