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. 

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. 

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. 

Beautiful Evening Sky

There is a reason I wanted to live on the west side of the building. I always liked the evening hours. When the weather is good, we sit on the balcony and watch the sun set - and play iPad games. Last evening was a bit cold to sit outside, but the sky was really lovely. It looked like cotton candy. My iPhone camera just didn’t do it justice but I couldn’t help but take a few photos because it was simply brilliant. Today may be the last warm day we will have this season. It’s supposed to go in to the seventies, but rain is expected late this afternoon in to the night. I really don’t mind the cooler temps as long as the sun shines. Pretty soon we will be bringing in the cushions from the chairs outside and turn the seating arrangement out toward the street so we can better see our winter pansies in the baskets hooked to the back of the sears - soon to be joined by Christmas greens and sticks. The seasons just keep changing and there’s no stopping them. Sometimes it’s nice to capture the moment. 

The Western Sky

I am not a morning person. I could stay up until 1 AM but force myself to go to sleep at midnight just to stay on a “normal” schedule. My husband is up at 6 AM - two hours earlier than me. Of course, when I was working I had no choice but to get up earlier. So when we moved to northern Virginia from Capitol Hill I wanted to make sure that we had a western sky exposure because sunset, dusk, or whatever its called was on our side of the building. Since my husband didn’t care one way or the other, it just made sense. When the weather cooperates we spend time on the balcony in the evening to play stupid iPad games. It passes the time, we play the game, but most importantly take in the lovely views. I never get tired of them. Even on the evenings we don’t sit outside I’m always looking to see if anything different appears. And so was the case a little while ago - things just looked interesting. And every so many minutes I check the view to see how it changed. Since I love taking photos, it was just another opportunity. As the summer turns to fall the sun is setting and tilting at a different place. I guess that’s what makes it all the more interesting. 

Pink Sky

When we moved to our condo in northern Virginia two years ago, we wanted to make sure we had a western exposure. Evening hours are my favorite time of the day. Our balcony faces west and it’s such a delight to sit there - especially in the warm evenings of summer. My husband and I play iPad games every evening and when it’s nice outside we will sit together and play. What makes it all the more enjoyable is watching the sun set as it casts a glow on everything around it. I really wish I was a morning person, but I’m not. I would rather take walks in the evening rather than the morning. But my husband is the exact opposite of me - except on the major issues in life. In those we are in perfect sync. I remember walking around campus after supper when I was in college to observe the lovely surroundings. So I really haven’t changed. The other day was exceptionally serene. Given the past year or more these small things take on a different meaning.