"Fast away the old year passes..." Indeed, it does, much faster with each year, it seems. Here we are at the last day of 2005, a melancholy day for my basically melancholy soul. Even though I place little importance on the midnight change of year or New Year's as a cause for gala partying, I do acknowledge the end of one year and the beginning of another. It's the completion of a cycle, another lap, if you will, another turn of the wheel. Many greet the New Year fully face-forward--the beginning of a New Year, new opportunities, new possibilities, a leaf turned, and a bright new tomorrow. My melancholy soul acknowledges the brand new year, but with a face turned back, a more reflective time for me. What have we done this year? How have we changed? January is named for the Roman god, Janus, who had two heads, one facing forward, one back--most appropriately.
Friends has departed this year--some from this area, some from this life. The numbers of both have grown and we take time to remember our friends as we continue to miss them
Whatever your leanings at the cusp of the years, we send you best wishes for each and every day of 2006 and thank you for gathering on the back porch for yet another year.
Happy New Year!
Friday, December 30th, continued mild: It's 38 degrees on my back porch at 7:16 this morning. Even though it's not springtime balmy as it was yesterday morning, we will still have a mild day with lots of sunshine and highs in the low to mid-60's.A high schoolmate contacted me through the back porch after the funeral of our mutual English teacher, Miss Fitzgerald. Along with wonderful thoughts and recollections, he included this poem, a lovely meditation for those who find comfort, wonder and joy in the natural world.
LOST by David Wagoner
Stand
still. The trees ahead and bushes beside you
Are not lost. Wherever you are is called Here,
And you must treat it as a powerful stranger,
Must ask permission to know it and be known.
The forest breathes. Listen. It answers,
I have made this place around you.
If you leave it, you may come back again and again,
saying Here.
No two trees are the same to Raven.
No two branches are the same to Wren.
If what a tree or a bush does is lost on you,
You are surely lost. Stand still. The
forest knows
Where you are. You must let it find you.
There are a lot of visitors on the islands this week, as one would expect, and many old friends have dropped by the shop to say hello. Some we expected to see and some were back in the area unexpectedly, having moved from the area. Seeing each of them is a special part of the season.
Tuesday, December 27th, mild later: It's 43.8 degrees on my back porch at 7:00 AM (new digital thermometer under the tree--I promise I won't burden you with temps to the tenth of a degree!) It's much chillier inland, away from the ocean, but most likely not below freezing this morning. Sunny weather is in stock for us with afternoon highs around 50.It's back to work after a very nice day after Christmas with family, including cats. The cats have established some sort of schedule that places the calicos under the tree for a while and Zoë under the tree for a while. Rarely are they all three under the tree at the same time.
Sunday, December 25th, Christmas Day: It's 58 degrees on my back porch at 7:30 AM, mild and blustery, Light rain has fallen over the past few hours and the wind has picked up as warm air has blown in from the south. A few showers, even some thunderstorms may bedevil us today, but it will continue very mild throughout the day with highs ranging from the mid- to upper 60's. Good temperature for riding your new Christmas bike, but be sure you are always riding downwind!
Although I love living here in the mild climate zone,
I have to say that I still think Christmas day should
be cold. Like so many of us here, we have been
brought up with the images of British
Christmas--carolers in furs (and with fur muffs--very
important!), roaring fires, snow, frozen ground--not
to mention the Christmas feast. I loved living
in England for three years. Hearing ancient
carols sung in Norman churches and cathedrals was like
stepping into a Christmas card. A visual memory
that will stay with me is a small Norman church in a
nearby village, set on a rounded knob, after a
snowfall. The trees in the churchyard were bare
and the entire scene was painted in various shades of
gray and white except for a holly wreath on the door
and a bright red ribbon.
In the
bleak midwinter
Frosty wind made moan.
Earth stood hard as iron,
Water like a stone.
Snow had fallen, snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter long ago.
What
can I give Him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd,
I would bring a lamb,
If I were a wise man,
I would do my part.
Yet what I can, I give Him,
Give my heart.
------Christina Rossetti
Merry Christmas!
Saturday, December 24th, Christmas Eve: It's 40 degrees on my back porch at 12:40 AM, very early on this Christmas Eve. Since this will be a very busy day for us, I thought I had better take this chance to post a message. We should have a fairly nice day, a bit warmer, but by evening there's the likelihood of showers--but not snow.What has been bought has been wrapped and dozens of cookies have been baked. The tree is up and lit, but as of this moment, there are no ornaments on the tree, just three lovely cats curled up beneath it. We will follow the old tradition this year and decorate the tree on Christmas Eve--not by design but because I have run out of days! I'm beginning the like the minimalist look of just lights and cats.
I hope that each and every one of you will have a very merry Christmas or happy Hanukah, a safe, warm, and joyful holiday no matter what you call it!
Friday, December 23rd, a bit warmer: It's 30 degrees on my back porch at 7:30 this morning and clear. There's ice in the birdbath again this morning and frost on the roof--as close was we will get to a white Christmas. The sun will warm us in to the 50's today--a good afternoon to be outside. Warmer air will continue to move in tomorrow, but unfortunately, so will some rain.Wednesday, December 21st, sunny but chilly: It's 35 degrees on my back porch at 6:15 this morning. We will have another bright, sunny day, but the high will be around 50 and the north wind will be sharp.
A writer or columnist has postulated that when asked, few can name three current Nobel Prize winners or the last three Heisman Trophy winners or the last three Pulitzer Prize winners. However, nearly everyone can name three people who have made a difference in their lives--and invariably, one of those three will be a teacher. Cora Mae Fitzgerald is that teacher on my list. Miss Fitzgerald was my English teacher in the 9th and 10th grades, but she taught a whole lot more. Her English instruction was demanding; we were challenged to THINK and then to express ourselves with clarity and precision. She introduced us to the theater, taking groups of us to plays in Portsmouth, Norfolk, and Richmond. I saw Anthony Perkins as Eugene Gant in "Look Homeward, Angel" and have been hooked to that book all these years since. "Silas Marner" and "Great Expectations," two works that have bedeviled many freshmen and sophomores over the years, were lively reads for us. And, I admit, she made me love English grammar. There wasn't a sentence she couldn't parse or diagram and I loved playing the game, too.
But Miss Fitzgerald taught us so much more: a sense of fairness and justice; the quality of mercy; the reward of honor; and, most of all, the love of learning. That so many of her former students remained in touch with her over the years is testament to the effect she had on a lot of lives. Miss Fitzgerald died on Tuesday after teaching us one last lesson: How to face terminal illness with grace and calm while living each moment with joy. One former student wrote that she was sure St. Peter was awaiting Miss Fitzgerald at the Gates and handed her a piece of chalk and directions to her next classroom. Lucky students.
