Big Weekend, Interesting Week

Last week was busy, as we got ready for the weekend, which was even was busier.  This next week, though much quieter as far as things to do, promises to be most interesting.

The weekend was occupied by a trip to Cambria for a big family wedding, and the "gathering of the troops" for the event.  Lots of family, lots of kids, and a great time.

The biggest giggle of the wedding day was provided by the 3-year-old flower-boy.  Four boy cousins provided the Flower-boy and Ring-Bearer duties.

He was most intent on his duties.  Reaching into his basket, he'd remove a couple of petals, but instead of dropping them on the ground in front of him as most dainty little girls would do, he'd throw them up and back over his shoulder with the vigor and determination only a little boy could demonstrate.  He had everybody in stitches with his intensity and serious demeanor.

And of course, there had to be other minor glitches.  The aisle was set up with the chairs far enough apart to allow the bride, with Dad on one side and Mom on the other, to easily bring their girl to the alter.  But when the flower baskets were added, they were hung on lawn-hooks pushed into the ground inside the chairs, reducing the aisle width by at least 12 inches on each side.  As the groomsmen and bridesmaids came down the aisle, they were having to weave around the flowers.  When Mom and Dad and the bride same down, Dad had to figure out how to step around the flowers without stepping on the train on the bride's dress.  But, as a problem, it was really minor.  In the big picture, those things are pretty unimportant, but always memorable.

The rain gauge on my fence here at home collected a little rain while we were gone. This morning it shows at least 0.35-0.40 of rain, so the country got a good watering.  That sure helps the grass, which is still trying hard to grow in these warm days.  As long as the grass will grow a little, it helps my hay bill.  I am just "lunching along" the cows right now, giving them enough to help out, but that puts them away to the back field to find a little grass.

The long-range forecast says it is going to be plenty warm (mid-70's) for the next few days, with the first predicted 32 degree night not coming until Nov 14th.

I have been watching a website that has, what appears to be, a bunch of retired (and even some active) firemen who post information on this site.  (www.wildlandfire.com)

During active fires, the information on that site was amazingly current, and was exceptionally accurate in reporting size, fire activity, and potential acreage.  Plus, the timeliness of the postings about a particular fire tend to indicate some postings are coming from smart phones in the hands of firefighters on or near the actual fire.

Now that things are relatively quiet however, the conversation has turned to weather.  One post this morning referred to a NOAA site, which predicts 96-98 in downtown Los Angeles, which could break the 1900 record high for November 4th of 96 degrees.

Of even greater importance is the prediction of inland winds, capable of drying out that country in a big hurry.  Even though the ambient air temperature will not assist with heating the air, the compressing of the downslope winds, known as Gradient Heating, is still going to warm the winds.  Thus the 96-98 high for downtown LA.  One also predicted up to 55 mph gusts on one of the peaks in the So Cal area.

So ... I don't think I'll unpack my "Go-Bags" quite yet.  It's entirely possible to get a call to support a fire in the southland.  (I have contracted my 3/4 ton pickup, with driver - me - with both USFS and CalFire)  Needless to say, I'll be watching the website, and keeping an eye on the weather.