Day 5 - 24 -- Wind

Water running everywhere -- the temperatures rose overnight melting much of the snow and ice. Large piles of slush that were ice remained in my yard this evening as the temps are falling well below freezing. The sun was amazing. While walking across campus this afternoon the warmth of the sun was so unexpected. The light, melting, warmth and wind reminded me of a March day. That was surprising. We have a long way to go before spring changes arrive. After a great dinner out with friends this evening, the wind had strengthened and switched to a northerly blast from the warmer westerlies of the afternoon.

While feeling the wind on my face this afternoon, I began to think about wind. It can bring weather changes -- storms coming in and going out. It can be gentle or destructive. What I felt today reminded me of the Chinook winds that blow from the eastern side of the Rockies across the foothills into the western edge of the prairies. A warm wind termed 'snow eater'. That made me think of the names for winds around the world -- monsoon, mistral, sirocco, Santa Ana, Les Suetes, and zephyrs. Such cool sounding words for the movement of air. I found it interesting to realize the need for local names for similar events. Intriguing.

The only song that seemed to fit this well is from a musical. It just says it all today <smile>. Enjoy!

They Call the Winds Mariah -- Harve Presnell (Paint Your Wagon)