Tuesday, December 20th, sunny: It's 40 degrees on my back porch at 7:40 this morning and the sun is shining brightly in a clear blue sky. A breeze from the north reminds you which season we are approaching. Sunny throughout today with highs in the low to mid-50's.As I headed out to the mailbox early yesterday morning, movement along the cul-de-sac caught my attention. Our resident bobcat, the Big Guy, was silently loping down the street. He slowed a bit and watched me as intently as I was watching him, but kept moving into the driveway across from me. Then he stopped, turned and gazed back for a long time, then sauntered along the drive for a way and then toward the marsh. We may be the property owners but it was clear who "owned" this territory.
Sunday, December 18th, chilly: It's 45 degrees on my back porch at 7:30 this morning and will probably not get much warmer than it is right now--a few degrees, but still in the 40's. At least we shouldn't see as much rain as we had yesterday afternoon and last night. Some brighter weather should arrive by Monday.Friday, December 16th, sunny: It's 40 degrees on my back porch at 7:00 this morning. The moon is still shining brightly in the western sky but will dim as the run rises in the east. We should have a mostly sunny day (a nice change from yesterday's showery weather) but it will be a bit chillier with highs in the mid- to upper 50's, dipping down into the upper 30's tonight.
Thursday, December 15th, a bit dreary: It's 44 degrees on my back porch at 7:20 this morning. There has been some light rain although it is not raining now. Showers remain in the forecast with the possibility of thunder this afternoon. But the highs will be in the 60's!
Now I know I am truly waaaa-aaa-aay behind schedule. Christmas Mom arrives today (she' not going to be amused if there is thunder!) and the elves have barely passed by our place! Ten days! Ten days!
Tuesday, December 13th, chilly: It's 38 degrees on my back porch at 7:20 this morning, a bit overcast and breezy. The northerly wind announces approaching winter quite clearly this morning. we should have sunshine during the day, then increasing cloudiness as rain moves in later this weeks. Highs in the mid 50's today with lows in the 30's tonight.We finally put up the last of the decorations in the shop yesterday and I think I need to start a few around here. I should also give some serious thought to shopping, too. Well, I have actually thought about it; I need some serious action--or a fleet of elves.
Sunday, December 11th, damp: It's 50 degrees on my back porch at 7:30 this morning and the morning overcast should clear to yield a mostly sunny day with highs in the 60's. Chilly again tonight with warm sunshine tomorrow also. we are well past Indian summer, so is this Indian winter?Our friends in the Northeast have had a touch of real winter weather this weekend, lots of snow and icy wind. One reader reports that the heavy snowfall sets off the Christmas lights beautifully.
Thursday, December 8th, damp: It's 50 degrees on my back porch at 7:30 this morning. It's a gray, blustery morning with the treetops bouncing in the NNE wind. Light rain has begun to fall and may continue over the next couple of hours, nothing heavy. we are already at the high for the day it appears.If you were thinking about going for a bracing swim, don't! There's a high surf advisory for the next 24 hours. And it's not a good day for tennis, either.
Tuesday, December 6th, chilly: It's 40 degrees on my back porch at 6:50 this morning and the northerly breeze is a cold one. Highs today only in the 50's and there's a freeze warning for tonight, perhaps not right along the coast, but certainly not far away from it.We escaped the predicted severe storms yesterday afternoon, although it was quite dark by 4 pm and we had some wind-blown rain (and just a tiny bit of a leak.) It was enough to send everyone inside early.
Saturday, December 3rd, sunny: It's 36 degrees on my back porch at 6:50 this morning. An inland freeze warning is in effect and the water may indeed be skimmed with ice in some off-island birdbaths this morning. Once the morning overcast clears, we should see bright sunshine throughout the day and highs in the mid-60's. The wind is supposed to shift back to the SE during the course of the day which will keep our overnight temperatures more moderate tonight.Friday, December 2nd, partly cloudy early: It's 40 degrees on my back porch at 7:00 this morning, overcast and breezy. the clouds should yield to the sunshine before long and we should have a sunny day. The wind will be shifting out of the SW around to the NW during the day and will make itself known. High today around 60 with scattered frost tonight. There's a freeze warning for areas away from the coast.
I know there are many choices of what to do this holiday season, but let me make a small pitch for the CSO Gospel Choir performance on this Saturday night. This will be the sixth annual Christmas concert and I can assure you that it will be a joyful toe-tapping, hand-clapping experience. It's at the Gaillard and tickets are at the box office, online, at Publix, or through any Ticketmaster outlet. Ticket sales have been brisk but it's a big auditorium.
Thursday, December 1st, sunny: It's 44 degrees on my back porch at 7:20 this morning, chilly but bright sunshine. There's a slight breeze that will get you attention, however. Sunny throughout the day with highs in the low to mid-60's--fine, seasonable weather.I came home a bit earlier than usual and saw egrets around the lagoon, settling in for the night. These were the early arrivals, however, and they had secured spots high in the trees to catch the last rays on sunlight from the lowering sun. They probably would move lower later to be close to the rising warmth from the lagoon water, but at that moment, the trees were all crested with white.
Many of you who visit the back porch will remember Louise and Buzz Sniffen, among the early "Kiawah Pioneers" and long-time residents. In fact, some of you may have purchased real estate from Buzz. We have received word that Buzz passed away on Tuesday morning. Louise has been hospitalized herself recently but is now back at home. Buzz was a stalwart champion for Kiawah and always had a glad hand and happy word for everyone.
Tuesday, November 29th, warm: It's 66 degrees on my back porch at 7:20 this morning and it is overcast. There are showers in the area, although none in our vicinity at the moment. There is a chance for showers this morning then clearing in the afternoon. Highs today in the low to mid-70's.The humidity climbed yesterday and we were back to very early fall weather, a good day for a walk on the beach.
Sunday, November 27th, warmer: It's 53 degrees on my back porch at 7:20 this morning with a high overcast. Warmer temperatures today as the breeze slowly shifts around to the southeast. The same system that brings warmer temps will also bring a slight chance of showers. High around 70.It was a hectic weekend and we are happy to fall back into a bit more of a routine over the next couple of days.
