When Mother Nature does not play nice

I have always had a love-hate fascination with the weather. I think I got this from my dad who loved weather and weather watching and predicting and everything that involved the weather. He had a knack for it and used the farmers almanac faithfully as well. He lived off the land as a farmer and was at the mercy of the weather his entire life. It could make or break his livelyhood. I also think my dad's love of the weather and mine as well rubbed off on my eldest son who has a degree in meteorology and honestly, and not just because I'm his mom, I think he knows his stuff and does a great job of forecasting   : )

But Mother Nature seems a little off course lately. We had a week or two of beautiful weather in early March with temps in the 50-70 degree range and we were all thinking spring was here to stay! (I know we should know better!) Then things got chilly and we woke up to the ground white with snow on Sunday. And now we could be doing a tornado-snow dance later today into tomorrow after yesterday was in the 60's. What the heck? Yes, there is thundersnow-it's a cool thing to experience if you haven't ever. And yes I remember a snowstorm in early April as a kid that kept me home from school for four days (I was a happy 4th grader!). But as an adult who likes to get outside and exercise daily this back and forth, thing drives me a bit crazy. I'm glad to be off the treadmill and back outside. I like the sweat I get from being outside, I can adjust what I wear when I'm outside so I do get a good sweat. But this one day upper 60's and the next day the temp dropping to the 30's and we end up with a cold rain that turns to snow is not what I signed up for or asked for! But then again no one asked me!  That taste of spring we had was enough to make me happy with the warmer temps and spring and summer days to come. It definitely was a teaser!

I will admit that fall is my favorite season. I love the warm days and chilly evenings. I love the colors. And honestly, I don't mind winter and the snow either. It is what it is, we have no control over the weather and why complain about it, just be prepared and go along for the ride.

But what I love-hate about the weather is the severe weather. I grew up where the farmland is more flat than were I live now. I could see for miles from the farm I grew up on. So I've had the experience of seeing funnel clouds turn into tornados in the distance or approaching. It's a thrill but yet a fearful experience. I would always lag behind to stay with my dad when he would yell for us to head to the basement when things got bad weather-wise. I've had my share of personal experiences with severe weather. One time while at home with just my brother the clouds got dark and ominous and we, being responsible farm kids, headed to the barn to shut the big outside hay loft doors, winds could life the barn room and we did not want that to happen. The wind was so strong and fierce as I attempted to bring the door down and latch it shut that as I hung on to the door the wind lifted the door and me off the hay bales I was standing on. My brother grabbed my ankles and pulled me and the door back down. We got things closed up and thanks to our quick thinking saved the barn roof. It was an experience that I have not forgotten. And there have been many times I've heard the tornadic sounds that is best described as a freight train noise overhead. It is a scary feeling and you are at the mercy of nature. I've watched hail destroy what looked to be a bumper crop while just a mile down the road there was no hail damage and the fields are left untouched. Mother Nature is sometimes wicked and cruel. But you have to respect her and let her do what she wants to do.

So today we will ride out another wacky and wild weather day from what the forecasters are saying. It sounds like we will have snow again and lots of cold rain. But we always need the moisture and spring is about rain for the land. I just would like to have some nice weather over the weekend and let things warm up a bit. But springtime in Iowa always means every changing weather, wind and temperatures that flucuate constantly! It's life and its the seasons and I would not want it any other way. Besides, like I said we are just along for the ride and we have no control over what Mother Nature decides to "bless" us with!

Positive thought of the day: I love the every changing seasons. I think I would go a little nuts if I lived some place that constantly had the same weather....unless of course it involved an ocean and a beach and sunshine! : )