I was awakened early this morning by a popping sound outside. I lay there wondering if it had started raining already. Then voices. Then breaking glass; very large panes of glass cracking into pieces. Then finally, a chainsaw.

It was very close, maybe two houses down (houses are at most ten feet apart here). I walked through our dark apartment to the front window and opened the curtain, kind of already knowing what I would see: three fire trucks parked outside. I smelled smoke. I had a dim memory of hearing the sirens in a dream.

I went back to bed, but the chainsaw and voices persisted, so I am up, showered and dressed, at 6:45. We are out of milk. I feel like going to Arizmendi for pecan rolls and coffee. Hmmmm. That would be pretty crazy. But I am wide awake.