Showing posts with label weather. Show all posts
Showing posts with label weather. Show all posts
7/16/13
4/25/13
12/31/12
8/29/12
5/6/12
Stormy Blue
Storm cells of Adam's Ale tinged with blush...
There is no rolling thunder
simply rustling of trees,
followed by a calm silence
prior to powerful cloudburst,
that drenches earth beneath to
soak it with much needed
Adam's Ale.
There is no rolling thunder
simply rustling of trees,
followed by a calm silence
prior to powerful cloudburst,
that drenches earth beneath to
soak it with much needed
Adam's Ale.
4/27/12
3/21/12
3/2/12
Stamen of Aloe Vera
Bursting fertilizing seeds into orbit...
Organ of reproduction, filament and anther.
An Aloe Vera stamen as thread of the warp,
Stands and releases its labyrinthine pollen grains
To the atmosphere for animal kingdom and weather,
In mode of distribution paradoxical and perplexing.
Serving as propagation of the salving medicinal succulent.
Organ of reproduction, filament and anther.
An Aloe Vera stamen as thread of the warp,
Stands and releases its labyrinthine pollen grains
To the atmosphere for animal kingdom and weather,
In mode of distribution paradoxical and perplexing.
Serving as propagation of the salving medicinal succulent.
2/8/12
2/2/12
Arizona Blossoms
Faux spring arrives early in the urban desert...
In Phoenix the trees start to turn brown in November and generally do not drop off the trees until a cold snap that arrives with cold wind to blow them off and rain bringing them to the ground. In late January depending on the weather the buds will grow and if there is a warm spell will come to full blossom. Very often the flowers do not last long since cooler weather will arrive again as it is next week. Then the trees will rebud and blossom again for a real spring.
1/16/12
Black and White Make Gray
Not necessarily a blue mood...
Admittedly I would not like to live in a place that rains a lot, gray clouds are the norm and the landscape seemingly bleak. We've experienced gray clouds and rather stark skies this past weekend for desert country that is usually bright and clear. Some would say that the desert is austere and monochromatic but since I know where and how to look for the beauty and color I think not.
Therefore I tend to view a gray and bare day as a rare opportunity to explore how to make it have a life of its own and discover the hidden beauty in it. I'm supposing that people who live in that type of climate all the time and like it do the same thing as those of us who enjoy the desert do. As a matter of fact I've come to think that the real art in living and creative endeavors is not what strikes you right away. It is that which is subtle and the allure takes time to absorb its values that make it attractive.
In reality whether urban or rural the aesthetic must be sought since it rarely makes itself obvious immediately. Taking photographs in color is wonderful because color bursts out at you and makes itself known right away to be worked with. Working in black and white or with sepia and other forms of monochromatic pictures is another application of art of itself. Both are satisfying but the challenge is enhancing the beauty that is not quite so evident. The education is that this is a case of art imitating how to live life.
Admittedly I would not like to live in a place that rains a lot, gray clouds are the norm and the landscape seemingly bleak. We've experienced gray clouds and rather stark skies this past weekend for desert country that is usually bright and clear. Some would say that the desert is austere and monochromatic but since I know where and how to look for the beauty and color I think not.
In reality whether urban or rural the aesthetic must be sought since it rarely makes itself obvious immediately. Taking photographs in color is wonderful because color bursts out at you and makes itself known right away to be worked with. Working in black and white or with sepia and other forms of monochromatic pictures is another application of art of itself. Both are satisfying but the challenge is enhancing the beauty that is not quite so evident. The education is that this is a case of art imitating how to live life.
1/4/12
2012 Social, Economic, Political
Lay a foundation of inner strength for the long haul...
This past year was one that I certainly cannot say "it went by so fast" since for me it didn't. It was a dramatic year of magnificent highs and lows, replete with drama resolved, that I fully lived every day of. Snitching a phrase it was "a time for every season" and a cliche it was a "passage of life" with the conundrum puzzled out. What I learned in the past year, after figuring out I didn't know as much as I thought, provided guide stones for what will certainly be a tumultuous year for our country and world. Going through and beyond personal milestones and stumbling blocks provided a solid foundation to allow me to personally cope with a globe going out of control that I can do little about. I learned that the external social disruption, economic disaster and political turmoil of the past few years cannot derail me and that I have the internal will to survive what may come.
This year the change in society will become evident to everyone and few will be able to live in denial. The economic crackup that seemingly took a brief holiday last year will return full force and cause social, economic and political realms to change. We are in for a tough year when the recognition that the quick fixes didn't work will out of necessity fade into settling in for a long haul of change and restoration. It is the end of the world as we knew it but not the end of the world, rather the aurora of a new period in history. People will stumble and fall as well as survive and thrive. Our goal is through skills of inner strength overcome and creatively rise above the fray relatively unscathed. We are of little use to others if we are not capable of keeping ourselves tethered to the shore.
When the world around us is spinning off its axis it's critical to remind ourselves we have no control over it. While external events may affect us how we respond and cope with them is what matters. A great thing about getting older truly is getting wiser. To gain wisdom we must learn from our past mistakes and victories so we may burrow a strong foothold on the spinning top of earth and keep our feet planted in the ground so as not to fly off.
