Chief Meteorologist Mark Johnson, Denver Needs You.

Over here in Cleveland, you have trained us in the proper behavior for stormy weather.  You cut into General Hospital and bombard us with Doppler Radar views and weather maps, zeroing in on actual streets that are in the path of a storm.  You have instructed us to contact our friends and family members who may be engaged in outside activities and not watching TV.  You have instructed us to cancel school or other activities, to stay home and off the streets, and to go to our safe place.  And we have learned well.  I can’t tell you how many people have told me that they spent the evening in their basements a few weeks ago when we followed the approach of severe weather with you from Toledo to the Pennsylvania State Line.

We were in Denver last week.  They were having severe weather.  Sky was black and very scary.  I got a weather warning on my iPhone and we were surrounded by tornado sirens.  Kind of scary to an Ohioan.  But my granddaughters announced that they were going for manicures and did I want to go too. We went and the storm blew on by.

Next day we were driving into Denver to the graduation ceremony.  Sky again looked bad and the tornado sirens were wailing.  Grandson called and told us that the weather at the auditorium was terrible and the cops were directing people to park as quickly as possible and get into the building.  Despite that, the highway was bumper to bumper with people heading into the storm.

Obviously, Mark Johnson, they need your firm hand.  I should know.  A couple months ago I ignored your warnings and totaled my car.

Fire in the Mountain

National news is reporting on the Rockport5 Fire near Park City, Utah.  Well, we have a front row seat. Ralph and I are at Robin’s house which is on the top of the next mountain ridge, about 3 miles away from the blaze.  It began with a lightening strike near Rockport State Park at about 2 p.m. on Tuesday that exploded into flames in the dry terrain.  It was a very small thunderstorm that was gone as quickly as it came and did nothing to put out the flames.

Wednesday morning the fire officials reported that 1,920 acres were burned, 14 houses, 20 outbuildings and several vehicles were destroyed but there were no injuries.  The fire was 20% contained. 250 homes in Rockport Estates, Bridgehollow and Promontory Subdivision were under evacuation order until Thursday evening.

We sat on the deck all Tuesday afternoon until well into the night watching.

Your Flight Has Been Canceled!

I am in Park City visiting Robin.  Claire returned from India last Sunday.  Had lunch today with Robin, both Grace and Claire, and Robin’s friend Ruth.  Stimulating conversation with some of my favorite women.  Tonight we are going to dinner in Salt Lake City at The Wild Grape with Jim’s mother, Abbie, where Claire is going to distribute the gifts she brought home from India.  And tomorrow evening we are going, of course, to see the film The Way Way Back.  I am having a really wonderful time.  But it wasn’t easy getting here.

On Tuesday morning we were awaken to a phone call from Delta advising that my morning flight to Salt Lake City had been canceled and they had rescheduled me on a noon flight with a connection through JFK.

“We must reduce the passenger count to 54.”

Last Monday while we were in Denver waiting to board our plane for Cleveland, the agent announced that because of the heat, temperature in low 90’s, they had “weight limitations” and had to reduce the passenger count to 54.  He was asking for volunteers.

Claire’s Trip to India – June 2013

My 16-year old granddaughter Claire is going to India in June as a volunteer for RisingStar Outreach.org in which she will be helping families with leprosy.   To find out more about this amazing trip, read on.