Friday, November 25th, sunny but cool: It's 48 degrees on my back porch at 7:20 this morning with a few clouds in an otherwise blue sky. The breeze has shifted back to the north and we will feel more like fall today, high in the upper 50's.What a wonderful day we had yesterday, sunny and mild. There were many people biking and strolling around Freshfields most of the day, enjoying the sun and the day. I wonder how many people are even now charging through stores and malls chasing a bargain. Probably not the same easy stroll we saw yesterday.
Wednesday, November 23rd, cool: It's 38 degrees on my back porch at 6:50 this morning. The sun is just beginning to light the tops of the pine and a bit if early morning overcast is burning away. We could have some partly cloudy conditions today and a little breeze, but nothing like the strong winds of yesterday morning. High in the upper 50's.Mr. Squirrel has peeked in on my this morning in his traverse across the roof and back. He didn't linger long.
So, what's cooking at your house today?
Tuesday, November 22nd, windy: It's 48 degrees on my back porch at 5:50 this morning. It is very windy this morning; in fact, there is a high wind advisory for our area until 10AM for winds 20-35 miles per hour, gusting to 50. I can hear the wind in the trees and some palmetto fronds being dispatched. Drive carefully over bridges this morning. The high today will be in the upper 50's.The holiday crowd has begun to gather as we have seen many more people in the Village and on the island. The Big Pig was busy last night and that's only the beginning. Go carefully out there.
Monday, November 21st, rain: It's 60 degrees on my back porch at 5:50 this morning. It has been raining steadily since last night and I am seeing a few flashes of lightning and hearing thunder off to the south. The chance of rain and thunderstorms will continue throughout the day with temperatures rising just a bit before they fall with the approaching front. Sunny but cooler and breezier is projected for Tuesday.It has been two years since our dear cat Molly died. I am sure that in some dimension of time, and certainly in our memory, she still chases butterflies, cuddles her sock, and sleeps peacefully in puddles of sunshine, purring all the while. Funny how time passes quickly and slowly, all in the same progression.
Miz Bitz spent the entire night curled close beside me, a most unusual event.
Sunday, November 20th, cool: It's 50 degrees on my back porch at 7:25 this morning and cloudy. Chance of showers throughout the day, nothing major it would appear, but perhaps enough to thwart a tennis match. High around 60.Saturday, November 18th, cool: It's 34 degrees on my back porch at 7:25 this morning, breezy and sunny. Mostly sunny this morning with increasing clouds this afternoon. High near 60.
It feels like autumn now and looks like it. The river birch is nearly bare as the wind twirls away the remaining leaves. The purple sweetgrass blooms are fading, the marsh is browning, and the wild grape leaves are yellow dots across the still green oaks and pines. The smell of fallen leaves weaves faint ribbons through the smells of the marsh. It is definitely fall.
Thursday, November 17th, cooler: It's 53 degrees on my back porch at 4:45 this morning as the wind has shifted and some much cooler air has started to move in. The temperature will fall a bit more before daybreak and we will warm up only to about 60 today. Cool air will continue to push in with even cooler temps on Friday and a freeze warning inland Friday night. Even out here along the coast we are likely to have low temps in the 30's by early Saturday morning. Frost on the pumpkin?The moon is bright this early morning, like daybreak, and the cats and I are roaming the house. Bitz has opened a closet door and I can hear her in there busily unloading a drawer of ribbons and bows. Sophie is patiently waiting outside of the door for Bitz to emerge. This is usually precursor to a rolling tussle which ends abruptly with both cats walking away snorting and shaking their heads. Zoë is paying no attention.
Wednesday, November 16th, one more warm day: It's 67 degrees on my back porch at 7:10 this morning, sunny and humid. We will be warm again today, near 80, but the winds will shift tonight and we will be much cooler tomorrow, only around 60. Truth be told, the cooler, drier weather will feel good, I think. At least a little bit of it.Tuesday, November 15th, partly cloudy early: It's 65 degrees on my back porch at 7:10 this morning, cloudy and damp. There's a chance of some light showers this morning, then clearing and highs in the mid-70's.
It may come as a rude moment of realization (as it did for a group of us last night) that Thanksgiving is NEXT Thursday. How did this happen?
Friday, November 11th, sunny: It's 50 degrees on my back porch at 7:20 this morning, sunny with a moderate breeze. A cooling wind blew threw town late yesterday afternoon and has brought some cooler, drier weather. Highs today will be in the low to lid-60's with a noticeable northerly wind. By the weekend, we will have the low 70's back.The night skies have been remarkable over the past couple of weeks. When it has been closer to the horizon, it has been a beautiful, rich, not-exactly red, not exactly orange--an appropriate color for the season. Venus and Mars have been bright in the sky, so bright that even on the nights when we had light, low evening fog conditions, the moon, Venus, and Mars, shone through--easy spotting! With the cooler, drier conditions we expect this week, it will be a good time to go outside and look up.
Tuesday, November 8th, mostly sunny: It's 60 degrees on my back porch at 6:30 this morning. The early morning light is revealing a some pretty foggy conditions this morning. By mid-morning the fog should be gone and we will have warm weather once again. Highs around 80 at the beach and warmer inland. Right now, with the fog, it's a bit damp.Here's a pretty sight for you: early morning dew on the sweetgrass blooms. With a little morning sunshine, the plumes glow.
Monday, November 7th, mostly sunny: It's 60 degrees on my back porch at 7:30 this morning, bright and still. Mostly sunny today with highs in the mid- to upper 70's and only a very light breeze.The river birch leaves continue to fall, aided at the moment by a small warbler bouncing from limb to limb.
Sunday, November 6th, beautiful: It's 54 degrees on my back porch at 7:10 this morning with sunlight on the treetops and only an occasional hint of a breeze. High in the mid- to upper 70's. Oh, yeah!I look out of my window into the now yellow-gold branches of the river birch. It has been fall on my side deck for the past two days as the leaves drift down from the tree, one by one in a nearly steady fall. The weather has been perfect for having the windows and doors open while I cleaned.
The cats have enjoyed the weather also, especially Zoë, who has been able to spend more time on the deck while we have been at home. She's a senior lady cat now and loves to find the quiet sunny spots, many the same places favored by Molly before her. Yesterday she curled up in one of the chairs out there and watched the butterflies dancing above the still-blossomed impatiens, occasionally reaching out a paw towards one and perhaps remembering her early years when she could snag hummingbirds on the wing.
Thursday, November 3rd, beautiful: It's 49 degrees on my back porch at 7:10 this morning bright and sunny again but a a bit cooler than yesterday morning. The sun will warm us into the low to mid-70's.With the cooler weather and change of seasons, the look of the marsh has changed. The marsh grasses are no longer green but now begin to glow golden, especially in the afternoon light, contrasting with the deep blue of the sky above and its reflection in the river below. Blossom-rimed salt myrtles dot the edges. I don't see as many red-winged blackbirds along the KI Parkway edge as I used to see, but they would make wonderful accents and I keep watching for them.
