That's Gneiss! #84 ~ Hail-o There!
Good morning from yesterday!
I’m writing from the first day of a four-day weekend that includes a camping trip to Money Creek, just an hour or so east on SR 2. Not as far as Stevens Pass, but far enough to feel like we’re away from home! I’ll report back next week and let you know how the trip went. The first of the season are always interesting.
This past week we had some dramatic weather. The move to the area where the Puget Sound Convergence Zone occurs is living up to what I expected! See the video posted below to learn what it is, and how it develops.
On Thursday afternoon I took the dog out for his walk after work (he doesn’t work, I do), and there were some interesting clouds nearby. I thought I heard a rumble of thunder while we were out, but it was still a very pleasant walk.
Within minutes after returning home it looked like this outside - HAIL!!!
Good thing I watered the garden.
I tell you, life is certainly more exciting here in Everett.
We are quite fortunate here when it comes to hail - it never gets very big. Certainly not big enough to do real damage. As Michael just said - anytime hail is described as the size of fruit, you know you’re [expletive]. Our hail is small potatoes (or peas) compared to the ice bombs that do this kind of damage.
How does hail form, you ask?
Hail is a form of precipitation that occurs when updrafts in thunderstorms carry raindrops upward into extremely cold areas of the atmosphere where they freeze into balls of ice. Hail can damage aircraft, homes and cars, and can be deadly to livestock and people.
See the videos below for some crazy hail storm action. Yep - we’re really lucky here!
In other news, I sold a photo! Every now and then I’m contacted by someone asking permission to use one of my photos for something. I’ve never turned anyone down, and I have photos in a number of publications. Last week I got a call from a company that makes maps, and they want to use this photo on the cover of their Olympic Peninsula map!
So many of my favorite things, all together - maps, and the Olympic Peninsula! They’re even going to pay me $100 and send me some maps. Huzzah!
I had another photo sale not long ago, and I can finally share because the book is now available for pre-order.
That’s my photo on the cover! So exciting. I did get some money, and I’ll be getting a few copies of the book when it comes out in July. Exciting!
That’s all for now - time to go camping!
Aloha! See you next week.
Tidbits
Take a trip back in time with the Version Museum: A Visual History of Your Favorite Technology
National Park Typeface - recreate the iconic lettering on National Park Service signs
Too many tote bags? Don’t worry, you’re not alone…
Giant water bugs (quite large, for a bug)
Making: not much this week - I was busy being tired!
Recently eaten: we finally got around to trying out a Pho restaurant - Janbo Cafe. It was excellent! Next time I think I’ll get a small bowl of Pho and try one of their legendary cream puffs. I was just too full this time.
Reading: I decided to ditch the Humorless Ladies of Border Patrol - it was a bit dull and I couldn’t see going on with it for almost 400 pages. I need to decide what to bring along camping - maybe the other two books I’m working on? I could race right through the rest of Hippies in Our Midst and the book of creepy short stories. I’ll see what mood I’m in when I finish packing for the trip. I always take too many books along anyhow…
Videos of the Week
An informative explanation of how the Puget Sound Convergence Zone develops.
Hail - no laughing matter!
And one more, because it’s just nuts. Ever wonder what it sounds like to be stuck in a Best Buy during a massive hail storm? And just when you think it might be over… sorry - no!
Question of the Week
Answer if you wish, and I’ll share next week - anonymously of course. Just hit reply…
Are you pen-particular or pencil-picky? If so, what are your favorites?
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Last week I asked what the title of you life story would be.
A Lifetime Of Compromise
‘THE GREATEST U-TURN OF ALL TIME’
You Moss Be Kidding Me!
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