Photo: L. Weikel

Enormous Thunderstorms

We were bombarded this afternoon. The oppressive heat that’s been building over the past several days yielded to a 20 degree drop in temperature this afternoon when waves of enormous thunderstorms arrived from the south.

Massive, angry-looking banks of deep slate-gray thunderheads slid into our area. As the front arrived, it almost felt like the onslaught of alien invaders. The sky darkened and wind suddenly started whipping around, swinging the birdfeeders and sending the wind chimes into a clamoring frenzy.

We could hear the rain approaching before it arrived. Sheets and sheets of it cascaded from the heavens immediately overflowing not only our home’s gutters but also the creek across the road. What might qualify as a small pond appeared near our barn within 20 minutes.

Soothing Noise

As these storms arrived, our home became so dark in the middle of the afternoon that it could easily have passed for an hour past sunset. The steady pelting of the massive raindrops created such a uniform clatter that, along with the darkness, I felt compelled to listen. I lay down on our bed and simply allowed Mother Nature to soothe my soul.

Laying on the bed in the darkness, I stopped thinking. I felt held by the storm; comforted by the wild saturation and ultimate letting loose of all that moisture.

Temporary Respite

Sadly, the respite from the blanketing heat was short-lived. We never did get a walk in today, although we did manage to mow the lawn before the rain arrived. I just went outside again before settling in to write this post and was shocked to feel how thick and warm the air is again. Warmer than I expected at this late hour.

This month is going to be intense. I feel it in my bones.

Photo: L. Weikel

(T-508)