So we’re up to three nights in a row of thunderstorms here in the desert. This is rather enjoyable.
More Storms.
It’s well beyond monsoon season but another Nature continues to be in a stormy mood.
While out for my walk yesterday afternoon I noticed more air traffic than usual overhead. A little digging into Twitter and it turns out Phoenix has being hit with 50+ MPH winds and an impressive sandstorm, so inbound flights to Sky Harbor were in holding patterns over Tucson. This ties in well with my instrument training currently in progress as I’ve been practicing these types of holds in much smaller airplanes.
Here’s one of the tracks of holding airliners overhead during the sandstorm.
It looks like this pilot wanted to do their own thing, though.
I enjoy storms, as long as I’m not flying in them.
Correspondence.
Once or twice a year I’ll receive a handwritten letter from a local person encouraging me to find myself, reduce my stress, bring serenity to my life, etc. by becoming a Jehovah’s Witness (or is it ‘join the Jehovah’s Witnesses?). I’ve received these letters for many years, in all the locales that we’ve lived in. Apparently my name and needs are on a mailing list somewhere.
These letters don’t bother me. I actually read them. I don’t feel compelled to take any action, as I have my own spiritual beliefs and I’m quite solid in what I believe, but I find the correspondence interesting. No two letters are the same. Perhaps the senders are provided many templates.
I hope the authors find peace through sending me these letters.
Early.
Early flights are beautiful here in the desert. Here’s a picture of the Cessna 172 I flew this morning. The photo was taken right at sunrise here in southern Arizona.
This time of day is particularly business for General Aviation aircraft here in the desert. By the time the sun heats the desert later in the day, it becomes quite bumpy and there’s increased chance of thunderstorms this time of year. The morning provided for a smooth flight.
It was quite enjoyable.
Caturday.
On Tuesday Truman started his nap at 12:15 p.m., after I came upstairs at lunch time to take a few minutes from my work office.
At 5:00 p.m. he was still in the same place on the same blanket in the same spot in the couch. He was quite comfortable.
He did not enjoy the photographic moment.
Mental Health.
The folks at work occasionally share motivational tidbits to keep the workforce, erm, motivated. I found this mental health calendar interesting and I’ve decided to take a glance at it every day in the month of October. Perhaps it’ll keep the whirlwind going on in my brain a bit more shiny and a little less chaotic.
Unfortunately the links in the document were not shared. I’ll have to scout around for the original source material.
Lunch.
Many years ago Grandpa Country told me I should marry a rich, old broad or someone that can cook.
I went with someone that can cook. The finances are a private matter.
Back Seat.
Every once in a while a song will come up on “Yacht Rock” radio and I’m nine years old again, sitting in the back seat of my Dad’s 1978 Chevy Impala on a Sunday night, riding north on I-81 from Syracuse to our home along Lake Ontario. Some of my happiest childhood memories are from those rides; there aren’t any specific events that mark these occasions, it’s more of a feeling of safety and contentment and wonder.
Today Nicolette Larson’s “Lotta Love” came on and again my mind took me to the back seat of the baby blue Impala. It was the “Sport Coupe” model, as dad considered himself way too young to own a four door sedan. The hum of the V8 350 still rings in my ears as Nicolette’s voice played from the single speaker in the dash, from the AM radio always tuned to 62 WHEN.
From 1978 here’s Nicolette Larson with “Lotta Love”.
Wind Down.
I’ve gotten in the habit of sitting on our roof for about 10-15 minutes before heading to bed. The desert winds are amazing at this time of year. Still kicking up to nearly 20 MPH, the breeze is warm and makes a lovely sound as it passes through the landscape. I find it comforting. After thunderstorms I am most impressed by wind when it comes to Mother Nature’s activities.
On my walk earlier this evening I saw eight dots moving across the sky in different directions. Undoubtedly satellites, I usually see only one or two at a time. Seeing eight ear unusual to me. Inspiring, but unusual.
