>A Change in the Weather

>The weather folk promise a break in the skull-cracking heat wave we’ve been having for the last month or so. I’ve been doing my part: watering the lawn, washing the car. Both sure fire methods of brewing up a rainstorm.

Might be working. Take a look at the skies from yesterday evening:

The same view, Ansel Adams style:

We got no rain from those but at least it was a welcome change from the usual blazing skies of late August. We’ll miss that in a few months but for now we’ve had enough, thank you very much.

>Summer Heat

>I’d say it’s hot:

That’s Emily in the mirror, smiling. It’ll take more than a few days of 100 plus temperatures to bring her down.

When The Rain Comes

Yesterday’s commute was certainly different:

Storms dropped about 10 inches of rain on at least one part of Oklahoma City on Monday, flooded neighborhoods, closed some interstates, stranded motorists and left some residents clinging to trees and awaiting rescue.

The training storms also led authorities to declare a state of emergency in 59 of Oklahoma’s 77 counties.

Officials reported more than 50 rescues of residents and stranded motorists in the Oklahoma City area. The state Health Department reported nearly 140 injuries, but none that required hospitalization. No deaths were reported.

It was raining when I left for work but I had no clue of what was in store. I-35 was jammed up at the I-240 exchange but it usually is. By then, though, I had an idea of what was in store, so I got off and went over to Eastern Avenue and headed north. It was mostly clear in that direction but at the I-40 exchange, traffic began to back up again. I could feel the bridge swaying over the Canadian River – that’s where the last dam is and the gates were open wide and river was blasting through in torrents.

I got onto I-40 with the hopes of traveling north faster on I-35 but it was jammed up there as well for no apparent reason. I managed to get off at 10th street and work my way back West back on to Eastern and traveled north again. No trouble on that route until I reached the Springlake Vo-Tech; a creek had overrun its banks there and the crossing was treacherous. Several cars had stalled out but pickup trucks and SUVs were getting through and I did, too, but not without some heavy duty steering wheel gripping.

I continued on without trouble. At the light at I-44, the Deep Fork Creek was just about up to the bottom of the bridge; it wouldn’t take much more before the road would be flooded there. I worked my way up to 63rd and then headed west. The traffic began to back up around the Cowboy Hall of Fame – cars were coming off of I-44 at Kelly and then further up 63rd another creek had spilled over and people were turning back so things were tied up for quite a while. When it was my turn, I had little trouble crossing the creek and after that it was clear the rest of the way into work.

I was the second to arrive and as the day wore on the rest of the crew managed to make it in with their own thrilling tales of travel. The rains let up, the waters receded and by the afternoon it looked like the drive home would be a much different story. More rain was predicted so it was wise to head out early.

I was too busy driving and too stupid to think to take my own pictures but these’ll give you an idea of how things were:

Click through the link above for more pictures.

Snow Won’t Stop the IRS

In case you were worried:

The IRS says its ability to process tax returns and pay refunds in a timely manner will not be hampered by back-to-back snowstorms that crippled Washington and much of the U.S. Northeast this week.

Federal agencies including the IRS were in their third day of weather-related closure as blizzard conditions swept through Washington Wednesday. That came at an inconvenient time for the tax agency, with the 2010 filing season coming into full swing. But with all individual return processing now performed outside of the northeast at centers in places like Fresno, Calif., Atlanta, and Kansas City, taxpayers need not fear that refund checks or answers to questions through IRS toll-free services will be delayed, said IRS spokeswoman Michelle Eldridge.

Yes, the relentless machinery of the IRS grinds on. To paraphrase some dialogue from a certain movie 25 years ago:

Listen, and understand. Th(e) (IRS) is out there. It can’t be bargained with. It can’t be reasoned with. It doesn’t feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it absolutely will not stop, ever, until you are (taxed).

More Ice Storm Pictures

Just some quick shots I took when I stepped out yesterday to start digging out. Though it looks like calling this thing an ice storm may be a misnomer – it looks like we got plenty of snow. We did, it’s just that under all of it, is up to an inch of ice. No spectacular damage like this time last year in Arkansas so we’re lucky. (Click on over to see what damage can really look like. Then stay around for a great blog. Ice storm damage link helpfully provided by Bruce, who has a wonderful blog as well.) Here are my pictures from last year, which will give you a link to my ice storm pictures from two years ago.

