Chris Erskine: First the fires, then floods, rebuild, repeat

I spotted a cloud the other day. It was a diaphanous thing - grayish white with poorly defined edges. But it was definitely a cloud. I appreciate the soft cadence of a cloudy day, so I was glad to see it back.

"Cheers, you stupid cloud. Where you been keeping yourself?"

Even the wind chimes sang as the storm moved in. It was like listening to Keith Jarrett warming up. It was Coltrane in the upper registers.

Then, finally, we