Fall Weather in Northern California

I’m sitting here in my backyard, just enjoying the Fall Weather.  I love this time of year.  The world always seems quieter in the Fall.  Big white clouds are drifting by on a blue sky.  Very peaceful.  

Next month I turn 78 years of age.  My wife and I saw our doctor this past week, and were told we are both in disgustingly good health.  That’s good, I suppose, but I don’t fear death.  Both my brothers are gone and I have a small amount of survivor guilt.  It’s hard to communicate with those on the other side.  I look up at the sky and wonder “Where are you?  When you’re dead, do you know you’re dead?  Do you remember life in this realm?”

 I suppose I’ll find the answers sooner or later.

Rainy Weather

Today the sky is filled with big dark fluffy clouds, portentous of rain.  I am working on tax returns but this coming Tuesday I will be able to sit on my couch and watch YouTube videos while cuddling with my dog and cat. 

I can hardly wait.

Stormy Weather

It stormed all night here in Hollister.  Howling wind and splattering sounds of rain.  My cat crawled under the covers with me, so cold was she.

I am not listening to music or watching TV shows, don’t feel like hearing all that electronic noise.  The sounds of the wind and rain are soothing and relaxing.  They sound like eternity, or maybe nature.  I think I’ll have another cup of coffee, snuggle in my armchair with my blanket and think profound thoughts.  

It's Raining in California!

We're having a strong rain this morning in Northern California.  Wet staccato on the roof, streets shiny and wet, WATER.  We'll take it.

Joplin, Missouri: More Incredible Pictures and Videos of Devastation

The UK Mail online has some incredible photos and videos of the devastation in Joplin, Missouri.

As I mentioned before, Bro and I lived there in childhood, and Joplin has many special memories for us.

I was concerned about the fate of my elementary school alma mater, Irving School. I googled it and was dismayed to learn that Irving School is one of several that are declared "a total loss."  After all these years, the quaint red brick school building is now rubble.  I attended 2nd grade into 4th grade there, until we moved to California in January 1954.

Since our former home was near Irving School, it is a good bet that it was destroyed as well.

See the UK Mail online photos and videos at this link.

Tornado Watch for San Jose, Santa Clara and San Francisco Bay Area

A tornado watch is in effect in my neck of the woods -- namely, the Bay Area, including Morgan Hill, where my favorite cigar store is located.  Call out the national guard!  Sandbags now!!

Seriously, I have never seen a tornado in California, though I lived through several as a child in New Mexico and Missouri.  Winds have been strong here and it has been raining heavily.   My band practice was called off due to a prolonged power outage in San Jose.  Tornado?  I'll believe it when my roof disappears.

Right now the weather is fairly mild -- no wind, but the streets are still quite wet.

Update for Jan 21 (Thursday) -- The U.S. Severe Weather Map doesn't show any tornado warnings for California today, but there are plenty of warnings about possible flooding.  See the map here.