The snow piled high on our trash cans gives you an idea of how much we got. Roughly half the amount of last month’s blizzard:

Icicles sparkle in the morning light:

The snow before I tromped through it to get to the back yard and shovel a way out for the dogs:

Rachel’s car before the big dig. Can you dig it? I did. Dug it out, I mean.

Nope, nothing like it had been, nothing like it could’ve been. We’re blessed, indeed.

Ice Storm 2010

So the ice storm came and stayed around awhile like an unexpected, and unwelcome, guest over the holidays. You kept looking at your watch, wondering when it would leave, and buddy, it ain’t going nowhere.

Everyone stayed home on Friday. Clara could work from home; so could I and we did. The girls, like kids on all snow days everywhere, parked it in front of the TVs and the dogs wandered throughout the house, whining occasionally to be let out and then barking to be let right back in. Cold out there, boss. And snow. Did you know about the snow? The day like that, one long smear, punctuated with looks out of various windows to see how bad things were and if it had ended yet.

A good marker? The length of icicles on Miss Betty’s house next door. They started out as nothing but just kept getting longer and longer and longer:

The holly tree tips over. I’ll tie it back again when the weather clears but it’s just not built to take an ice load.

The hummingbird feeder is a hopeful leftover from summer. You can see the sleet and snow stacking up in the in the bird bath. Not too bad. Not just yet.

The maple in the front yard, glazed in ice. Not a soul stirring on the street or in Miss Ronda’s house across the street. Nothing to do but watch.

Our own icicles are growing. The gutters are dammed up with ice and we’ll have to watch inside when it melts to see if we don’t get some leaks. Probably not; it’s rarely happened in the past.

Snow dog! I tweeted this picture. Pepper likes the snow more than Lucky but they’ll both come in covered with snow dingleberries. when they’re done romping for a place to take care of business.

The snow fell heavier throughout the afternoon but finally stopped around 6:00 or so. I’d say we got about 6 inches. A good amount over an inch or so of ice so we got it good. But not nearly as bad as we’ve had it before. So we’re grateful for that.

Nothing to do now but dig out.

Frightful Weather

We’ve got a dome of polar cold air settling around here for the next few days; lows will be in the single digits and we won’t see above freezing temperatures again until probably Sunday. That seems about on par with what the rest of the country is going through. It’s cold, even as far south as Florida. But then it’s Winter so what do you expect?

So it’s cold. Record breaking cold? Not really. Sure, it’s been awhile since we’ve had something like this – I recall reading something the other day in the paper that the last time it was this cold, Clinton was President. We’ve been through this before. We’ll get through it. We’ll go through it again.

Surprisingly, some school districts are closing down. No, not because of any precipitation – there hasn’t been any – but because some students may not have the proper clothing to withstand walking to school or waiting outside for the bus. I just deleted a longish rant about the cowardice of the school districts but you know what? Never mind. This is just he kind of leadership you can expect from our government officials. When the going gets tough, they’ll fold like a cheap pup tent.

As of right now, the girls’ schools are still open so it’s up and at ‘em as usual.

Storm Approaching

While I was squirting pictures from my cell phone to my laptop, I came across a shot I’d taken last Tuesday of the approaching thunderstorms that blew through here that evening.

 

Taken on the run while on our way to the Y.

Storm Approaching

While I was squirting pictures from my cell phone to my laptop, I came across a shot I’d taken last Tuesday of the approaching thunderstorms that blew through here that evening.

 

Taken on the run while on our way to the Y.

Summer Weather

Wasn’t I talking about the weather just the other day?

No sooner than I talk about the blessings of the fine weather we’ve been having when a nice summer storm came rolling through Tuesday night. Rachel came home from her summer night wanderings soaking wet and that was just from dashing from the driveway to the garage. Nice lightning and rolling thunder, no threat of tornadoes. Next morning, Wednesday, light rain and low clouds and cool. A perfect day for staying in and looking outside and maybe sneaking in a nap.

