Addendum: I wrote this blog with only brief excursions outside and didn't get the full SULTRINESS of the day; whoa, is it muggy, rainforest muggy. Be prepared to sweat and stay sweaty and might as well put on some bug spray to keep the flies, ticks and mosquitoes away, you're going to need a shower anyway. Still, get out and experience the atmosphere full of moisture.
Getting old has it's perks: retirement. I'm just getting there but I'm liking it already. The Earth doesn't care and continues doing its thing, wild weather and volcanoes. Alberto (is it tropical or subtropical or something else...) the first named storm of the '18 season - although we are not technically to hurricane season, again, Earth not caring - has started in the same southern Gulf/western Caribbean spot as last week's nameless storm - and is looking to do similar damage if spreading the rain/flooding a bit farther west. The eastern seaboard will still get rain just maybe not the 5+ inches in the unnamed system. But, Mississippi/Ohio valleys should be ready for flooding.
One state to the north, in Ellicott City MD, perhaps they need to reconsider calling an event a thousand year flood when it happens every 2 years. As mentioned many times in this blog: build on a flood plain and it's going to flood. 10+ inch rain events are not common...yet, but there is big change coming and luck favors the prepared.
In other "shocking" events, Kilauea opens up fissure 22 on the big island and the natural volcano process continues with no end in sight (reference the last blog for timing - it will be over in this spot in a million years). New island forms and future pineapple fields begin with the weathering of basaltic lava; pay attention and be patient.
If you get a glimpse at the evening sky between the clouds, the moon is full tomorrow and will be to the upper left of Antares, the red giant heart of Scorpio. Jupiter will be bright and off to the right (west) of the moon with Saturn rising a little later than the moon about equidistance to the east. Venus rules the southwest at dark, high up, the evening star.
My monthly rain total crept up over 7 inches yesterday with I'm betting a good shot at 8 or 9" before May is over. Virginia is much closer to rain forest than desert, and while statistics and averages are good to know there really is no average day, just another unique and lovely one. I need to find a wandering dog and get out and enjoy this warm and muggy late spring turn toward the sun.
And, be sure you remember the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice to allow me to write this, freely in an amazing place. While we should remember them daily, make sure you do, Today on Earth.
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