Tuesday, November 1st, cloudy and a bit warmer: It's 62 degrees on my back porch at 7:15 this morning. We have a few clouds this morning and even a chance of a light shower. Clearing to partly cloudy this afternoon with high temps in the mid- to upper 70's.It's November. Do you hear a faint sound off in the distance? It's the holidays racing towards us. Oh no!
Monday, October 31st, sunny: It's 45 degrees on my back porch at 7:30 this morning, clear and sunny. We should have another beautiful day with lots of sunshine and afternoon temps near 70, a bit warmer in town.I am beginning to see leaves drifting down from the river birch. They have gone from green to brown with little intermediate yellow. I think the tree is just tired of supporting all those green leaves! Reports from a co-worker who visited the NC mountains last week are that the leaves are only just beginning to show fall color there, much-delayed this year. There's still a chance to make a quick trip to the northwest to be reminded of what fall in the hardwood forests looks like.
Sunday, October 30th, sunny: It's 46 degrees on my back porch at 7:10 this morning. Already the sun is lighting the treetops and we will continue to see lots of sun throughout the day. Highs will be in the mid- to upper 60's.I like the light in the morning but will miss the evening light--and I sure appreciated the extra hour we had last night.
Sweetgrass is blooming beautifully right now, even the small slumps just set out along the new highway and culvert over Haulover Creek. I hope the grass thrives there.
Friday, October 28th, a bit warmer: It's 52 degrees on my back porch at 7:20 this morning, the warmer early morning temperature a boon from the overnight cloud cover. The light showers appear to have ended and we should see sunny skies later and a high in the upper 60's.About the rising complaints against FEMA and other governmental relief efforts in South Florida: I don't want to understate how inconvenient the aftermath of a storm can be, how taxing it can be to fins alternate methods of food preparation or creative uses of canned and packaged foods. I can remember how precious a bag of ice was after Hugo and what a treat it was to go to the old Inn for a hot meal at the day's end ($5!). I also know that it should not have been a bog surprise that Wilma affected South Florida. For days, weather trackers has been forecasting just that. Which brings me to my IMHO soapbox. Populations in the path of highly anticipated storms have to assume some responsibility for their own welfare during and after that storm. Of course, there will be some who won't be able to do that or whose personal situation will mean that their preparations couldn't meet their needs, but most people should be able to provide for their own basic food and water needs except in truly catastrophic storms like Katrina and Rita.
Thursday, October 27th, sunny: It's 45 degrees on my back porch at 7:20 this morning and beginning to lighten. More sunny, mild days and cool nights are in store for us for the new several days--with perhaps a scattered shower here and there/ Very nice indeed. High today in the mid- to upper 60's.No sign of either of the pugnacious bucks or the doe since the showdown in our side yard. They have moved on to contest another territory, no doubt.
With the severe storms and more recently the early heavy snow, the SC coast has looked even more attractive this year.
Tuesday, October 25th, chilly: It's 45 degrees on my back porch at 7:20 this morning, near 40 in town, as the cool air has blown in. Last night's winds have died considerably although we may still have a noticeable breeze during the day. There will be lots of sunshine also and a high temp in the low to mid-60's.The Wild Kingdom. On Sunday morning, two antlered stags were in our yard, one in front and one along the side. there was also a doe. The larger of the stags was not about to be moved away, staying put as He Who went for the paper and even when we drove past him in our car. He seemed well, just stubborn. Well, it's the time of year when the males become very territorial and that even I heard thrashing and snorting and all manner of noise coming from the side lot. I went out on the porch and was treated to all the up close and personal sounds of a pitched battle between the two stags--snorting, huffing, crashing through the brush and head-butting. With a strong flashlight I was able to catch glimpses of the two (they were not deterred even by the strong light) as they sought to establish rights to the area. I guess they settled the dispute, but I have seen neither in the windy, wet weather we have had since then. But I'm looking and listening!
Monday, October 24th, rainy & cooler: It's 58 degrees on my back porch at 6:50 this morning. It has been raining for a couple of hours now and will continue to rain for several more today. With highs expected to be only in the low to mi-d 60's, we have jumped from Indian summer to late fall.I have to get ready to take He Who Must Play Tennis to have a second cataract removed this morning and don't have a lot of time to talk--but remind me to tell you what's been going on in our little corner of the wild kingdom!
Sunday, October 23rd, cooler: It's 63 degrees on my back porch at 4:00 this morning. Moon shadows still dapple the deck boards and the only sound I hear are the night bugs. Even the cats are asleep. The expected cold front has started to push through and the temperature has begun to fall. Of course, it's only a "cool" spell for us as the temps will be in the comfortable low to mid-70's today with some NE breeze. Clouds will roll in this evening and we will have a chance of showers for the following day and high temps then only in the mid- to upper 60's.Our thoughts are with our Florida friends as they await a visit from Wilma. Indications are that she will move along swiftly. We hope it will be a gentle visit with few reminders after she has gone.
Now, is everyone familiar with the Greek alphabet? Alpha, beta, gamma, delta ...
Thursday, October 20th, warm: It's 65 degrees on my back porch at 6:25 this morning. The moon is still creating dapples shadows on the porch and deck as it shines through the trees. We should see another sunny day with warm temperatures--upper 80's away from the coast and around 80 out here. Lots of sunshine and some increased humidity as the winds are from the south and southwest.I awoke to the sounds of owls this morning--long low hoots from a nearby Great Horned owl and the further away whinny of a screech owl. Wonderful night sounds and much better than an alarm clock.
Tuesday, October 18th, sunny: It's 56 degrees on my back porch at 6:45 this morning. It is still rather dark outside, but I am confident that we will have another sunny, pleasant day with highs around 80 and a slight northerly breeze.Sure sign of cooler weather: Miz Bitz spent a good portion of the early morning hours curled against the back of my knees.
Sunday, October 16th, very nice: It's 62 degrees on my back porch at 8:15 this morning, sunny with a slight breeze. Sunshine is the order of the day with highs around 80. Cool tonight, in the 50's even out here along the coast. Brace yourself for another beautiful day on Monday.The newspaper reports that fall color change in the NC mountains has been delayed this year because of continued warm weather. Mild weather and lots of rain accounts for my still-green river birch also. A trip to the mountains would be grand anyway. It's apple time and hopefully this was a good year for sourwood honey production (the last two seasons have been terrible.) The mountains tug at me--not as much as the ocean--but I do occasionally need to be among them.
