Cable service came on again this afternoon, as mysteriously as it had gone out this morning. Thus, I have Internet access, allowing me to post, and TV reception, allowing me to anxiously watch the Weather Channel.

Power still flows to my apartment, making it a popular spot for hot meals and showers. I’ve enjoyed the guests - coworkers who lost power.

Frances hit Marion County pretty hard, but not nearly as hard as other areas. Weather maps put Ocala about two-thirds of the way along the radius from Frances’ center, which left the state north of Tampa.

I ventured out to take pictures during a lull this morning, and got caught in the rain. At the town square, I shot a tree snapped in half with its crown hanging to the ground. On the way back, I took pictures of a downed cable line while standing fast against pelting rain. I saw numerous downed trees.

Without a doubt, this is the most significant weather event I’ve witnessed. Still, I know it’s nothing like the winds and rains that overcame other parts of the state.

At 8 p.m., a mandatory curfew took effect for the third straight night. Thunder and lightning have joined the milder (gusting to 30 mph) winds and rain, and forecasters expect thunderstorms for the next several days.

It’s one big soaking wonderland.