When
winter comes, its powerful winds whip through the streets while snow and sleet
batter the landscape. Potholes ruin the highways, and this week, I noticed a
gully forming alongside a road. It reminded me of driving in the California
hills where swerving too close to the edge might mean tumbling down a ravine.
Being close to the edge is spine-tingling, sort of like this:
The
townspeople don’t seem too worried, but as out-of-towners, we’d ride the Horse
Killer while gripping our seats. You know the name wasn’t based on children
enjoying pony rides. Standing on the edge might imply a downside and an upside. If feel like you’re
standing on the edge, who’s available to catch you before you fall or swoop in to
help you soar?
People do
the most unusual things in the oddest places. We have expectations when we
visit a fast food restaurant. We expect fast service, a convenient
drive-through window, and an adequate parking lot. This past week, I saw all of
that and more. During the dinner hour, in thirty-degree weather, someone
decided to wash their vehicle—wiping down the sides and shaking out the floor
mats—it was a full-blown effort. Why would someone choose a frigid day in a
restaurant parking lot to wash a car? Maybe an emergency event popped up, maybe
the driver got bored waiting for his not-so-fast-food. Maybe the driver was
related to these guys:
There’s a
time and place for everything and when we’re caught off guard by extinct
creatures hounding us, the results speak for themselves. Life’s full of
surprises and humor. I love the combination of little people legs and the great
growl. It’s nothing we’d expect to see on a normal work day. Let’s say today’s
the day and you’re in the right place. Before the moment passes, what important
action do you need to take?
The authorities sounded a warning alarm about a potential
storm. Even as weather people tracked the tornado moving from town to town, it
felt hard to believe a tornado would touch down here. So we didn’t prepare by
moving to the basement or following any of the precautions the weather people
suggested. Instead we watched TV and waited. The tornado touch down deadline
came and went and nothing happened—this time. We can ignore some warnings while
others demand our immediate attention. Check out this attention-grabber:
No one wants to be caught unprepared in a storm. Weather-related
surprises only cause stress and anxiety. Once the weatherperson warns us days
in advance about an impending storm, we have time to think about how to react
and which safety precautions we need to take. Unfortunately, some of life’s
storms happen overnight when we least expect them. What actions can you take now
to deal with life’s storms?
When the weatherperson predicts a storm, we flock to stores
grabbing much more than necessary for a one-day event. We clear the shelves of special treats and precious essentials. We overload our shopping carts with must-have items like bread, milk
and cereal, but I’m adding another necessity—kettlecorn. It is delicious. Don’t underestimate the salty, sweet snack because it
counts as a vegetable and a carbohydrate. Even better, if there’s a power outage, kettle corn doesn’t
require refrigeration. Also, the label says we can eat two
cups and still maintain a healthy calorie count. Barring the annoying kernels
that lodge between your gums and teeth, it has to be part of any storm readiness
plan. On the other hand, this should not:
Although the audio is difficult to hear, it sounds family-friendly.
Actually, we don’t need the audio to know that this isn't the place for selfies. I'm sure you can think of other storm non-essentials. If you didn't expect kettle
corn to appear on the list, what do you want in the middle of a
storm?
The
atmosphere feels wrong. With October over and the ghouls put away, we normally
tumble headlong into holiday preparations. The stores responded on cue by
selling everything we need to move forward, but given the 70-degree
temperatures, things feel off-kilter. The weather suggests showers, flowers,
and endless sunshine as if spring and summer are around the corner. Sea-saw
temperatures leave us guessing about what tomorrow holds. Let’s hope it’s not this
scenario:
We’re
living in unprecedented times, breaking records on all fronts—in the weather, in
the culture, and in our political climate. What unprecedented life event will
you always remember?
I’m a pseudo-meteorologist. You probably don’t hear that confession very often.My mother said that, as a child, I always asked about the weather conditions. At my house, my husband or kids seem to think I have the inside scoop on the weather. Almost daily one of them asks, “What’s the weather today?” and “How hot is it going to be?” Maybe it’s because they catch me listening to the forecast about twice a day, and more often when a big storm is predicted. I just like to be prepared for whatever comes.
