Yesterday, we walked in Forest Park. It was likely the last dry day of what looks like an epically wet week. Kicking this off, today we are forecasted to have severe weather. There might be tornadoes, most likely we will get hail. There will definitely be high winds. There are only two large trees left near the house, but both of them are along the powerline. Hopefully, they will stay standing.

On my phone, the approaching storms are already visible on radar. Currently mid-state, they are well festooned with yellow thunderstorm and red tornado boxes. This storm line is forecasted to strike here by four. Meaning that this post will likely have gone to press by then. I’ll update you on the flipside.

In the park, in the calm before the storm, there were more pleasant signs of spring. Red-eared sliders were sunning themselves and a muskrat was seen swimming by with cattail reeds, to line its nest. Both species were in a sense busy doing their spring homemaking. Whether by simply carrying their houses along with them or by fashioning them with local materials.

I am not afraid for my personal safety and our little house on the prairie is like a rock, but it can be damaged. We live on the doorstep of the Great Plains, neighbors to tornado alley. The city’s heat island effect usually acts as a bulwark for us. Deflecting the worst weather aside. Let’s hope it does its job once again.