Saturday, October 15th, very nice: It's 62 degrees on my back porch at 7:15 this morning and the birds are calling/shrieking more than singing this morning, mainly the boat-tailed grackles. They are probably just excited about the prospects for the day: mostly sunny, high in the low 80's with a light northerly breeze.If you are at loose ends for the evening and would like an hour or so of rousing music, the CSO Gospel Choir will perform with the symphony this evening at the Ashley River Baptist Church in the first of several CSO Stained Glass concerts. Concert is at 7 pm and tickets are $10, available at the door.
Friday, October 14th, ahhhhhhhh: It's 65 degrees on my back porch at 7:15 this morning with little breeze and perhaps a bit of misty fog. Indian summer may have at last arrived. Mostly sunny today with a high in the low 80's and no rain. The a.c. is off and I hear no heat pumps, just birdsong. Nice.The KI Parkway outside the gate is lined with goldenrod in full bloom and I notice that the salt myrtle is loaded with swelling buds. The beautyberry still thrives and its berries ripen and a bit more color is evident on the sweetgrass.
Wednesday, October 12th, mostly cloudy: It's 70 degrees on my back porch at 7:30 this morning, another gray sky and a light breeze. The damp gray weather just won't quite move out. We haven't had heavy rain showers for a day or so, but a very fine drizzle has persisted. We still have a chance for light rain and drizzle today and again tomorrow with highs in the upper 70's.Still not a peep (croak?) from the frogs.
Monday, October 10th, mostly cloudy: It's 74 degrees on my back porch at 7:30 this morning and foggy. The fog should clear to mostly cloudy conditions (if that's clearing) and there's a chance of rain. In fact, radar shows a small area of rain south of us, but nothing like the rain that surprised us last night. Highs in the low 80's.Usually when we have had enough rain to create a shallow lake of one end of our lot, we are treated to the sound of MANY frogs soon thereafter. I haven't heard a single frog this time. Could our deluge truly have been a "frog-strangler?"
Saturday, October 8th, improving: It's 75 degrees on my back porch at 7:30 this morning and mostly clear for the first time in many days. The radar is remarkably free of green and orange patches and it looks as though we will have a much better day today than the last several. That bodes well for the tennis and golf tournaments as well as for the four weddings being held here this weekend. High today in the mid-80's with a continuing but much lessened chance of a shower. It appears, however that the promised cooler weather will not reach as far south as we are and the prospect of a week of mild, dry weather in the 70's has evaporated. Wish the lake in our yard would do the same.Consider the young woman who has been visiting here from Seattle for the past week, who saw sunshine one afternoon only. Ironically, it hasn't rained in Seattle this week at all.
Friday, October 7th, rain: It's 75 muggy, rainy degrees on my back porch at 7:30 this morning, looking a bit dreary out there. Chance of showers, even thunderstorms throughout the day with highs i the 80's. If yesterday is any indication, when the sun does come out, it's like a steam bath outside. The promised cold front is delayed a bit and will not be as cool as first indicated. Everyone who is really over summer this year, please raise your hand.Thursday, October 6th, rain, wind: It's 74 degrees on my back porch at 7:30 this morning, cloudy but not raining at the moment, and very breezy. Our predicted showery weak has been abetted by a surprise visit from Tropical Storm Tammy. It was mainly a rain event here with some occasional significant breeze. There are lots of palm fronds down and the back of our lot is a lake, but no harm done. Tropical storms warnings remain in effect this morning for a while as we still have trailing bands of the storm that could affect us with rain and wind today. High around 80.
This is definitely not good tennis tournament weather. We are warned that just as Tammy moves away, another rain system will move in and increase the likelihood of showers Friday and Saturday, maybe Sunday. So far, the forecast for next week looks great.
Tuesday, October 4th, chance of showers: It's 72 degrees on my back porch at 7:30 this morning and cloudy. The chance of showers persists, even with an off chance of more thunderstorms. High in the lower 80's with a light northerly breeze.Travel along Bohicket last evening after a heavy downpour was not pleasant. It was early yet and a fair amount of traffic. some of it clearly not familiar with Bohicket. Some were super cautious, nearly stopping at every pool of rainwater and others plowed through only to be surprised by effect of the puddle on their steering. In either case it was a bit like a pinball game, wondering who would carom where at any time. Go carefully out there.
Monday, October 3rd, chance of showers: It's 72 degrees on my back porch at 7:00 this morning, just beginning to grow light, which would indicate to me that it's cloudy. The long-range forecast for this entire week is the same: partly to mostly cloudy with a good chance of showers everyday through Saturday. That's not the best weather for the golf and tennis tournaments scheduled at Seabrook towards the end of the week. But, "partly cloudy" holds the promise of "partly sunny" also.Radar shows a lone of scattered showers and thunderstorms off the coast moving generally in this direction. Perhaps they will dissipate before they reach us. High today in the low to mid- 80's.
I am beginning to notice a hint of color now and again in the sweetgrass. Fall colors in most other areas may be orange and red and yellow, but for us, at least in these early days, the fall color is purple--sweetgrass and beauty berry.
Saturday, October 1st, mostly sunny: It's 70 degrees on my back porch at 7:25 this morning with a high layer of clouds that should burn off soon. Mostly sunny today with a moderate NE breeze and a slight chance of showers. Of course, there was only a slight chance of showers yesterday, too! High around 80.October--one of my favorite months. Doesn't it seem we got here much too quickly this year?
My yellow-rumped warbler friend is back in the river birch again this morning, twittering and jumping from limb to limb, occasionally flashing some yellow as he does so.
Thursday, September 29th, partly cloudy: It's 70 degrees on my back porch at 7:25 this morning with some non-threatening clouds and little breeze. The weather will be a little unsettled today and tonight as a front pushes through. After midnight, the wind should have shifted from the south to the northeast, bringing some slightly cooler, drier air. High today will be in the mid-80's.We didn't work our way to "partly cloudy" under yesterday afternoon and to "partly sunny" only briefly late in the day. We had a lot of rain from the localized system that dumped over 6" of rain on James island and flooded many Folly Road intersections. Downtown continues to have its usual flooding issues.
One thing a continuing, driving rain will do is to test leak repairs. Rats.
