Category: Weather

Weekend Sky #113, 8/26

Hammad Rais gives us the opportunity to share the lovely skies we see with the blogging world with his Weekend Sky challenge. Today I am sharing photos from early this morning that people in this area took and sent to the local TV station, KCCI, journalist Eric Hanson. I have never seen this phenomenon before and wanted to share these with you. These are Gravity Wave clouds. The rest of the pictures are even more amazing, I just wanted you to see this one to show how close to the ground they are without getting to the ground. Click on Eric’s name to go to his FB page for other pictures.

Photo taken by Austin Hamilton

I will try to explain this the best my poor understanding can. In the Midwest, we have been experiencing extreme heat and high humidity, typical for the South where I came from but not for here. And on top of that, you have the heat coming off of the corn that is ready to harvest, raising heat pressure against the cloud not allowing it to come down to the ground like fog. This long cloud rolls horizontally as it moves through the atmosphere in front of the front. At least the front will cool us off.

Early morning shots taken by Ashley Thompson

This picture was taken from on top of a wind turbine by Blake, a contractor for Vestas. I think we all know how tall those turbines are so it gives you some height reference. Below is a shot taken by Corey Lehman of this same bank from ground level. Kind of scary in my book. It remind me of the dust storm cloud pictures I have seen that cover the land in find dust.

Weather’s power and beauty keep us all looking toward the sky wondering what is next. As we study the beauty of the skies around us, remember to share that beauty in kindness. Kindness has a beauty that surpasses anything we may see in the sky.

It’s February, It’s Winter!

Winter in the midwest usually means snow…and if not snowing, its freaking cold. The front that came through today was scheduled to dump a good 5-7 inches of snow. Fortunately for me, the front stayed more to the north, so we only got 2ish inches, however it is still snowing but it is winding down.

And the temps are tolerable at 28-31 degrees. Last week it was 5 degrees with wind chills below zero – too cold, just too cold. But my baby Christmas trees look cute covered in snow. Both trees are the same age, however the smaller tree was decapitated by the dog chasing that dangerous mailman as he came down the sidewalk. I will be curious to see how it shapes itself as it grows.

And Saturday it is going to be in the low 40s – not typical February temperatures. It makes me concerned for March. I just want it to stay decent weather through next week as we are flying out to San Francisco. Spending a week with my daughter as we sample the fabulous food, sour dough bread…and chocolate. The weather there is not supposed to be great but I don’t need sunshine to eat.

I leave you with one last shot that I just took that I call “Snow by Streetlight”, lol. But it does depict the quiet peace we can so often miss in the beauty of any moment.

Be watchful for those moments, they may amaze you. And as always, remember the value of kindness and the beauty it creates.

Always be kind!

Weekend Sky #60, 3/26

Today we have more fun with Hammad Rais and Weekend Sky #60. I just had to play along as the sky today has been tumultuous, from rain to spiting snow and now the wind is crazy. We are under a wind advisory. BUT, it makes for great pictures. Even though I am no professional, it is fun to join in. So come show us your beautiful sky.

The Red Tailed Hawks are not even having to do anything but stretch out their wings and float on the currents of the wind. But the contrasting gray colors with the occasional blue patches of sky is what makes it so beautiful.

Since we are talking about weekend skies, I leave you with a sunset image of kindness for you to reflect on.

Always Be Kind enough so that the deaf may hear your kindness and the blind can see it.

Have a great weekend.

Winter or Spring? SMM Fun

Heavens Sunshine has a fun prompt for Monday’s of each week, giving you a week to get the post made, cuz some of us need more time…but the prompt is macro photography, Sunshine’s Macro Monday. Currently I use my phone but am hoping by fall I can buy a real camera, some things this phone camera will not do.

Well, it is currently 29 degrees in Iowa. Don’t know about you but that is not spring weather in my book and it’s April 14. When we had that beautiful spring weather last week, I did sneak out to the store and bought my first plant – it is currently living in my bedroom.

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This is a miniature Rhododendron and the bloom cluster is actually a little smaller than my thumb making the single bloom quite small.

As spring fully gets in gear, let the beauty of it bring you a smile. We are all living hidden in our homes soon this will pass. I am reminded in today’s devotion that while this may not be our final home, there are signs everywhere here of the beauty of that home. May you enjoy the beauty of spring and remember to always be kind, especially now where we are all just a little on edge.

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Back on the Air, Monday Windows, Snow

Hi, Hello, Howdy and How in the world are you? It’s been crazy since my last post . Friday of last week…5 days ago…all due to careless incompetence. If you remember I got a new roof, yea for that. But since I have satellite TV and internet the dishes needed to be carefully removed for later re-installation once new roof was on. So what did they do…cut the wires, let them fall to the ground and throw them in the roof trash trailer. Not what they were supposed to do. The company was very apologetic and paid for the replacements and said “good help is hard to find”, really…train your people correctly and then they become good help.

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It is amazing to me the different work ethics across the country as I have now lived in 6 different states but where I am now I believe has the worse. They do great work but fall short of that last 5% to complete the job. Its amazing.

All that being said, lets do a little catching up. Technically I am still in the allowed timeline for Monday Windows as I believe it’s a weekly prompt…so I want to show another beauty from our sanctuary. It shows Jesus’ Baptism.

