Wednesday blues

My step-mother died yesterday, so things are a little blue. After a blazingly sunny week, the rains have returned for our day off. Not too bad, though. It'll probably clear up tomorrow.

The Adirondack skies put on a dazzling show last night. A warm, sunny afternoon turned to distant thunder, then lightning getting closer and closer, and finally the sound of approaching torrential rain. This is a "shhh" sound that stirs up primal instincts to get inside.

At first the raindrops were huge splatters on the wooden boards of the lake hill. Within 30 seconds the wind howled from a new direction; doors slammed, tent flaps pounded, and sideways rain got into every protected area. A minute later the rain turned to hail. The biggest stones were the size of my watch face.

After less than 5 minutes the worst of the storminess receded, leaving massive puddles and floody river tracks. After that, the sunset was the most spectacular yet. Somehow the hail and lightning stirred up the high atmosphere into glorious oranges and pinks. We went to bed in awe of nature.

RIP, Charleen Smart.

aloha,

Jim