Exactly two years ago, while we were on vacation, it rained for two weeks straight. We sweated things as we read about it in the news – we’d had a small leak in the roof and my temporary fix was to put a bucket under the source in the attic until we could get it repaired. Upon arrival home, we were relieved to find it only half full. But it just shows you, rainy days are still possible in June in Oklahoma. There are blessings to be had every day.

>Summer Weather

>Wasn’t I talking about the weather just the other day?

No sooner than I talk about the blessings of the fine weather we’ve been having when a nice summer storm came rolling through Tuesday night. Rachel came home from her summer night wanderings soaking wet and that was just from dashing from the driveway to the garage. Nice lightning and rolling thunder, no threat of tornadoes. Next morning, Wednesday, light rain and low clouds and cool. A perfect day for staying in and looking outside and maybe sneaking in a nap.

Exactly two years ago, while we were on vacation, it rained for two weeks straight. We sweated things as we read about it in the news – we’d had a small leak in the roof and my temporary fix was to put a bucket under the source in the attic until we could get it repaired. Upon arrival home, we were relieved to find it only half full. But it just shows you, rainy days are still possible in June in Oklahoma. There are blessings to be had every day.

Summer’s With Us

Summer’s not here yet, according to the calendar, but weather-wise, we’d do no harm if we all got together agreed it’s arrived. Warm, but not unbearably so, with some threat of rain today. Haven’t had rain for about a week or so and before that we’d had a good, steady supply. The rain is bound to trail off, as the season dictates it should, but for now we’re enjoying a world of green. Get back to us in about six weeks and everything will change.

>Summer’s With Us

>Summer’s not here yet, according to the calendar, but weather-wise, we’d do no harm if we all got together agreed it’s arrived. Warm, but not unbearably so, with some threat of rain today. Haven’t had rain for about a week or so and before that we’d had a good, steady supply. The rain is bound to trail off, as the season dictates it should, but for now we’re enjoying a world of green. Get back to us in about six weeks and everything will change.

>Spring Break

>We’ve been lucky and blessed this week with good weather for Spring Break. Forecast says that may change today but this time of year we’re glad to have the mild weather. It wasn’t so long ago we had ice and it won’t be long before the searing heat begins.

Spring Break hasn’t been too much different this year than prior years. We don’t go anywhere – we marshal our traveling assets for the summer and smaller trips throughout the year – so it’s pretty laid back. The girls have fallen into their routines and they get a chance to re-charge their batteries before the final push towards the end of another school year.

Which is what’s astounding: another Spring Break is winding down. More behind us than there are ahead of us. Better make ‘em count.

Spring Break

We’ve been lucky and blessed this week with good weather for Spring Break. Forecast says that may change today but this time of year we’re glad to have the mild weather. It wasn’t so long ago we had ice and it won’t be long before the searing heat begins.

Spring Break hasn’t been too much different this year than prior years. We don’t go anywhere – we marshal our traveling assets for the summer and smaller trips throughout the year – so it’s pretty laid back. The girls have fallen into their routines and they get a chance to re-charge their batteries before the final push towards the end of another school year.

Which is what’s astounding: another Spring Break is winding down. More behind us than there are ahead of us. Better make ‘em count.

>March Snow

>It’s not quite Spring so maybe we shouldn’t be surprised by yesterday’s dusting of snow. The first year we came to Oklahoma from Florida, it snowed the first day of Spring. Several inches, too! Stranger than snow to us warm-climate types was being sent home because of the weather. Little did we know.

It didn’t stay around long and cause no trouble at all for driving. We might get a little more but for now it’s just cold and a little wet. It’ll be warm for good before long but for now Winter’s having its last word with us.

March Snow

It’s not quite Spring so maybe we shouldn’t be surprised by yesterday’s dusting of snow. The first year we came to Oklahoma from Florida, it snowed the first day of Spring. Several inches, too! Stranger than snow to us warm-climate types was being sent home because of the weather. Little did we know.

It didn’t stay around long and cause no trouble at all for driving. We might get a little more but for now it’s just cold and a little wet. It’ll be warm for good before long but for now Winter’s having its last word with us.

>Storm System Batters South Coweta

>The day after Aunt Toni got home, tornadoes slammed her hometown:

At least one tornado touched down Wednesday evening in Coweta County doing extensive damage to southern portions of the county.