Wednesday, September 28th, raining: It's 74 degrees on my back porch at 7:25 this morning and it has been raining hard for a half hour or so. Before that there were some light showers. Threat of rain continues for part of the morning, then partly cloudy with the continued threat of showers through the next couple of days. Highs in the low to mid-80's.We have needed rain. After a rainy summer, the last month has been pretty dry except for areas that received a few scattered showers now and then. mostly inland from here. the resurrection fern should be a green ruffle along the oak branches for a day or so.
Tuesday, September 27th, scattered showers: It's 77 degrees on my back porch at 7:25 this morning and there are a few raindrops falling. We have had a few showers overnight--very light it appears--and there's a chance of a few sprinkles this morning. Gradually clearing throughout the day and evening. Highs in the low to mid-80's.It looks as though final landscaping is being completed at the Freshfields roundabout. I saw lots of work on the median on the Seabrook side and some open fencing going up on the perimeter of Freshfields Village. There is still much construction work and landscaping to be completed in the Village itself, but the construction site look has certainly lessened.
Sunday, September 25th, partly cloudy: It's 75 degrees on my back porch at 7:25 this morning, overcast and still. We are likely to have a light sprinkle this morning before the clouds clear and we have mostly sunny conditions and highs in the mid- to upper 80's.As I look out at the river birch, I see the first yellow leaves of the season, just a few dotting the still mostly very green tree. The "vee" of geese in the sky also looked like a sign of autumn--until I noted they were flying north instead of south. I think it was just a local outing.
Saturday, September 24th, warm: It's 75 degrees on my back porch at 7:45 this morning and still. The sun is just beginning to light the treetops and to burn off some early fog. Highs today will be around 90. We are still hoping for a cool, dry breath of autumn air.The cats, all three of them, slept in a bit this morning and have only just arrived for their morning kibble. They are unusually quiet and the two calicoes have big tails. I suspect I ought to make an inspection upstairs to see what mischief they have wrought.
Friday, September 23rd, muggy: It's 77 degrees on my back porch at 7:15 this morning, a bit overcast with a light breeze. It's pretty close out on the porch this morning, still summer, not fall. Mostly sunny today with highs in the upper 80's.There are a multitude of tiny warblers in the river birch this morning and the tree shivers with activity as the birds flit and flutter from branch to branch. There's little warbling to be heard but lots of chatter.
Technical note: Operational problems still handicap our technical division, limiting what we can post on the site. Panels of experts are being convened to assess the situation so that we can get back in full operational mode. We promise that FEMA is not involved.
Thursday, September 22nd, partly cloudy: It's 75 degrees on my back porch at 7:15 this morning with some clouds and a slight breeze. There are some thunderstorms just off the coast which may briefly track through the area this morning. Then, expect partly cloudy skies with highs in the mid-80's.What a frightening situation is building in the Gulf, not only for Texas but Louisiana again. It's unrealistic to expect but a poof! disappearance of Rita would be desirable.
Wednesday, September 21st, a bit cooler: It's 73 degrees on my back porch at 7:15 this morning with little breeze. There's an increased chance of showers today and the high will be in the mid- to upper 80's, a tiny bit cooler.We did notice a lowered humidity yesterday afternoon and much clearer air, a hint of some more pleasant weather to come with the change of seasons. The marshes certainly look like late summer, early autumn marshes as they have begun to yellow a bit and resemble wheat fields. The river birches are still very green, thanks to lots of rain this summer.
Tuesday, September 20th, where is our cooler weather? It's 74 degrees on my back porch at 7:05 this morning, once again hazy and still. If we can't have cooler weather, we would be pleased with some drier weather at least Soon, maybe, but not today. Mostly sunny with highs in the upper 80's to lower 90's.He Who Must Play Tennis is off the courts for a few days as he recovers from cataract surgery yesterday. Surgery went well and recovery is fine--except for the enforced inactivity for a day. He should be allowed to drive again this afternoon and we will all be relieved!
Technical note: Because of some technical glitches (mainly internet connectivity) we are a bit tardy in getting some files updated. Soon, very soon. We have to get the hamsters running on the treadmill again.
Monday, September 19th, hot: It's 75 degrees on my back porch at 6:55 this morning and, in the early morning light, looks to be a bit foggy or hazy. We should have sunshine most of the day with a high in the upper 80's, with a slight chance for a shower in the afternoon., hazy and humid. Looking forward to some less humid weather and some cooler nights here on this back porch!We were further up the island last night and when returning saw several deer, including one lovely little antlered stag. We really don't see deer here in our neighborhood very much anymore and when we do see them, only one or two at a time. Perhaps they will return during the cooler, quieter season.
Sunday, September 18th, steamy: It's 76 degrees on my back porch at 7:25 this morning, hazy and humid. Another hot day is in store for us. around 90 out here and mid-90's inland, with only a limited chance of a scattered cloud or shower. Summer is hanging on until the bitter end.There are two tropical systems whirling around at present, but one seems headed towards Bermuda and the other into the southern Gulf (Texas/Mexico).
Wednesday, September 14th, improving: It's 75 degrees on my back porch at 7:25 this morning, overcast and still breezy. The breeze has subsided quite a bit, however, as Ophelia creeps northward. You don't have to go very far north of us, however, to be back in the stronger, gustier wind and some rain. We had only a few sprinkles here and have resorted to the irrigation sprinklers this morning. It will remain mostly cloudy this morning with some continuing breeze with some improving conditions later in the day. High in the upper 80's.We had to be in Mt. Pleasant last evening and I can tell you that driving back over the new bridge in the winds that were markedly stronger even that small a distance north of us required concentration.
Tuesday, September 13th, not our best day: It's 76 degrees on my back porch at 7:25 this morning, overcast and quite breezy. Ophelia continues to spin off the coast, nearly stationary and pushing clouds and wind our way. Indeed we have been breezy overnight with a few get-your-attention gusts, but nothing severe. The tropical storm warning and hurricane watch remain in effect as we all wait for Ophelia to move along. Our forecast today calls for windy conditions, 25 to 35 this morning, increasing to 30-40 mph this afternoon, and a bit higher this evening. Gusts will range from 45-60 mph along the coast. Showers, some heavy, are likely.Right now, the trees are bouncing a bit and the wind is whistling through the pines. We have a new layer of pine needles on the ground. Thus far, we have had very little rain, mainly a couple of showers last night. We did take down our porch umbrella for fear it might become a projectile in an unfortunate gust. And Zoë had no interest in being on the deck this morning.
