It is a beautiful day outside today in Chicagoland! I wish I would have taken the day off. Unfortunately, my work schedule is still recovering from vacation. Since we returned, I haven’t had a normal week. I think I should be able to return to a normal schedule on Monday. With that in mind, however, I think about the East Coast of the United States. I wonder what they will be facing over the next few weeks as hurricane Irene is bearing down and passing over this weekend. My schedule being messed up by vacation seems insignificant compared to the threat of a hurricane. I think about the impact of a hurricane: evacuations, damage to property, flooded streets, trees uprooted, businesses closed, bodily injury, and so much more. I don’t know many people that live on the East coast, so my personal connection to what’s going on is weak. I will be watching with concern, and praying for the people on the East coast, and that Irene takes an unexpected turn East and out to the ocean.