I took a long walk this morning. I went a route I’ve never taken before and was rewarded for my effort. I was greeted by a funny little hummingbird, a roadrunner, a massive bluejay, and the largest hawk I’ve ever seen in my life!

I have no idea how far I walked. I only know I was lost-ish. Thought I could figure out how to get to my main road by going well around it from a different direction. Wrong. And I didn’t even care. I simply turned back and went the way I came.

Glad I got out early because the Wind has picked up quite a bit. I’ve had to change into heavier pants and a long-sleeved t-shirt. And a sweater. Plus, I’m curled up with a blanket. I’ve also closed all the windows and I hope they remain closed with these blustery conditions. They have a habit of working their way open. Old buildings and old windows, amirite?

The updated forecast says we may get rain. I’ll believe it when I see it. It did, however, smell like rain this morning. But the skies were blue and full of wispy clouds. At least now there’s some gray overhead. Still, I don’t believe it’ll rain. It would only rain if I decided to head to the store and do my grocery shopping that’s two weeks behind. Ha! I’ll wait until tomorrow. Maybe.

I was hoping to include a picture of the trees being whipped around by the winds, but the moment I had that thought, the wind stopped playing nice. So all you get is the screencap of the updated forecast. Boo! BOOOOO! The trees were looking rather spectacular and utterly windswept. Especially against the darker sky. Oh well.

If I could think of a way to make a gif, I would include one of the caution tape that rings part of the yard where there’s an attempt to get the grass to grow in once more. The tape is doing a funny little dance and I’m amused.

Update @ 14:36 – there are actual raindrops. Most are coming in sideways as the wind blows hard from the east.

Two awful low res pics of one of the palms being blown about. First pic is a little wind. Second is a bit more wind. And screw what the forecast page said, cuz it’s been off all day. My landlord’s uncle is wrapped up in a down jacket and is wearing a wool cap and gloves! I can tell you from the wind pushing itself in between all the gaps in the windows that it’s nowhere near the “current temp of 62°”. I’m guessing we’re more like 56-58° with the wind chill, if even that. Winds between 35-60mph, with gusts to 80mph.

Update 2 15:01 – Fuck! Someone better talk me out of bringing the kittens inside. They’re miserable! Rightfully so. It’s beastly out there. But, they’ve yet to be vaccinated or wormed and I can’t take the chance with Fletch. I can’t. But my heart is breaking in a thousand ways knowing how miserable they are outside. I just gave Lily a cuddle when I went out to secure a couple things on the patio/porch. She whimpered in my arms. I almost broke down right then and there. This is torture! I convinced her to snuggle close to Bandit though as he’s decided to camp out up here for some reason. I love that dog, love that he loves me and Fletch, but he is lacking some old fashioned common sense, he is. And now he’s curled up with two kittens upstairs when they all should be tucked away inside their home. I may call their owner before I end up with the three of them in here with the two of us.

Update 3 15:38 – it’s stupid cold out there without a coat or hat. But I went out to try to talk the dog and the kittens into staying in the laundry room. The kitties have fresh water and food, there are clothes from their owners on the dryer for them to burrow into, and there are two rugs for Bandito to lie on. It’s sheltered. It’s a lot warmer than being outside. And I got the door propped “just so” in case they need to go out for a potty break. But noooo! They want to hang out with me. With us. And I can’t risk it with my fuzznugget. I wish I could. I can’t I can’t I can’t I can’t I can’t I can’t I can’t I can’t. I just can’t. That’s why I tried to show them how lovely it would be for them in the laundry room! Gah! They’re killing me. God grant me the strength to do the right thing for my furry little monster. I won’t look outside again. I won’t. I won’t even glance at the door when I hear them scratching and meowing and snuffling about. I won’t. I’ll be Strong. I’ll be strong I’ll be strong I’ll be strong I’ll be strong I’ll be strong. I will. I may need to medicate my way through it, but I’ll be strong.

P.S. This would be one of those nights when Pooh should NOT let the strange noise in. Guarantee it won’t be Tigger.