The Weather.... .always!

Well, people out here like to talk about the weather. That's because it always gives us something to talk about. Today the weatherman has issued a warning for northern Illinois and the Chicagoland area, which includes us. They are calling for a derecho. This is the first time I've heard this term, although I've seen plenty of bow echoes. Evidently it involves a fast moving storm with hurricane force winds. They also mention that one blew through here last June. I remember it but I wasn't aware of what it was called. In the matter of about 15 minutes the weather changed from dead calm to gusts of 70 mph and believe me when I say the speed and ferocity certainly gets your attention. Everything that wasn't tied down took off. Thankfully a tornado didn't develop.

My biggest challenge is to convince the Other Mother that she can't go out in the yard to do "a little work". Like I said, last year's storm came in like a freight train. The car is safely tucked in the garage to avoid hail damage. Hail can total your car. I ran out to do a quick errand and although it was windy earlier today, now it's incredibly hot and humid and the air is dead still. That gives people in Illinois the creeps because the air is ALWAYS moving around here. Dead calm means "danger coming." So, I'm shutting down the computer and unplugging it to prevent a surge. I'm bringing in the lawn chairs and being thankful that we had the half-dead tree next to the house cut down a couple weeks ago. Phew!! Everyone stay safe. I intend to do the same with my sheltering plans in place. Like the Boy Scouts say, BE PREPARED!