The easy road to problems and difficulties is avoidance and procrastination except that actually results in multiplying into more bad situations. Painful and demanding is the road that leads to breaking through hard times but the by-product is not only resolutions but also acquiring new coping skills. It is these skills that we build an inherent infrastructure to keep us rooted on terra firma to avoid being blown away by extraneous gales and headwinds. If you haven't already, start laying your foundation of readiness to calmly live through the tempest. If you already have then keep building.
This past year was one that I certainly cannot say "it went by so fast" since for me it didn't. It was a dramatic year of magnificent highs and lows, replete with drama resolved, that I fully lived every day of. Snitching a phrase it was "a time for every season" and a cliche it was a "passage of life" with the conundrum puzzled out. What I learned in the past year, after figuring out I didn't know as much as I thought, provided guide stones for what will certainly be a tumultuous year for our country and world. Going through and beyond personal milestones and stumbling blocks provided a solid foundation to allow me to personally cope with a globe going out of control that I can do little about. I learned that the external social disruption, economic disaster and political turmoil of the past few years cannot derail me and that I have the internal will to survive what may come.
The easy road to problems and difficulties is avoidance and procrastination except that actually results in multiplying into more bad situations. Painful and demanding is the road that leads to breaking through hard times but the by-product is not only resolutions but also acquiring new coping skills. It is these skills that we build an inherent infrastructure to keep us rooted on terra firma to avoid being blown away by extraneous gales and headwinds. If you haven't already, start laying your foundation of readiness to calmly live through the tempest. If you already have then keep building.
11/20/11
11/16/11
Static Electricity
Snap, Crackle and Pop...
Somewhere in the desert steel in the air is mixing with bad brew.
Somewhere in the desert steel in the air is mixing with bad brew.
10/17/11
10/5/11
Urban Desert Revival
Dust storm followed by rain changes the season...
Yesterday was quite the day for weather in Phoenix tipping the balance from hot urban heat island summer to cool winter. Simply put we only have two seasons here: very hot summer and temperate winter; for all practical purposes we skip the in between seasons. The leaves on deciduous trees don't turn and drop off until late November and then bud green and mature in late March. During four blasting months of summer we get cabin fever in the reverse of colder climates since June through September our temperatures are in triple digits ranging around 110 to 115 degrees Fahrenheit (45 Celsius). We get some rain but due to the urban heat island effect most rainfall doesn't move into the city so we get dust storms instead.
Yesterday was a classic shift of weather in from one season to another that occurs with a transitioning storm. In the morning a balmy wind started blowing and the sky was overcast and appeared as if we were getting another mild dust storm. It turned out to be a full blown dust storm by midday slowing and even stopping freeways and enveloping the city obscuring buildings and distant mountains. After the storm blew through there was a brief period of weak sun but by late afternoon storm clouds were gathering. Around 17:30 from on top of my roof I could see rain falling in spot cells off in the distance. Then the unique tint that comes from the desert sky when weather is mixing cast over the desert floor in its beautiful way.
A little while later came steady rain washing summer's dust and grime off roofs, streets, trees and ground giving everything a good wash down. This storm brought with it cooler air from Alaska no less and we had turned the page from our long parched summer to the fair pleasant cool season starting our winter. All summer scorched time has stood still while we waited for salvation from the weather and now it is time for our winter revival.
Yesterday was quite the day for weather in Phoenix tipping the balance from hot urban heat island summer to cool winter. Simply put we only have two seasons here: very hot summer and temperate winter; for all practical purposes we skip the in between seasons. The leaves on deciduous trees don't turn and drop off until late November and then bud green and mature in late March. During four blasting months of summer we get cabin fever in the reverse of colder climates since June through September our temperatures are in triple digits ranging around 110 to 115 degrees Fahrenheit (45 Celsius). We get some rain but due to the urban heat island effect most rainfall doesn't move into the city so we get dust storms instead.
A little while later came steady rain washing summer's dust and grime off roofs, streets, trees and ground giving everything a good wash down. This storm brought with it cooler air from Alaska no less and we had turned the page from our long parched summer to the fair pleasant cool season starting our winter. All summer scorched time has stood still while we waited for salvation from the weather and now it is time for our winter revival.
8/19/11
12/27/10
Arizona Landscape
A Year of Equinox and Solstice Sun and Moon...
Winter Solstice 12/21/09
New Years Day 2010 Blue Moon
Vernal Equinox Sunset 03/20/10
Summer Solstice 06/21/10
Autumnal Equinox Sunset 18:15 09/22/10
Autumnal Full Moon Sunrise 06:45 MST 09/23/10
Umber Moon before Eclipse 20:20 MST 12/20/10
Winter Solstice Sunrise 12/21/10
Winter Solstice Moon 12/21/10
Winter Solstice 12/21/09
New Years Day 2010 Blue Moon
Vernal Equinox Sunset 03/20/10
Summer Solstice 06/21/10
Autumnal Equinox Sunset 18:15 09/22/10
Autumnal Full Moon Sunrise 06:45 MST 09/23/10
Umber Moon before Eclipse 20:20 MST 12/20/10
Winter Solstice Sunrise 12/21/10
Winter Solstice Moon 12/21/10
12/22/10
10/22/10
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)