Storm to slam East Coast?

Forecasters are cautiously making the public aware of the possibility of a major East Coast storm around October 29. Given the considerable uncertainties involved in long-range forecasting, especially concerning tropical storms that are still in the formative stages, it will take a few more days before meteorologists can be more confident in their predictions.

According to Eric Holthaus, a meteorologist for the Wall Street Journal, if the East Coast storm were to occur, it could be one for the record books.

"What could happen is quite complicated, and may have precedence only a handful of times across the more than 200 years of detailed historical local weather recordkeeping."

I sure hope this doesn't happen. Last year we had a huge snowstorm in October and lost power for days. This sounds like it might even be worse.

Stormy with a chance of flying trees

My sister and I went for a drive this afternoon and things got a little dramatic. A dark black cloud settled over the area and a torrential rain began to fall. It was difficult to see anything through the windshield but we were on a highway so we had to keep going. We put the blinkers on and drove slowly, and the cars behind us followed our lead. But we were the first car and had no idea what lay ahead.

Suddenly the winds picked up and branches were flying around and soon covered the road. A moment later, we began to encounter downed trees. We were able to drive around the first few but we finally encountered The Big One. Traffic stopped dead and I was sure we'd be stuck there for hours. But then Local Magic Guys in Police Uniforms appeared, and they brought heavy equipment with them. They pulled that tree off the road in no time. I couldn't believe how quickly they accomplished this feat. In under an hour, we were on our way again.

By then, the sun had come out and it was all over. What was particularly strange was that on the way home we drove through patches where no rain had fallen and not one leaf was disturbed. And a few miles later, we saw areas that were soaked, with trees down everywhere. This kept happening -- wet, dry, wet, dry. It seems the storm was highly localized.

Let's face it: weather is a crap-shoot, especially these days. The guy on the teevee said another derecho plowed through the Midwest today -- and I hear it was 105 degrees in Annie-land! Whew. When my sister and I got home, there was no power but everything's back to normal now. Strange drive, strange weather. How are things in your area?

The genderless baby debate

I sort of enjoyed reading the story at the NYT about the Canadian mother who refuses to reveal her child's gender. Here's an excerpt:

Witterick [the mother] said in an email Friday that the idea that "the whole world must know what is between the baby's legs is unhealthy, unsafe and voyeuristic. We know — and we're keeping it clean, safe, healthy and private (not secret!)."

You go, girl. Though the idea that you named the kid Storm is a bit unsettling, if I may say so. It's as if you planned a firestorm in the wake of your decision. (And you did contact the press, I assume.) But I like the idea and it's made me think.

Perhaps I should stop revealing my gender. And maybe I'll adopt one of those simple one-name names, too. I could become . . . Swazoo. What do you think? Maybe it would simplify things around here, without me having to have a gender, and all. Hmmmm. But if I did this, you'd all have to keep quiet about the gender I used to be, okay? I know I can count on you guys. Hugs. Hmmm again. Xmas Carol by Swazoo. It has a ring to it.