After the Storm Night Sky

Our balcony faces west. We wanted to face in this direction because I love dusk and sunsets. We haven’t been able to sit out on the balcony as much this summer because it has been too hot and stormy. And that was the case over the last couple of days as the hurricane Debby remnants passed through our part of the country. And as is typically the case after snowstorms and rainstorms, the sky seems to always change dramatically from the horrible to the beautiful. And I feel such a great sense of relief when it’s over. I’m not one for storms and hurricanes and tornadoes and lightning and thunder. So I am always happy when these weather events pass by quickly. Last evening was another case of the calm after the storm. My view from the couch shows the sky as it changes from dusk to dark. And oftentimes I take photos of the sky. My husband doesn’t understand what’s so remarkable about it. In fact when we were in France one summer our hosts were stupified that he had no interest at all in looking at the Milky Way. There is something magical and calming for me at this time of the day. 

Rain Clouds, Storms and Sun

It’s been extraordinarily hot for the last few weeks. When the forecast called for severe thunderstorms we made sure our electronic devices were charged because it’s not uncommon to lose electricity. So when the rain clouds were in sight we watched the sky turn from frightful to pouring rain to down right scary. Then the sun emerged from beneath the clouds and the rain started again. Then the sky color changed to a bright orange - which isn’t that unusual. But what was unusual was the emergence of another line of clouds that almost looked like a mountain range above the tree line. I had never seen anything quite like this before. I’m just glad that we chose to live on the west side of the building. You never know what might happen. 

Dusk Before the Storm

The sun is finally out after four days of dreary and wet skies. I usually don’t think of tropical storms living in Virginia. But with the crazy weather and hurricane season anything is possible. So when we learned we were going to be in Ophelia’s path I wasn’t looking forward to the long dark weekend through yesterday. But on the Friday evening before the upcoming storms the skies were simply beautiful. It was almost ethereal. My husband doesn’t get why I love looking at the evening sky. When we moved to northern Virginia from Capitol Hill four years ago we made sure we had a western view for the purpose of seeing the sky at dusk. He wasn’t even moved by the Milky Way that we saw in southern France with his old medical school colleague and family. I thought it was cool. But then we had a telescope when we were youngsters and enjoyed looked at Venus and the constellations. So as the sky changed from early to late evening the oranges and reds and hues came to life. I’m looking forward to the next time. 

Evening Sky Drama

When we moved to northern Virginia over three years ago from Capitol Hill, one of the requirements was that the balcony face the west. I absolutely love the evening sky and really dislike the bright light in the morning. My husband is a morning person. I wish I was but I’m just not. So it is with great anticipation that I look forward to that time of the day. The last few evenings have been more than fantastic. There are two times during the year as the seasons change to fall and spring that the sun hits the dining room mirror and rainbows of light cascade all over the house. Outside the sky color is simply lovely. Whenever the temperatures and weather permit we also like to sit outside and play games on my iPad. Or, during the later afternoon we will just sit outside to enjoy the pleasantness around us and have a conversation. We are never outside for a morning cup of coffee! During the week there is a lot more traffic, foot traffic, and activity that is observed from above. On the weekend it’s almost too quiet. These next few days will be wet, cold and dreary due to hurricane Ian but we are so thankful that we didn’t have to deal with that. Having grown up in Florida I would never, ever live near the water. My poor mom had to be evacuated to higher ground after having hip surgery a few years ago. It’s nerve wracking to know people affected by such catastrophic events. So we hope to continue to enjoy our views from our little balcony. We don’t ask for much. 

A View From the Balcony

I can tell that it is getting to be the end of summer. The sun is beginning to make its way back over from the far most western spot in the evening sky. I know because it hits me directly in the eyes from where I sit on the couch right before supper time. It direct sunlight also strikes the large mirror on the dining room wall and cascades rainbows all over the room. In the spring the same thing happens - but there is the anticipation of summer. Now it becomes the anticipation of fall. But fall is followed by winter - and that’s not my favorite season by any stretch of the imagination. So during these last few weeks it’s worth any time to spend on the balcony to see the beautiful golden skies and the serene atmosphere. Sometimes we will spend a bit of time playing iPad games before we settle in to watch tv for the evening. I always preferred the western view and it was a prerequisite prior to moving away from Capitol Hill. It’s much too hot to sit outside during the day time, but it’s beautiful in the early evening. I’m just glad we have a tiny place to enjoy the view. 

A Very Stormy Sky

It was a wild weather day yesterday. Usually we remove the cushions from the chairs on the balcony so they don’t get wet when a storm is on the way. Yesterday we did the same. But it was different this time. The winds were almost hurricane force and the cushions didn’t stay where we usually put them. So I ran to bring them in to the house - getting soaked on my backside with the torrential rain. Once inside you could hear the hail hitting the windows. After the mayhem things seemed to subside a bit, but the sky remained grey and soupy. All of a sudden the gloomy atmosphere turned almost red. But the lightning and thunder continued. I don’t believe we have ever experienced the skies as they looked following this storm. A tiny slice of sunlight peeked out from under the foreboding clouds and cast an unusual pattern. It was so wet and humid and all so mesmerizing. Apparently we were spared the worst of the wind and rain - usually the power goes out when it’s that bad. We were very lucky this time. I’m not much for storms and such even if the end result was rather spectacular. 

Sunset View From the Balcony

Sunset is the prettiest and most peaceful time of the day - for me. It seems a lot of people prefer sunrise. But I am not one of them. For as long as I can remember I hated getting up in the morning. I was always a later night type of person. So it’s a balancing act when your husband is a day person and you are not. I remember as a college student walking on campus in the early evening. It was so lovely and I was so content. So when we moved to northern Virginia three years ago from Capitol Hill I wanted to make sure we had a view of the western sky. And the last thing I wanted was a bright light in the bedroom in the morning - the black out shades are a big welcome regardless. It’s still a bit too early to sit on the balcony in the evening hours, but the skies always look so interesting. When it warms up we sit out and play adventure hidden object games on my iPad for a while before we settle in to watch TV. So the other evening was quite interesting and I captured the view a few times. I really wish I was a morning person for so many reasons. It’s supposedly more healthy to enjoy the start of the day. But I’ll take the sunset anytime.