Monday, September 12th, breezy: It's 72 degrees on my back porch at 7:00 this morning and quite breezy. We are going to have sunshine, especially early they tell us, and then increasing cloudiness and chance for showers. The wind will continue to blow strong with gusts. High in the mid-80'sOphelia still dawdles off the coast. After completing a clockwise loop, the storm is nearly exactly where it was on Saturday morning. With lack of any real guiding impetus, it's not going any place very quickly. We are at the very southern end of the strike probability cone and forecasters still expect a more northerly then northeasterly movement eventually, but as long as the storm dawdles and meanders, it's worth keeping a close watch. Depending upon how the surrounding weather systems evolve, it is not beyond the realm of possibility that Ophelia could head west, all the way towards us--but it's not likely.
Sunday, September 11th, breezy: It's 70 degrees on my back porch at 7:00 this morning. The birds are singing and the rapidly brightening sky appears to be clear. Mostly sunny, at least during the early part of the day, with an increasing breeze and occasional gusts. There may be some clouds later in the day. High in the mid-80's.Although at this time the hurricane watch remains in effect from Edisto Island northward, it appears that Ophelia will stay well away from us and wil give the Outer Banks a glancing blow. Of course, the storm is still meandering offshore and with no clear guidance at present, there is a degree of uncertainty, but nearly all the professional guessers see a minimal hurricane headed in the mid-North Carolina coast direction, then veering out to sea.
I know that the local officials are hurricane-sensitized by memories of Hugo and the evacuation nightmare of Floyd and just recently by the scenes of Katrina's destruction. However, having shelters open last night might have been an early preparedness step a bit too premature. Thanks for thinking of us.
It is difficult, if not impossible, for the majority of us to hear September 11th and not think of what transpired four years ago. It occurs to me that most of our "memorable" days center on tragic events -- 9/11, December 7th, D-Day, August 5th. With the exception of personal anniversaries and birthdays and July 4th, we don't tend to remember really good days, do we? Maybe that's because our lives are generally good days and so the really bad ones are in stark difference. Maybe good occurs on a personal level while these tragic events played out at a national or global level. I'm sure 9/11 victims would assure us that that tragedy was very much at a personal level, too. So, why aren't there good memorable events at that same level?
Perhaps I need to go have my cereal and get on with my day. I know it will have some good in it--and I hope yours does also.
Saturday, September 10th, mostly sunny: It's 72 degrees on my back porch at 7:30 this morning. We have a bright blue sky this morning, bright sunshine and a breeze--a gorgeous Kiawah morning. Mostly sunny throughout the day with continued breeze and a high in the mid-to upper 80's.We continue to watch Ophelia as the forecasters project a turn later this weekend back towards the SE coast. The projected path yesterday took the storm in south of us, but I notice this morning that the projected path has been nudged a bit northward now, above Charleston. I think there's a good chance this northward creep will continue and that Myrtle Beach and Wilmington are more likely to feel the increased winds and the heaviest of the rains. But we keep watching.
Friday, September 9th, partly cloudy: It's 73 degrees on my back porch at 7:30 this morning, a bit overcast with a moderate breeze. Partly sunny again today and breezy with temperatures again in the mid-80's for us.We are watching Ophelia with interest as it mulls around in the Atlantic. I don't like dawdling storms.
Thursday, September 8th, chance of showers: It's 72 degrees on my back porch at 7:10 this morning, a bit overcast with a moderate breeze. The humidity remains comfortably diminished and the morning is refreshing. Partly cloudy/partly sunny conditions will persist through the day with a fair chance for showers. The breeze will increase and become gusty. Be careful if you are going into the ocean as a high surf advisory and rip current warning persist/I was home yesterday--ahhhhh!--and enjoyed lots about that: time to clean, time to get things back in order, time to visit with a neighbor. Most of all, I enjoyed being treated to a lengthy mockingbird serenade. He perched on a limb just beside the porch, ignored the glares from the two calicoes on the other side of the screen, and sang his songs.
Tuesday, September 6th, chance of showers: It's 72 degrees on my back porch at 7:30 this morning with a high overcast and moderate breeze. We will have cloudy conditions off and on through the day with an increased chance of showers this afternoon and evening. The breeze will continue and with temperatures expected in the low 80's, it should be a nice day all in all.One of the trees growing in our yard is a magnolia. On our island that's not an exceptional plant--except that this one has grown from a sapling sent to the us in the Lowcountry after Hugo from the people of Mississippi. In the days after Hugo, when the 47 fallen trees had been removed and their stumps ground, when all the small branches and palm fronds and every leaf from the live oaks had been raked and removed, our house looked like a lighthouse on a barren shore and the sun shone unbroken on a lot with very little vegetation remaining. That sapling (I think it was distributed through the Cooperative Extension Agency) meant a lot: a reminder that the trees would grow again, the vegetation, birds and critters would come back, and that we had neighbors from a long way away that cared about that as much as we did. There wasn't anyone to write to say thank you for that gift or to tell now that every time I look out my window at that tree, I think of where it came from. I don't know that the people of the Magnolia State would appreciate a palmetto as much as I do the magnolia, but I hope there is something that we of the Lowcountry can do to return that great favor from 1989.
Monday, September 5th, pleasant: It's 72 degrees on my back porch at 7:00 this morning, cooler inland. Most evident, however, is the lower humidity. Mostly sunny today with a continuing breeze and a high in the mid-80's and only a slight chance of a shower--ingredients for a very pleasant Labor Day.I am pleased to report that there are a lot of butterflies who have found their way to Freshfields. I quite often see them fluttering about in the courtyard or around the planted beds and The Green. I hope a mockingbird or two will move in soon. Its music would be a pleasant addition.
There were more people around this weekend than I had expected and several to whom I spoke indicated they will be here through the week. But it's the end of the season for most vacationers and I can almost hear the car trunks closing shut as most visitors prepare to leave with the busy summer season. We still have a lot of very nice weather ahead when I am looking forward to being a bit less hectic so that I can get out and see what's going on around the island.
Over the years, Bob Cowgill has helped to keep all of us aware of what was happening in the natural world of Kiawah, a world that surrounds us but that we don't often see even though we are overwhelmed by its beauty. His efforts in organizing and leading the Nature Club gave many of us "old-timers" firsthand looks at the ecology and environment of Kiawah. We traveled to the "wilds" of the east end of the island (beyond what is now Osprey Beach); we learned about snakes and seashore plants and birds and waterfowl. He continued to educate and entertain us through his "Nature Trails" columns in KPOG's Kiawah Island Talk and then in postings, first on the KPOG.org website and then here on kiawahchats.net in the Wild Things section.
Bob has decided that it is time to sign off and we have posted his last Wild Things message. Like all of his writing, it is gentle and elegant and prods us to get out and really look at the world we live in. The Wild Things postings will remain on the site for later reference and reading. Thanks, Bob, for caring about the island and sharing your thoughts and insights.