Although I dread getting caught in bad weather, that’s exactly what happened last week. Driving home, a curtain of wind and rain slammed across the windshield. I don’t usually pull over during storms but the blinding rain obscured everything. I couldn’t see and I couldn’t pull over. The curvy road offered no shoulder for the faint – hearted. Fortunately only small branches littered the street and nothing fell into my path. After the storm, numerous split tree trunks testified to the storm’s strength.
A tornado‘s power is amazing, and one videographer managed to capture beauty amidst chaos. Take a look:
Despite a tornado’s massive size and destructive power, it can also create a majestic and tranquil scene. When you find yourself caught up in life’s storms, how do you reclaim peace?
Ever
notice how gloomy days affect our moods? Since the weather forecast calls for a
few more days of rain, we’ll may see a lot more frowns this weekend, and the early
setting sun might mean gloomy faces for the next six months. Even if the
weather outside is frightful, we know it’s not likely to get this bad:
https://youtu.be/zbgkeca1nPc
As cooler
weather moves in, let’s look forward to steamy bowls of chili, mugs of sweet
hot chocolate, and evenings huddled around a fireplace. We’ll make the most our
gloomy skies. Everything depends on perspective, for instance, despite reports
of terrorism and the divisive political climate, what’s the good news?
It appears our wet spring might morph into a scorching
summer. We longed for summer weather and here it is, but some folks are already
complaining about it. “Too hot, too hot,” they groan, and the humidity hasn’t even
kicked in. Some people believe the temperature’s perfect because, for them, it
can never be too warm. Personally, I prefer the milder spring and fall temperatures
when there’s no sweating or freezing. At least we don’t have to deal with this kind
of forecast:
Just another day at work. He acted as though the situation
was all part of the plan and kept going. We should, too instead of allowing unexpected
snafus to detour us from the hot pursuit of our goals. Let’s borrow the letter
carrier’s motto, “Neither rain, nor sleet, nor gloom
of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed
rounds,” and change it to neither sun, nor humidity, nor heat of day keeps a
persistent person from their appointed purpose.Now for the big question: What is your passionate purpose?
We’ve been spoiled by whopping seventy-degree temperatures
in December. Folks in our parts aren’t used to the -20° F
feel-like temperatures predicted for this weekend. When it comes to trudging
through those kind of conditions, people in Alaska are prepared. Are we ready
for what’s coming? We trot from car door to store door with nothing but a light
jacket. Unless you’re a skier, most of us don’t own a suitable selection of
warm hats, gloves, and winter scarves. If the polar vortex continues to bring more
bone-chilling weather, we’ll need to get prepared. Check out this out:
Pull out the bungee cord. It’s not the winter tool I
expected, but the guy must know something if he survives regular sub-zero
weather. Plus, he had the engine block running, so he’ll be good to go. Since
we’re unfamiliar with extreme conditions, guess what we’ll do? We’ll wind up
winging it. We’ll be creative and survive a few vortex days, but winging it doesn’t
always work. What happened the last time you went into a situation totally
unprepared?
Once the weather forecasters announce a major storm, the
flurry of activity begins.We
hunt for groceries to buy, salt to sprinkle, and gas to fill our vehicles. Afterwards
we race home to wait for the flakes to accumulate. Once we’re forced to suspend
normal activities—the magic begins. It’s those special times that wouldn’t
occur unless usual circumstance push us to do the thing we wouldn’t normally
have the time or energy to do. Things like this:
What’s done in the storm can be done in the sun, and the
unusual can be our norm. Let’s break the technology habit. Put down the phone,
the tablet, and the computer. Take time off from the bustle of your regular
schedule. Studies say we’re more productive when we pause to reenergize and
rejuvenate ourselves. The condition you’re in when you reach your destination makes all
the difference.
