The sky does fall.

In case you haven't the luxury -- some would say nuisance -- of 24-hour cable news stations, North Georgia is in the midst of some kind of drought. Lakes Allatoona and Lanier, the primary water sources of the region -- and Atlanta, in particular -- have receded to quite low levels, making for much public concern over possible water restrictions/rationing (lawn watering was banned some months back). Therefore, whenever rain is in the area, it's a highly exciting time. Today is such a day, as a constant drizzle has swept over Athens since early morning. It's not so exciting as the early morning thunderstorms of this past Friday (though it also hasn't soaked my clothes like that storm did -- at 7:00 in the morning on my way to teach, no less.) But still, the sight of any kind of water falling from the sky is a good thing. To celebrate, I'll take two showers today instead of one.

Trying to stave off working on a public budgeting homework assignment. Nothing like some budget-crunching to keep you awake on a rainy afternoon. Of course, that's not true at all -- I want little more than to go to sleep at this very instant, but I've wisely positioned myself in a public area so that there's little chance I get to feeling comfortable/audacious enough to do it.

(And now Norah Jones begins playing over the speakers in Panera, as though they misunderstood my last paragraph and thought I was asking for assistance in getting to sleep.)

The people across from my table are talking about the need to raise taxes a bit in the U.S. (due to our country's massive debt, among other things). They're right about the massive debt, that's for sure. I'll willingly admit that I am surprised to be sitting in Athens, Georgia listening to people discuss the need for a tax hike. Georgia. The South. Tax. Hike.

On Thursday, I'll leave for southwest North Carolina and the Great Smoky Mountains. Just a few days in a not-so-roughing-it cabin, complete with jacuzzi. But some quality hiking inside the Park should go on, in addition to the previously mentioned jacuzzi. Pictures to be taken, no doubt. Fall foliage should be coming in quite nicely.

Speaking of pictures, here's a few more from the trip to Washington, GA. Country roads, friends -- they're what the good life is all about.

My traveling companions.

The valley road (U.S. Route 78).

The country.

Small towns, big houses.