Tropical Storm Fay & Bloggy Giveaways

No school again today. Tropical Storm Fay isn't out of breath yet. We're still standing just fine, though. I had someone who will remain nameless (Justine!) beg me to take pictures. I tried to tell her it's just RAIN. Why does anyone want to see rain? Well, to shut her up make her happy, I took some, but you know what they look like? Yep, RAIN! Dark, gloomy, blurry--rain. So sorry, no pictures. Please don't hate me.

However, to placate those of you who want--really want to see how windy it gets, I have a video. There's a sport called kite surfing. You grab a bar that is attached to a giant kite and hang on. Here's an example of why you should NOT do this during a tropical storm. Notice, please, the other people on the beach who are not blown away.


The fellow is in critical condition. I'm sure the sand in his mouth will remain for awhile.

We should experience gusts up to 60mph soon. It's rained all night long--heavy rain, but Johnny and I slept through it. The good news: it will pass over Lake Okeechobee, our natural lake that provides water for the state. We've had drought conditions lately, so this is a very good thing. God is good. We need the water, and we're getting water. The bad news: some people have their electricity out; that's irritating. I've done that before, and it's no fun. However, it should be restored today. Tornadoes are predicted, and there's the real problem, but they're not BIG tornadoes like Kansas sees. We get category one tornadoes. Enough of this. On to more interesting news.

Remember the week of June 28-August 1, when there was a Bloggy Giveaways Carnival? There's one every three months. The time before that one, I entered a bunch of giveaways, but I did not win a one. However, I had fun trying! Truthfully, it was all about winning then.

However, this time, I have a blog, and I had even more fun. I gave away a $10 Target gift card, and I had fun meeting the winner and her family. That's the real fun of the carnival--meeting all the wonderful people in Blogland.

This carnival, I won three prizes! Take a look:
Daisy sent me a computer game, Brainiveristy that is going to go to some already smart grandchildren. I tell you, if it worked on a Mac, I'd have kept it for myself. (Yes, I am that selfish!)
Cindy sent me this book, Help Me, I'm Married! It is written by Joyce Meyer and is out of print. People stand in line wanting to get a copy of this book of gems.
Killashandra at Full Time in New Mexico created and made this jewelry. I received it in this beautiful lavender bag.
My camera is one of those cheap ones, so I do apologize. The red blobs are delicate red roses, my favorite flower.

The carnival is a great idea. It stirs up excitement in Blogland and allows the opportunity of meeting even more friends. I have only been blogging since June, and I am amazed at just how many new people I have grown to care about--people I talk to every day. There'll be another carnival coming up in October. Have you entered this giveaway? Did you give something away? Have any good results? Start thinking now about what you might plan to giveaway.

Hurricane Season

Today was to have been the first day of school where I live, but school is canceled.

It seems we have a storm a-comin'. Hurricane Fay is huffing and puffing much like the Big Bad Wolf did in the tale of The Three Little Pigs. You might recall that he was inept, and like him, I expect Fay is nothing but a bunch of hot air. Most often, these things turn out to be a good rain. That's all--just a good rain.

The official Atlantic hurricane season is from June 1st to November 30th. However, the folks I know pay more attention to the Caribbean saying:

June - too soon.
July - stand by!
August - look out you must.
September - remember.
October, all over.

In South Florida, we are constantly bombarded by a barrage of local weatherpersons interrupting our television and radio programs to tell us to "batten down the hatches!" I've lived here for over forty years, and I still don't know where these hatches are located! It's August, so following the Caribbean warning, I'll look out--for the hatches, I guess.

Our schools will open a day or two late. The children will have a longer summer, and my lawn will get a nice watering. I hope your day is sunny.

PS The weather guys and gals have taken over the airways (no Regis for me!) and are warning us to stay inside (all while they stand on the beach, with lovely palm trees swaying in the background).

Florida Rain

We're experiencing thunder storms most every afternoon. It's the Florida way of keeping tropical. The morning skies are brilliantly blue with a few white, fluffy clouds, but by mid-afternoon, that sky gets pretty dark, the thunder begins, and the rain pours--for an hour or two. Then, it's all clear and dry again. Sometimes, it rains at night. With the rain comes booming thunderstorms.

The thunder gets quite loud and scary; windows rattle! When my children were small, to allay their fears, I taught them that God made the thunder, the lightning, and the rain. We would always be thankful for the rain that made such pretty flowers and washed the beautiful green grass.

One night, my two-year-old boy awoke and climbed into bed with his father and me. We heard a few drops of rain begin to hit our metal awnings. Ping. Ping. Ping.

Allen said in a hushed voice, "Rain!"

"Yes," I whispered.

"God makes rain. Fank you God for the rain."

"Shh. Yes, God makes rain." I kissed his little head.

"No make funder, God! he growled."

Sweet memory.

What do you think about when you hear thunder?