Stormy Skies

I didn’t like Florida because of hurricanes and water spouts. I didn’t like the Midwest because of snow, ice and blizzards. We left New England when I was six to get relief from icicles and snow. For whatever reason I always thought the eastern seaboard/mid Atlantic area would be a great place to live. Since we moved to DC a seventeen years ago there have been all of the above weather events including an earthquake! I even have three different umbrellas based on the type of rain that is falling. We have actually been luckier than most this year weather wise, but the threat of severe storms and tornadoes is more common that I would prefer. This week we had two significant events - so much so that the federal government employees were sent home early to avoid the chaos. We now live in a condo in northern Virginia and have a balcony that faces west. So we literally see the storms approaching.  I’m not the one who loves lightening and thunder either. But I do have to admit that some of the most interesting views come after the storm. The most recent event ended up turning in to a most unusual night sky that was hypnotically yellow as the sun was finally setting. I wish the weather didn’t have such an impact on me and any plans to do things around it. Maybe it’s better to be ignorant about what’s going on around you - but that’s never going to happen. 

Hurricane Ian is Too Close to Home

Whenever there is a weather event in Florida I get concerned. I grew up in Florida and went to college in Florida. I moved away after college but went home at least once a year ever since to visit with my parents. Now that they are no longer with us and since the pandemic, we haven’t returned. But my sister just bought a small condo not far from where our parents lived. My mom gave our house to the neighbors who took such wonderful care of her and none of us were interested enough to want it. Additionally I know a lot of high school classmates who still live there, and know of colleagues from the Midwest who moved there and other people in my past that have homes there for six months out of the year. Many people in our building have homes there for winter. So when hurricane Ian was on the books I knew it wouldn’t be good. My dad located our family on the west coast in 1960 because he was well aware of where the hurricanes typically hit. He was in the coast guard for over twenty years and knew that the west side of Florida was safer. And we didn’t live on the water either - just in case. I was always biting my fingernails whenever hurricanes hit when my mom was still alive. The last two resulted in evacuations. One of them was to a rehab unit quite far inland - she was recovering from hip surgery and there was no choice. She was not happy but at least it would be safer. This terrible hurricane Ian at least made landfall south of where it was originally intended so I felt better for all of the people we know. I am hopeful that my sister’s new condo survived the episode, but I’m sure that the neighborhood was affected because it is on the water. I never wanted to live anywhere near the water and I’m really glad we don’t. But it seems that even living inland doesn’t help much with monster storms like this. 

Storms, Hail, and Downed Trees

It started last night around eleven o'clock in the evening. The lightning just wouldn't stop. Then the wind gusts started and the torrential rains followed. The rain turned to hail the size of marbles and golf balls - I thought they would break our tiny glass patio table. It was scary enough. I don't like that sort of thing, although I know a lot of people who thrive on it! Then all the phones rang out with emergency flash flood warnings. You just knew there had to be some collateral damage, and this morning's walk showcased the outcome. It was thankfully a bit cooler than usual these last several days. Rather than being near 90 at 9:30, it was only in the 80's with lower humidity - one nice side effect? Our house sustained a broken downspout, and someone said their kitchen flooded. Near our house were a couple of downed very large trees - one of them smashing a car and both closing the streets. The sidewalks were filled with plant debris that will eventually clutter up the sewer system. I don't remember the weather being this horrible in Milwaukee where we lived for thirty years. And I don't ever recall hearing about DC having such storms, and earthquakes, and blizzards - only since we've been here the last ten years. I'm sure it could have been worse. But at night especially, it's just not my cup of tea. 

Chicago Rainstorms

Driving anywhere can bring with it interesting sights and sounds. And so was the case as we made our way from DC to Milwaukee. One of the more interesting sections is always getting through Chicago - and it's always a royal pain from the north of Indiana onward. We were also surrounded by extraordinary looking clouds. But amazingly enough, we seemed to dart in between the heavy rains as the freeway wound it's way past O'hare and the Windy City in the distance. I really don't like driving around in foul weather - who does? But once we saw the Milwaukee sign we knew it wouldn't be much longer. It's a path we have driven so many, many times before when we lived here for thirty years. We could finally turn the google maps off and just enjoy what was in front of us.  

The Tornado Lunch

It looked like it was about to storm when I walked home for lunch. As soon as I entered through the door my phone sounded a tornado alarm. The TV was also reporting an imminent tornado threat. Obviously it was not a typical restful afternoon break. I was pulling down shades to keep the glass from penetrating the room and planning a stay in the first floor windowless bathroom. It soon ended thank goodness. We used to get tornado warnings in Milwaukee and oftentimes heard the sirens ringing out. It hardly matters where you live... I was just glad to be home rather than at work. And it gave me time to swap out my rain shoes for my rain boots and hefty sized umbrella. It was still pouring when I left.  When I returned to my desk, the all clear notice was sent. There's always the threat of flooding around here, even if you live on a hill.