Saturday, September 3rd, a bit drier: It's 72 degrees on my back porch at 7:20 this morning, clear and still. Our Labor Day weekend weather should be very nice--summer as we like it. Out here, highs in the mid-80's with a light breeze and lots of sunshine. With any luck, the lower humidity will hold also.A busy summer is drawing to a close. I've grown to think of our having two summers, the beach summer with lots of visitors and long hot days, and then "our" summer, the last few weeks of hot weather and the long Indian summer fading into autumn. Fewer visitors, less traffic, lower humidity, fewer flies, but shorter days.
Friday, September 2nd, hot: It's 76 degrees on my back porch at 7:20 this morning, slight occasional breeze, and maybe a smidge less humid. Mostly sunny today with a high around 90.Thursday, September 1st, mostly sunny: It's 75 degrees on my back porch at 8:10 this morning, high overcast and a very slight occasional breeze. The haze should clear during the morning leaving mostly sunny skies with a high around 90.
I don't think anyone--except those in the affected areas--have not seen pictures of the horrendous conditions along the Gulf Coast. To have any inkling of the scope and totality of the devastation truly staggers the imagination of where and how to begin to recover.
But it's the scenes of looters that are seared into my brain. Food and water, yes, it's a desperate time for those remaining in the city and any remaining food and water supplies should be nationalized, in a sense, and made available. However, electronics in a city with no power--or prospect for it for many weeks--or jewelry and games, they are hardly necessities. True, those stores are going to be inoperable and/or uninhabitable for a while; true, owners may not return; but, I don't think the looters shown in totally dry stores loading bags and baskets with all they could fit in had followed any such logic, flawed or not. It was a party, a lark, and as one interviewed looter said, "a chance for people always oppressed to get back at society." Remember how disgusted, as a nation, we were when we saw scenes of the looting in Baghdad? I hope we have saved some of the same disgust for our own.
Here's a suggestion. Police or National Guardsmen who are tasked with the duty of trying to control the looting should be armed with paintball rifles. When they see looters, they should plaster them with a paintball containing an indelible, long-lasting ink or pigment. Then when these same people show up for evacuation or other assistance--and they will, they should be directed to the back of the line.
Monday, August 29th, mostly sunny: It's 75 degrees on my back porch at 7:20 this morning. The sky is clearing of the early morning haze and we should see sunshine before long. the birds are certainly doing their best to sing up a sunny day this morning. High around 90 with the ever-present chance of a local shower.Let's hope that Jeff Morrow, Jim Cantore, or Mike Seidell never have cause to do a live report from our area.
Saturday, August 27th, chance of showers: It's 75 degrees on my back porch at 7:00 this morning. It's pretty overcast at present but not raining...yet. Showers are forecast, however, with highs in the mid-80's.The Gulf Coast remains the place NOT to be as Katrina moves further to the west before an expected turn to the north. For all of our bad memories of Hugo and our angst when storm clouds gather, South Carolina has not historically been a major target of hurricanes. We hope that history continues.
Friday, August 26th, milder: It's 75 degrees on my back porch at 7:15 this morning, cooler a bit inland. Only a slight chance of showers today and temps in the mid-80's. This is it! The August break that gives just a hint of the milder, drier weather to come. Enjoy it! We are likely to see some wet and stormy weather later in the weekend and early next week as Katrina moves west of us.Thursday, August 25th, clearing: It's 76 degrees on my back porch at 7:15 this morning, still humid but not laundry room hot. I can even see a hint of blue in the sky as morning clouds and mist begin to fade. Best news of all: high today in the mid-80's.
Wednesday, August 24th, relief coming? It's 78 degrees on my back porch at 7:15 this morning, a few degrees cooler inland, away from the 86 degree ocean. We will have clearing generally throughout the day and a gradual shift in breeze to the northeast. The next couple of days should be a little cooler and perhaps a bit drier. High today in the mid- to upper 80's.
Observations through the shop window lead me to wonder when it was we generally lost the skill of parallel parking. I see too many instances during the day of big cars and little cars that are directed headfirst into the space, up over the curb onto the sidewalk and then plunked down again. The alternate method is to go through the parallel parking steps but leave the car two feet from the curb, crowding an already narrow street.
Did I mention the car stopped in the roundabout, driver discussing with the passenger what to do next? Stopped...still...7 pm...what???
Monday, August 22nd, continued hot: It's 82 degrees on my back porch at 7:15 this morning, patchy fog and haze, and humid. The hot, sticky weather persists with highs in the low to mid-90's. There are t-storms well off the coast at present that seem disinclined to move our way, but that might change by evening,The cats go out on the porch in this hot weather, choose their perch and spread out into furry puddles. Bones seem to dissolve and they display not even the energy to lift their heads when they are called in. An ear twitches if we are lucky. For the past couple of mornings, we have had to lift the boneless cats and bring them in.
Sunday, August 21st, the hottest day yet this summer: It's 80 degrees on my back porch at 7:05 this morning, hazy and nearly still. There's a heat advisory for the entire state this afternoon and early evening as the temperatures climb to the mid- and upper 90's. Once again, it will be the humidity that will drive the misery factor. Heat indices along the coast will be between 105 and 110 into the evening, even higher inland.I am so over summer this year, at least the stultifying, hot summer we have had this August. Something a bit drier and milder would be so welcome.
Thursday, August 18th, just a smidge cooler: It's 75 degrees on my back porch at 7:25 this morning. The heavy overnight rain and thunder have just about subsided now as the large area of storms has moved off the coast, but it is very wet and drippy out. the chance of more rain continues through the day, but we should be about 5 degrees cooler than yesterday, still in the upper 80's but we'll take it!Tuesday, August 16th, hot & steamy: It's 77 degrees on my back porch at 7:10 this morning. the weather is in a holding pattern at hot, humid with a chance of a thunderstorm and it appears that we will have another week of it, at least. August--the month when you forget why it was you were looking forward to June.
He Who Must Play Tennis has enjoyed getting back into the game a bit more than he has had the chance to earlier this summer. More tennis will most likely most more pancake opportunities.
Sunday, August 14th, hot & steamy: It's 77 degrees on my back porch at 7:00 this morning and a bit hazy or foggy at the moment. We should have a lot of hot sunshine today, enough to cause a lot of the precipitation we have had over the past week to turn into steam. High around 90 out here and even hotter inland.The August heat is nothing if not persistent and we are beginning to long for a cool, dry breeze.