Gun Shots?

Nope. Just snow and ice from near the skylights and up at the peak of the roof, crashing onto the terrace tiles out back. I bet a few of those just cracked, as some of them did last year.

Sun? It's a good, good thing and I heartily welcome it after its prolonged absence for most of this new year. But that little bit of warm encouragement is also what's creating noises that sound like an avalanche on steroids, plus meteorites whistling around, bringing down the house around my ears.

We emailed the landlord, who is pretty picky about this rented house, when the snow and ice started building up way up there. We have none of our tools here, our ladder's not tall enough and I for one don't relish getting up on this steeply pitched roof. Afraid of heights and a greenstick fracture/broken leg, too, prudence always has been my middle name.

He and his new son-in-law will surely want to know about that "snap" I just heard, which is probably the corner metal downspout breaking free from the stucco or stone, which happened last year, too.

Too bad I'm sick. Or I'd go get a good look for him and let him know for sure.