She was all right – she was on the road to the river house when the tornado watch commenced but everything was all right back at her house.

Her daughter, Shannon, though, had a close call. She works at, and lives near, Bear Creek Farm:

Residents of Fincher Road at Bear Creek Farm in Moreland were at home when the tornado struck. The funnel snapped a row of approximately 50 trees, brought down power lines and damaged portions of a fence — among other things.

Guy Cooper and his wife were at home on their 1,200 acre farm when, without warning, they heard “roaring — like a train coming,” said Cooper. Then, the power went out and they heard a loud bang. The husband and wife made it safely to a closet before the tornado ripped through their property.

“It came and went very quickly,” recalled Cooper. He said he counted a matter of minutes between first hearing the roar and being left in silence.

“As quickly as it came, it left — and it left a path of destruction,” Cooper continued. “We were very lucky, though.” He was grateful that no horses or livestock died, and his house was not damaged.

Holy moley! But Shannon was all right, too. Some spooky moments in the hallway of her house with her whimpering and shivering dogs but they made it just fine. The electricity was out overnight but it was back on in the morning.

So, a close call, averted. Lucky, I’d say.

(Here’s Shannon’s page from the Bear Creek Farm website. I can’t download the picture so click through to see her in action.)

Storm System Batters South Coweta

The day after Aunt Toni got home, tornadoes slammed her hometown:

At least one tornado touched down Wednesday evening in Coweta County doing extensive damage to southern portions of the county.

She was all right – she was on the road to the river house when the tornado watch commenced but everything was all right back at her house.

Her daughter, Shannon, though, had a close call. She works at, and lives near, Bear Creek Farm:

Residents of Fincher Road at Bear Creek Farm in Moreland were at home when the tornado struck. The funnel snapped a row of approximately 50 trees, brought down power lines and damaged portions of a fence — among other things.

Guy Cooper and his wife were at home on their 1,200 acre farm when, without warning, they heard “roaring — like a train coming,” said Cooper. Then, the power went out and they heard a loud bang. The husband and wife made it safely to a closet before the tornado ripped through their property.

“It came and went very quickly,” recalled Cooper. He said he counted a matter of minutes between first hearing the roar and being left in silence.

“As quickly as it came, it left — and it left a path of destruction,” Cooper continued. “We were very lucky, though.” He was grateful that no horses or livestock died, and his house was not damaged.

Holy moley! But Shannon was all right, too. Some spooky moments in the hallway of her house with her whimpering and shivering dogs but they made it just fine. The electricity was out overnight but it was back on in the morning.

So, a close call, averted. Lucky, I’d say.

(Here’s Shannon’s page from the Bear Creek Farm website. I can’t download the picture so click through to see her in action.)

Deadly Weather

We’re fine but folks further south of us got hit bad:

With at least 15 confirmed dead after a massive tornado Tuesday evening, Carter County emergency officials were forced to suspend the search for survivors shortly after 1 a.m. until daylight Wednesday.

“It’s just too dangerous,” Sheriff Ken Grace said, referring to jagged metal and live wires hidden in rubble and debris. “We don’t need to be adding any more injuries to what we already have.”

Sheriff’s officials said this town of about 5,000 people was devastated when a tornado estimated to have been about a half-mile wide tore through the middle of Lone Grove, ripping buildings from their slabs, demolishing dozens of mobile homes and snapping any trees and power lines in its path.

The storms exploded around 2:30 – the day was clear and sunny and cool and then in over the span of 30 minutes, things turned dire.

The view from my office window:

Ominous. The panels of light in the sky are reflections from the lights in my office. Here’s a more straight on shot without the reflections.

Things got more ominous before they got better:

The tornado sirens went off three times before finally giving up. By the time it was to head home, things were improving:

At home, we’d had only some rain and wind but the girls’ color guard practice had been cancelled. Or, rather, Emily’s had, but then Rachel’s was back on when it became clear the weather had passed us by, for the most part.

Later in the evening, when the storms mentioned above came through, we had more rain and thunder and lightning and hail. The dogs were on the patio and were properly wigged out. Lucky couldn’t stop shaking until the storm had passed.