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Again my camera is crooked, sorry.

Monday was also the first snow for the season. It was the best kind of snow – snowed during the night, beautiful to look at, streets were still clear and it was gone by lunch. If it snowed like that all the time, I would never mind the snow.

Plus it was Daisy’s first snow. It was a difficult time of keeping all 4 legs on the ground. Then we nosed a bush and the snow falls off scaring us because it moved…scary stuff. LOL.

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Today’s snow is a bit different setting records of earliest snow, coldest temps…and flooding. You know its bad when you get a flood warning and a snow warning on the same day. Yes, we are still flooded – not the major flood stage of 22′ like this spring but still the Mississippi is out of its banks and has been most of the year. That is crazy to think about. Special government programs are being setup for these people whose homes have been in water in some form for 8 out of the 10 months this year thus far. I would ask that those of you who are prayers to please remember the people along the Mississippi. I learned from my youth while living in Florida that you don’t want to be too close to the water. It can be a monster of unfounded proportions.

And finally a couple of pictures of today’s snow. It will still be snowing for a couple more hours; current temp at 28 but feels like 17.

The Trunk or Treat at the church has been cancelled more for temp concerns than snow as the snow can be cleared by then but the wind coming this evening will make the temps dangerous for small ones to be out in. The malls had their trick or treat last weekend so the kids got to do some there, as well as other indoor places that celebrated. And some communities just moved it to the weekend.

I feel the “white” season is among us. With higher than normal moisture in the air, we may see more of that stuff than normal. It does warm back up into the 40’s this week so it wont last but still…

So, I leave you with warm thoughts of kindness and love. May you feel the warmth of Christ’s love as it wraps around you and remember to always share the warmth and be Kind.

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Precious Time

In the mornings I read from Sarah Young’s devotional Calling Jesus. It really spoke to me this morning as I know today’s labors are going to be intense as I work to clean the damages of these intense spring rains in my flooded basement. It reminds you to turn your focus to Him first before dealing with the demands of the day. “Bring Him the sacrifice of your time. This creates a sacred space around you permeated with His Presence and Peace.” Jesus Calling, May 30

The Psalms also have many uplifting verses to help with you when you think no strength is left.

Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which can not be shaken but endures forever. Psalm 125:1

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105

Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth and it endures. Psalm 119:90

For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the sky. Psalm 108:4

So even when life seems to be drowning you, remember His hand is always reaching down to you, so reach up and grab it.

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In my reading this morning I also read a verse that goes along with how I always close…

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Hebrews 13:16. 

Some many think only of sharing physical items but sharing of your time when others are in a desperate need is critical. A simple smile and gentle hug can share the warmth of Christ to provide endurance to finish a hard task. So remember to share of you, which shares of Him, and be always be kind.

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Here We Go Again, #1LinerWed

You are probably as tired of hearing about this as I am tired of living through it.

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We are above major flood stage AGAIN

Do take into consideration we have yet to leave any flood stage status since March. Some areas along the Mississippi have been at flood stage since February 17th, 2019. On May 3rd we reached the new record of 22.7 feet and you can see the projected path on the chart above but that may change since we got 3″ Tuesday. For Memorial Weekend, a weekend we will remember, we took in 2.79 FEET of rain. And yes, my basement is flooded. There is simply no where for the water to go. And rain is in the forecast for the next week plus. So my dear friends in South Africa, I wish I could send you some of what we have. You don’t have enough and we have too much.

In this Friday, May 3, 2019, aerial file photo, flood waters from the Mississippi River surround Modern Woodmen Park in Davenport, Iowa. Officials in Davenport say the city's public works department has spent over $1 million on flood-fighting efforts and that figure will surely rise as more costs are added in preparation for the potential of future flooding.
In this Friday, May 3, 2019, aerial file photo, flood waters from the Mississippi River surround Modern Woodmen Park in Davenport, Iowa. Officials in Davenport say the city’s public works department has spent over $1 million on flood-fighting efforts and that figure will surely rise as more costs are added in preparation for the potential of future flooding. (Photo: Kevin E. Schmidt, AP)

As of Tuesday, more than 370 river gauges along the Mississippi were reporting levels above flood stage in the central U.S., the weather service said. And of those, 71 gauges reported major flooding. There is a reason the Mississippi River is called the “Mighty Mississip”.

But even with this tragedy, we can be ever thankful that there have been no fatalities. And as hard as it is, sometimes these tragedies bring out the best in us. So try to remember to always be kind. Even when frustrated beyond your means, take a deep breath and let go to allow God to shine, and be kind.

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Today is Wednesday and time for Linda G Hill‘s #1LinerWed. I know mine is longer than a line, sorry. But do come join in on the fun and say hi to everyone.

Beauty After the Storm? #1LinerWed

Usually there is a beautiful sunset and clearing sky after a storm has passed but today I captured a few sunset shots between the afternoon front and the 10pm front heading our way. Just what we need, more rain.

You cant really see both sets of storm clouds with the brightness of the sun, so once that was gone, I tried again.

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Wish my camera was better

Even in the ugliness of the storm, nature can also be very beautiful.

Because we do have cloudy conditions all around us, heaven forbid the internet work enough to write and post, so this is short.

As the storms of life swirl around, you can chose to be kind so I remind you to always be kind.

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