November 11th, 2020

Today is Wednesday.  Normally on Wednesdays, Joy and I are out hiking through some preserve, often getting lost,  taking a zillion photographs, chatting and just enjoying spending time together.  And we've been pretty darned lucky weather-wise.  During the entire rainy season,  our adventures have not once been called on account of rain.  Until today.  Dang.

The weather report in the above photo is wrong.  It suggests a 61% chance of rain.  Not true.  It is a 100% chance of rain and it's coming down hard too.  It's not just an ordinary rain storm either.  It's a tropical storm.  I'm not absolutely clear on what the difference is to be honest.  But I'm sure there is one.

Since this is November, it feels as if it tropical storms and hurricanes should be off the list of possibilities by now, doesn't it?  We've only lived here 4 1/2 years so it's not as if we were old timers who have seen it all,  but this is the latest by far that we've seen any tropical storm activity.  Generally speaking, by early October, it's over and done with. Which is just fine and dandy with us.

It's been a super busy hurricane/tropical storm activity year anyway so I guess it's not a complete surprise (to others, it was total surprise to us) but the rain that's beating against the windows right now is Tropical Storm Eta (pronounced Ada). And according to the weather app on my phone, will be upgraded to a Cat 1 hurricane by the time it makes landfall. Supposedly that event will take place tomorrow and a bit north of us. 

It's been the strangest dang tropical storm we've ever seen or even heard of.  First of all, it's so late to the party.  That last storm of this magnitude hereabouts that arrived in November was more than twenty years ago. Secondly, the track of this storm is nearly impossible for even the experts to predict.  It's been staggering around in the Gulf like a drunk, first heading in one direction and then another and then at the last second wandering off again.  And thirdly, it's been hanging out first in the Central America waters and now in the Gulf for freakin' ever. It's moving so dang slowly.    Which leads to the last point which is that since it's been so on again, off again, high/low, heading west/heading east and nobody knows what the heck is going to happen, nobody is really prepared.

Usually we have at least a week to secure things,  pick up necessities at the store, make sure we have batteries, fill sand bags, make a plan. This time, nope.

Monday and Tuesday (which were also on again/off again storm predicted) were a bust.  The sun broke through the clouds enough yesterday that Tim and I were able to do our noonwalk at the usual time.  It was gloomy all day Monday but the rain was just periodic sprinkle.  Today is completely different.

I understand that the jetty is closed today due to flooding and high waves.  There are currently 7 different weather warnings on my phone, two of which are tornado watches (!!!)  And meanwhile, I'm watching the wind blow palm fronds around, I see the rain falling steadily and it's cozy and comfy in the house with zero plans because normally I'm out hiking for most of the day Wednesdays and then editing photos for the rest of it.   I'm not absolutely certain what to do with myself on a non-hiking, non-photography Wednesday! Hmmmmm.  I need to give this some thought.

I'm sure I'll think of something.  I will say this. Last night's sunset was spectacular. I only saw it from the kitchen window but it was still beautiful.  It's something that I've noticed since we moved here.  The night before a storm, the sky is always exceptionally lovely.

My instinct is to spend the day either baking and/or reading.   But then, those are my go-to's on sunny days too and cloudy days and snowy days and.....well you get the idea.  Basically I cannot  blame that on the storm.  And I'm certain that there is something I needs to be done that will keep me busy all day.  I'll figure it out.  Eventually.

Meanwhile, wherever you are, Stay dry, Stay Warm, Stay Safe and enjoy your day!