Well, like I said, we’re fine, so we’ll pray for those people not so fortunate.

Deadly Weather

We’re fine but folks further south of us got hit bad:

With at least 15 confirmed dead after a massive tornado Tuesday evening, Carter County emergency officials were forced to suspend the search for survivors shortly after 1 a.m. until daylight Wednesday.

“It’s just too dangerous,” Sheriff Ken Grace said, referring to jagged metal and live wires hidden in rubble and debris. “We don’t need to be adding any more injuries to what we already have.”

Sheriff’s officials said this town of about 5,000 people was devastated when a tornado estimated to have been about a half-mile wide tore through the middle of Lone Grove, ripping buildings from their slabs, demolishing dozens of mobile homes and snapping any trees and power lines in its path.

The storms exploded around 2:30 – the day was clear and sunny and cool and then in over the span of 30 minutes, things turned dire.

The view from my office window:

Ominous. The panels of light in the sky are reflections from the lights in my office. Here’s a more straight on shot without the reflections.

Things got more ominous before they got better:

The tornado sirens went off three times before finally giving up. By the time it was to head home, things were improving:

At home, we’d had only some rain and wind but the girls’ color guard practice had been cancelled. Or, rather, Emily’s had, but then Rachel’s was back on when it became clear the weather had passed us by, for the most part.

Later in the evening, when the storms mentioned above came through, we had more rain and thunder and lightning and hail. The dogs were on the patio and were properly wigged out. Lucky couldn’t stop shaking until the storm had passed.

Well, like I said, we’re fine, so we’ll pray for those people not so fortunate.

>Obama Dozed, People Froze

>Victoria over at Sundries spares Obama little in her take-downof his handling of the ice storm in Kentucky – hundreds of thousands are without power and, nationwide, 55 deaths have been blamed on the storm.

Of course, the media’s coverage is largely favorable but there’s no point in complaining. It’s no secret that Obama can do no wrong and, in this case, I’d defend his actions as I would’ve Bush’s in the Katrina disaster: a President, and his government, can only do so much in the face of a natural disaster and there are always going to be people who think something more could’ve been done.

The ice storm was a bad thing but bad things happen and the government can’t do it all. It’s too bad the media wasn’t as generous with Bush as they have been, so far, with Obama.

Obama Dozed, People Froze

Victoria over at Sundries spares Obama little in her take-downof his handling of the ice storm in Kentucky – hundreds of thousands are without power and, nationwide, 55 deaths have been blamed on the storm.

Of course, the media’s coverage is largely favorable but there’s no point in complaining. It’s no secret that Obama can do no wrong and, in this case, I’d defend his actions as I would’ve Bush’s in the Katrina disaster: a President, and his government, can only do so much in the face of a natural disaster and there are always going to be people who think something more could’ve been done.

The ice storm was a bad thing but bad things happen and the government can’t do it all. It’s too bad the media wasn’t as generous with Bush as they have been, so far, with Obama.

>Bipartisanship and the Weather

>At last, there’s something I can agree with Obama about:

After his daughters got a snow day Wednesday, President Barack Obama wants to see a little bit of “flinty, Chicago toughness” applied locally.

“When it comes to the weather, folks in Washington don’t seem to be able to handle things,” a joking Obama told reporters Wednesday morning.

“My children’s school was canceled today because of what? Some ice.”

Today’s the third day the girls are home from school. No, all of the streets aren’t bone dry and clear but they’re perfectly passable, especially on the main streets. I’m sure it has everything to do with the “safety of the children” but, come on. We’re burning snow days here, snow days we may still need later in the year. It’s just late January.

Emily’s perfectly fine with it; Rachel less so.

Well, maybe tomorrow. For now, I’m glad to be in complete agreement with the President.

(And how likely to you think it will be that I’ll use the tags I’ve used on this post again? Looks like the weather is a great uniter.)

Bipartisanship and the Weather

At last, there’s something I can agree with Obama about:

After his daughters got a snow day Wednesday, President Barack Obama wants to see a little bit of “flinty, Chicago toughness” applied locally.

“When it comes to the weather, folks in Washington don’t seem to be able to handle things,” a joking Obama told reporters Wednesday morning.

