Tag: weather

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Bring on the summer!

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
Daily writing prompt
What is your favorite type of weather?
View all responses

My short answer: summer.

Yep. I love summer. Even in Florida, where I’ve lived for twenty eight years. `

I love hot temperatures, humidity, waking up to 75 degrees in the morning, and a day of shorts and nothing else.

I love sweating from the moment I walk out the door in the morning. I love the boiling hot car seats that only cool off after two minutes after starting the car AC. I love walking the dogs in warm predawn weather, knowing that this is as cool as it will get all day.

I love sweating while working in the yard or a sweaty garage gym workout. I love feeling the sun beat down on me while walking the dogs at dawn or cutting the lawn in the evening.

I love having to smear sunblock all over my body every day. I love the rumblings of distant thunderstorms. I love the longer hours of daylight.

Everyone else escapes the hot summer months. I relish them!

Posted in Home improvement

Tear it down and start over

Posted on by William Douthwaite

“Did they put the pool in first? I’ve never seen that before.”

“And look, there’s an AC air handler and a paver driveway.”

“Wait a minute. this is where that house was. You know, the one torn up by the tornado.”

I went back through my dog walking photos and found these crazy pics from last fall, when a tornado spun off from some strong thunderstorms last fall. No one was in the yellow house when the twister tore the roof off. It sat there roofless for six months before anything happened.

And then suddenly, one day, it was gone. At a time where lots are cleared and new homes go up every week, this is an unusual sight. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a block home demolished in preparation for new construction. I’ll bet it’s expensive to demo a home, remove the debris, and start over. There was one house around the block that was destroyed in a fire. But they rebuilt it after stripping it down to the block and foundation. Construction is supposed to withstand 150 mph hurricane winds. Clearly you don’t want to mess with a tornado.

I didn’t see any permits, so I don’t know what’s going to happen next. I suppose you would feel secure living in the next house built here. After all, what are the odds of the same home in Florida being hit by a second tornado?

Posted in dogs

Walking in the rain

Posted on by William Douthwaite

It was a rainy weekend, so my daily walks with the dogs were wet. I didn’t hear any thunder and there weren’t any downpours, but I was glad I wore my rain jacket. I needed a few towels to dry off the beasts when we returned home.

As we walked, I noticed how quiet rainy walks are. We didn’t encounter anyone else in the morning or the evening. Only a couple of cars drove by. No birds were singing. No squirrels were chittering. It’s just us, a cool breeze, and the gentle background noise of raindrops.

Both dogs are reluctant to go out at first, but enjoy it once we get going. Every once in a while, they pause to shake off the water, starting from the head and working to the tail. Thirsty? There’s always a puddle to sample. Mud along the side of the road? They don’t even notice it as they walk through.

I used to run with Labrador retrievers. Cold and rainy? They loved it. We called it “Labrador weather.” The more inclement, the better. Driving rain? Bring it on. Freezing rain? Better watch your step. It’s pouring. Their look said, “Can we go outside?”

Some of my best runs and road races were on rainy days. The rain is a cooling agent against the heat running generates. So I could push a little harder and go a little long with a gentle shower. I ran some of my best training and race times in the rain. Running in the rain is empowering. Nothing can stop you, not even the elements.

When we adopted our Westie, the previous owners had bought him a monogrammed raincoat. A raincoat for a dog? Nope. Not for my dog. I never wore anything special to run in. If it’s raining, you’re going to get wet. Get used to it. Savor it. Enjoy it.

Posted in Life

I don’t want to miss the storm

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by reza shayestehpour on Unsplash

Constant news updates warned of approaching storms. News feeds were filled with photos of hands gripping baseball-sized hail. The traffic update boards on the interstate alerted drivers to a tornado watch. The weather radar was lit with green, yellow, orange, and red-colored systems headed our way. Storm trackers were dotted with little lightning bolts. The radio station reported where the storms were most likely to hit next and when.

I wondered if our evening meeting would be canceled. People are like that, you know. Events are canceled when someone catches the scent of severe weather. I’m happy about this. I don’t want to be out on the road when the rain is so heavy I can hardly see the taillights of the car in front of me. I want to be inside if and when a funnel cloud decides to appear. I am thankful for a safe and secure home in which to wait out the storm.

This time the storms never reached our area. Very little rain, just a little wind, and no destructive winds. To be honest, I was disappointed. I’m glad no storms hurt my neighborhood (or any neighborhood).

But I missed the storm.

I missed the sheets of rain blowing across our street. I missed the dark clouds rushing by. I missed the thunder rumbling in the distance. I missed watching the trees swaying in the wind. I missed the sound of a million drops on the roof.

I missed the storm.

Rainy afternoons are great for naps. Sleep comes quickly with the soothing sound of the wind. The rumble of far-off thunder is nature’s subwoofer, with frequencies felt as much as heard. The steady tapping of drops on the roof is calming.

The best part about the storm? I know the One who made the storms and can control them. The storm reminds me of His power, His presence, and His promises.