Change in the Weather

I was doing something in the kitchen. Processing the figs for a cake perhaps or maybe just cleaning up after all the tomato slicing. I cannot really remember.  The weather has been hot and dry, but the figs are sweeter than ever and we have been pretty regular about soaking the garden beds for the tomato plants with the result of too many tomatoes to eat. Yet it had been so dry that even those hardy plants like the celosia in the ignored beds were reaching out for any drops of water.

I had left the TV running in the background when suddenly the newscaster was interrupted and that nasty high demanding beeping sound came on.   I turned to the television and in old courier text across the screen was the news from the national weather service that a tornado warning was in effect and one had touched down just to the north of me. Instead of heading to the basement like an intelligent person, I grabbed my camera and ran to the dock to see the changes in weather. Something I had not seen in weeks and weeks of dry sunny days.

It was a strange weather change with no dramatic wind shears. Almost as if the storm was too hot and tired to even move much less explode with energy.  Even the birds, tiny dots in the photo above (you have to click on the photo to barely see them), were ignoring mother nature's gentle warning as they cruised high above on the soft air.

I was glued to the spot.  Sky color is my primary clue for danger and this sky had no yellow-green angry hue.  It was gray and lovely.  Then, with the most gentle of changes in air, drops began to dance on the surface of the water...rain drops!  They fell making perfect pirouettes.  Perfect circles of celebration.

Every so softly and gently they tapped the mirrored surface.  There was no anger or rush.

 This was too late for the farmers corn, but welcome for other crops.  Welcome to fill the cracks that had formed in my lawn.  It was welcome to the tulip poplars that had been throwing yellow leaves like confetti across my driveway for weeks.  From the sound of bird song, I think it was a welcome change for them.  And even welcome to the ducks that had not seen their favorite weather in almost forever.