“My children’s school was canceled today because of what? Some ice.”

Today’s the third day the girls are home from school. No, all of the streets aren’t bone dry and clear but they’re perfectly passable, especially on the main streets. I’m sure it has everything to do with the “safety of the children” but, come on. We’re burning snow days here, snow days we may still need later in the year. It’s just late January.

Emily’s perfectly fine with it; Rachel less so.

Well, maybe tomorrow. For now, I’m glad to be in complete agreement with the President.

(And how likely to you think it will be that I’ll use the tags I’ve used on this post again? Looks like the weather is a great uniter.)

Ice Storm Pictures

After I got Clara home, I had to run back out to get her ‘scrips filled. Did I have my cell phone camera with me? I did! That means first-hand pictures of the ice storm.

Into our ‘hood, looking through the windshield. Those blurs are water drops on the windshield:

Bleak enough for you? No? How about this? (More water drops near the bottom of the picture.)

I color-corrected through Picasa so if things look a little washed out, that’s why. (Uncorrected, everything looks too blue and gray.)

Here’s the house:

The last ice storm caused those trees near the house to bend all the way to the ground. So, no, things aren’t as bad as then. But it’s still not much fun.

(Go here to see my pictures from the 2007 ice storm and go here for a couple of shots from my office window of the same ice storm. Posting those pictures here would only confuse things, wouldn’t it?)

Ice Storm Pictures

After I got Clara home, I had to run back out to get her ‘scrips filled. Did I have my cell phone camera with me? I did! That means first-hand pictures of the ice storm.

Into our ‘hood, looking through the windshield. Those blurs are water drops on the windshield:

Bleak enough for you? No? How about this? (More water drops near the bottom of the picture.)

I color-corrected through Picasa so if things look a little washed out, that’s why. (Uncorrected, everything looks too blue and gray.)

Here’s the house:

The last ice storm caused those trees near the house to bend all the way to the ground. So, no, things aren’t as bad as then. But it’s still not much fun.

(Go here to see my pictures from the 2007 ice storm and go here for a couple of shots from my office window of the same ice storm. Posting those pictures here would only confuse things, wouldn’t it?)

Ice Storm

It’s been a little over a year since we’ve had a significant ice storm. This one’s much less severe than that last one but it’s giving us a run for the money, nonetheless. Schools are closed and I’ve closed the office – Clara and I are busy today with her follow up procedure to her kidney stone incident – possibly more about that later – and good thing: it’s treacherous out there. (Though not impassible.)

No pictures of my own so let’s get something from The Daily Oklahoman:

Yeah, it’s that bad.

>Ice Storm

>It’s been a little over a year since we’ve had a significant ice storm. This one’s much less severe than that last one but it’s giving us a run for the money, nonetheless. Schools are closed and I’ve closed the office – Clara and I are busy today with her follow up procedure to her kidney stone incident – possibly more about that later – and good thing: it’s treacherous out there. (Though not impassible.)

No pictures of my own so let’s get something from The Daily Oklahoman:

Yeah, it’s that bad.

November Weather

It’s been unseasonably warm for November but that may come to an end. A cold front’s coming but it’s been windy and warm all day, just like Spring. And just like Spring, the approaching front looks ominous.

This is looking north from the parking lot of my office building. The clouds look full of tornadoes to me, though that’s unheard of in November, right? Right?

Update – Well, it turned into a real Spring storm all right: wind, rain, lightning, hail, tornado warnings. Didn’t let up until nearly 10:00. But no harm done and now it really looks like Fall around here: the bright leaves on the trees have been stripped off revealing the broken and shattered branches from last year’s ice storm.

>November Weather

>It’s been unseasonably warm for November but that may come to an end. A cold front’s coming but it’s been windy and warm all day, just like Spring. And just like Spring, the approaching front looks ominous.

This is looking north from the parking lot of my office building. The clouds look full of tornadoes to me, though that’s unheard of in November, right? Right?

Update – Well, it turned into a real Spring storm all right: wind, rain, lightning, hail, tornado warnings. Didn’t let up until nearly 10:00. But no harm done and now it really looks like Fall around here: the bright leaves on the trees have been stripped off revealing the broken and shattered branches from last year’s ice storm.