We're all programmed to celebrate variety. Even Californians complain of constant unchanging good weather.

Not that they were expecting to be living in centrally heated comfort. But the rain drove them crazy. It took a toll on their spirits.

It's uncomfortable for people to pursue their normal routines. It's an inconvenience. Rain brings a lot of dark clouds and much less light, even at this time of the year.

The storm starts, when the drops start dropping
When the drops stop dropping then the storm starts stopping.

We're going to have bookend events with the weather, because it was perfect the first year here in '99. I don't want to jinx it, but if the last two years were 2 or 3 on a scale of 1 to 10, we're probably looking at an 8 or 9.

The weather is cooperating and helping us replenish supplies. The speculative frenzy that followed the hurricanes has cooled down. Lower refinery operating rates have led to rising crude-oil stocks as products have arrived from elsewhere.