Friday, August 10, 2012

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.


18 comments:

  1. ha i love that everything was celebrating the change in weather...it is raining here as i write this...a wonderful wet morning...

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  2. I love this post so much!

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  3. Perfect circles of celebration - what a great description! I like running out to check the weather for myself, too. Someday we may both regret it but at the moment it seems sensible enough!

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  4. Happy dance . . .

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  5. What a wonderful way to start the day. Sigh!!
    A beautiful gentle rain and gorgeous skies!
    Hugs
    SueAnn

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  6. It's still raining gently this morning and a humming bird is sitting on the feeder pole, enjoying it.

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  7. We had our first real rain in weeks last night. I was out doing a happy dance in it.

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  8. Haha! Tornado warning and you run outside. That is SO me! I do the same thing. Thunderstorms too.
    We have had such a dry summer. The rain the last few days is so welcome.
    Beautiful shots!

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  9. My much needed rain was not circles of celebration but so heavy it flooded part of yard and downed another tree. But the drenching rain was needed.
    Wonder what is next in store. A little cooler today is the air around this cottage...

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  10. You have Rouens. I am so jealous.
    I have two ducks but my others have met the feeding-cycle of nature. . .

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  11. Love the photos and your description as well. This last year or two my desire for unique shots has caused common sense to fly out the window. I'm just fearless behind the lens. Your statement about the basement I could relate to! Had to chuckle.

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  12. very nice. this post left me with a lovely, peaceful feeling. love changes in weather, especially those you can see and feel.

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  13. Well told story. Very descriptive. You caught my attention because I thought I would hear about a tornado!

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  14. Well, duh! Pictures of your basement would have been boring. Maybe. :)

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  15. Lovely to hear and see. We're getting some much-needed rain here also the past few days. I can hear a storm approaching as I type.

    And yes, women with cameras do not run to basements.. we run to the action. Silly, maybe.. but .. nah!

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  16. G's phone began beeping just a little while ago. Flash flood warnings. Not at the beach, I said.

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  17. The clouds playing with sun-streaks, I love 'em.

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  18. Anonymous5:43 AM

    Its so brave of you to take pictures of the weather rather than ran to safety. Your bravery is worth it. The photos looks fantastic. The weather forecast isn't reliable nowadays. I don't know what's happening with them.
    paid per click

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Glad to hear from you once again. I really like these visits. Come sit on this log and tell me what you are thinking.