“According to the best estimates, in 2004 the Earth is predicted to cut through the densest part of the Perseid stream sometime around 7 a.m. ET on Thursday, Aug. 12. Activity could be high for a few hours on either side of that time. The late-night hours of Wednesday, Aug. 11, on through the first light of dawn on the morning holds the promise of seeing a very fine Perseid display.”

BTW, ylang ylang oil, mixed with equal parts water in a small spray bottle, makes a delightful mosquito repellent. Not quite as effective as Avon’s Skin So Soft bath oil, but neither is it ‘woodland fresh.’ It’s supposed to have a tranquilising effect on humans, and a slight aphrodesiacal influence (some say) as well. We’re in the thick of dead crows here, murders of them in fact. My blonde mosquito-bait tendencies mean my bedroom always smells woodland fresh in summer. I guess I should make it my preferred scent.

I’ve only seen fireflies once, in Central Park of all places. I’d like to live where they are, also where one or the other of the aurorae shows up, but I think that probably doesn’t go with my tropical fantasy…

And since you don’t have comments on your site, Eeksy,I’ll say it here, your post about the firefly lamps was, just, well, you so eaily make me gasp, what you write and how you write.

Um, wait, this is actually Mig’s site, isn’t it? Er, thanks, Miguel, for letting me use it for, extracurricular purposes…

There’s no reason to be overly worried, because fewer than 50% of those exposed catch the disease, and fewer than 50% of those infected actually die. Staying inside under the covers all night is an effective precaution, but don’t poke your nose out.