Ignorance and the Weather

Weather is rather amazing. It can be so fierce and so unpredictable. And then there are days that are really defined as "perfect". We had a perfect day yesterday. There was  sun, a slight coolness in the air, and a constant breeze.

Having come from the US, the Handlers are used to the concept of weather forecasts and predictions, not to mention that Female Handler (FH) has this thing for Jim Cantore. With all the money that goes into weather predictions, for the most part, the US forecasts are usually spot on.

The same cannot be said for Uruguayan weather models, and really the Handlers didn't expect such precision. In order to know if the day would be ideal for fertilizing or drying clothes, they look at these websites for monitoring the weather:
http://www.meteored.com.uy/tiempo-en_Colonia-America+Sur-Uruguay-Colonia-SUCA-1-13022.html
http://www.eltiempo.es/colonia-del-sacramento.html?v=por_hora

Male Handler (MH) is in charge of announcing the weather and what's in the forecast. He's no Jim Cantore but he's a close second. He takes pride in this role and really studies the forecasts, direction of the winds, how many mm of rain will fall and what hour exactly the clothes should be removed from the clothes line. FH is not really an exact person, and is just interested in the MAJOR events.

MH had mentioned last weekend that a big storm was going to arrive the early part of the week and park over the area for a couple of days. But we've had big storms before, so no big deal. Since the Handlers have no TV and really only occasionally turn on the radio, they had no idea that the rest of Uruguay was gearing up for a monster, quite similar to what is happening right now in the US northeast.

The storm did arrive Sunday night, and the rain was heavy and the winds gusty. The power flickered a bit every now and then, but for the most part stayed on.

Sunday night FH dreamed of an ambulance, and happened to mention it to MH the next morning.  MH remembers all his dreams in excruciating detail. When he questioned FH more about her dream, she just shrugged and repeated there was an ambulance in her dream.

It wasn't until Thursday when they had to go to the milk shed (i.e. the outside community) that they found out it was a mammoth storm, an extratropical cyclone (!), a huge number of Uruguayan's lost power, and many homes were damaged. Ok, so hold on here...an "extratropical cyclone" sounds on par with the Frankenmonster that's about to hit the northeast coast of the US. Ummm, not quite. Here's what wiki says: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extratropical_cyclone. In fact, this storm was pretty impressive for Uruguay. Our area was under an Orange alert while much of the Atlantic coast was under a Red alert. Our casualty of the storm was a tree that fell outside the sunroom (fortunately not on the sunroom), and soggy goat bedding. Otherwise not so bad.

But having to go to the milk shed occasionally is good for the Handlers. It is their time to catch up on what's on the minds of the locals, and hear the latest gossip. The most interesting was that our neighbor just to our north had a fire, and the fire trucks raced to his farm on Sunday night...ahhhh hence the ambulance scene in FH's dream that she could not offer much explanation... while the Handlers, Keika and I blissfully slept. Indeed, the world could have ended and the Handlers wouldn't know until they ventured into town or to the milk shed which is pretty infrequent.

The "not knowing" part really made for a relaxing week for all of us!

Decorations...

The Handlers had to go into town to replenish supplies at the dry goods store this weekend. Shelf displays indicate that we're in the final quarter of the year and thus, of course there are holiday decorations going up. Garland is big here, in assorted colors.

Female Handler went into a nervous twitch mode seeing the garland...and hence the blurry picture.

What surprised the Handlers was this display of Halloween items. They knew the Day of the Dead (November 1) was celebrated, but had no idea that trick or treating was done. Perhaps it is a city thing, because out in the campo it was most definitely quiet last year. Chochi would have certainly let out a bleat or two if a blue-haired witch showed up at the barn.

In Control? Doubtful....

Monday the rains returned. I was out stalking and the time was horribly inconvenient to take shelter. But the fact of the matter is that I like rain about as little as the goats like rain and while the goats are tethered, I am not. I bolted to the front porch and was eventually let in.

Female Handler thinks she is still a youngster super woman and the healing process on her torn knee ligaments should mend quickly. Alas, that is not the case. She was back on the floor wincing in pain early Monday morning with only me to comfort her. Fortunately, I was dry.

In spite of the winter residue on the windows, this little guy didn't interpret the glass barrier for what it was...a window. His demise was quick, but none the less sad. One less hummingbird to entertain us this year.

How these little feet clasp limbs and withstand our strong winds is beyond me.

So these happenings have reinforced that maybe, just maybe... these are reminders that we're really not in charge, we don't have control, and we just need to:
1. avoid going outside when there is a rainstorm
2. walk lightly and carry a big stick (yes, I have taken the liberty of modifying this famous line to fit the circumstance)
3. avoid cleaning the windows....forever.

Manzana Mundo

This is a special posting as the Handlers are not usually into promoting brands unless it is a company they currently work for...

With a population of less than 23,000 in the town of Colonia (but 119,000 in the departamento -county-), somehow Apple has justified opening a store here (right next to the Handlers' favorite book store).

That will make at least one of my followers smile with joy.

Perhaps this is a case of "if you build it, they will come..."

Here comes the sun...

The rain has stopped, at least for the time being.

The thermometer hit 70 degrees (inside) yesterday. It was the first time since last fall. Actually...we can only assume it was the first time. Temperature is really measured by the number of layers the Handlers have on. Five isn't unusual for Female Handler (FH) in the winter, and along with the layers is the usual muttering of "Que Frio!"

FH brought this gem of a thermometer back from Abuelita's last month. It has been in the family for a long time.

There was a bit of spring cleaning going on yesterday. FH is working the knee but occasionally there are yelps. Male Handler (MH) was working the duster on the ceiling rafters causing mortar to fall and the Dust Bowl of 2012.

I tried to not pay attention. If you pay attention and seem interested, the chances are greater she will hand you a cleaning tool. Case in point, MH came in for a quick snack, and then the next minute he's attaching an extension pole on the duster and coughing and cursing.

Keika took my lead as well, and stayed put on her throne.

If you think she looks a little pissy, you'd be correct. She seriously needs to lighten up and smell the lavender.

One area that FH just didn't even attempt to tackle was MH's desk.

Probably a good move on her part.

The night ended with a podcast of Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations: Cuba (one of my followers will chuckle with recognition if she happens to check it out).

Here comes the sun, and I say...
It's all right.

Dulce de Leche Day!

Today is World Dulce de Leche Day!

Got to love the "World" recognition. I'm sure the Thai's are celebrating...

Alas it is 7:30pm and I had no idea of this day until unos momentos...

But here it is: http://dulcedeleche-day.blogspot.com/

And if it's on the Internet, it's got to be true!

"Home" for the weekend

Mini-Female Handler (m-FH) came home for the weekend!

First....let us examine what it is to just come for the weekend. Currently mini-Female Handler is residing in Buenos Aires. So it meant getting on the 1hour "fast" ferry across the Rio de la Plata in Buenos Aires, and finding a grinning Female Handler anxiously waiting on the other side.

Second...what does "home" mean? It means a place where there is family eagerly waiting to wrap their arms around a youngster and breathe in the scent so familiar and not let go ...until it's time to put her back on the ferry which they did this evening only after there was a promise to come back within a month's time.

Third...it also meant I was one happy cat!

Machete-wielding m-FH having cut willow bark (in pocket) and gathered plantago (Llantén)