This week’s beautiful
weather almost made us forget what the future holds. Ignoring the red and
orange leaves, the high temperatures nearly convinced us to anticipate a second
summer. But, we know the truth, right? Get ready to smile if you enjoy cold
weather because, based on normal patterns, winter is on the way. No doubt about
it. Or is there?
In addition to
the cultural and political turmoil, the weather’s turning chaotic, too. Think
about the monster hurricanes, record heat, and unprecedented snow accumulations
we’ve seen. Forecasters think they can predict the weather until this happens:
https://youtu.be/iRtwv3v4Mq0
Given the unexpected news stories, the future is as unpredictable as ever. One of
the best ways to impact the future is to manage the present. If we want to see ourselves
at a specific place in the future (call it point C), we need to be prepared to
execute points A and B. What steps can you take now to impact your future?
Wind and
rain are two of our most powerful elements. Based on past hurricane seasons,
we’re familiar with the destruction they cause. Scientists discover and invent
so many incredible things, why can’t they control the weather? Maybe they can. See: https://www.intellihub.com/dr-michio-kaku-admits-government-weather-control-cbs-news/
For a fee, one
company offers weather–modifications, claiming to give you clear weather.
Cloud-seeding enables them to cause rain the day before your special outdoor event,
leaving you with sunny skies the next day for a wedding ceremony or company
golf outing. We’re closer to manipulating the weather than ever, and we’re
making progress in other areas, too. Take a look:
https://youtu.be/wMkorx3GzGM
Fascinating,
huh? Oh sure, those experimental findings seem beneficial—until scientists use their
powers for evil. Some of our greatest books describe what happens when others
control what we think, believe, and how we behave. If you had mind-controlling powers,
what thought would you implant in everybody’s mind?
It
feels like we’ve stepped back in time. Drenching rains every few days? Welcome to April—again!
If our unusual weather patterns continue, I may not have to complain about the heat
in July and August. Instead of the high humidity, we might see spring-like
weather with minimal sweating, less sunburn and hopefully, fewer bugs. A cooler
summer might translate into less pool time, but I’m willing to make that
sacrifice.If the seasonal switches
continue, October and November could become
the new summer months. The extra sunlight might force us to miss the beautiful
red and orange leaf displays we love. We may have to move Thanksgiving dinner to
a park and put grilled corn and turkey burgers on the menu.
It’s
interesting how changes in the weather, which might seem minor to us at first,
could cause a domino effect that alters our traditions and how we live.We aren’t the only ones to experience wonky
weather. Take a look:
Poor
kangaroos! They didn’t know what hit them. One person in a related video mentioned
that Australians should be heading to the beach during that time of the year,
not shoveling snow. If we took a poll, I wonder how many people would prefer seasonal weather
shifts. Our actual question for today takes a different slant, and that is: Why
do you think we’re seeing such unusual weather pattern changes?
From last week’s post we learned about a special light show that occurs over the Catatumbo River and Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela, South America.For centuries, people living near these two bodies of water have experienced over 150 lightning storms per year with each event lasting about 10 hours per night. If you researched this unusual weather, then you know the prior post skipped over an interesting tidbit.
Are you ready for this? Between January and April of 2010, the lightning ceased. We’re talking nothing, nada. Incredible! I can imagine puzzled people peeking outdoors and searching the night sky for a tiny sign of “normalcy.” Scientists offer differing theories for the lightning’s presence and its temporary absence. Some experts believe geography and gases from the surrounding waters cause the lightning so when the lake and river dried up due to drought, the gases also disappeared—no gas, no lightning. Let’s visit Venezuela to hear what the local people think.
Was it more startling to learn that this lightning show has existed for centuries or to hear that it stopped? Do you think people in this part of Venezuela have expressions based on their lightning? For instance, we might say, “As sure as day follows night, I’ll return,” but people living near the Catatumbo phenomenon might say, “As sure as the lightning comes, I’ll return.” Some things you can count on and other things you thought you could count on. After all these years, even Catatumbo lightning is undependable.
In our culture where people, places and things change at lightning speed, who or what can you depend on?
