Weather again.

[Age]

Put new tires, brakes, and custom mufflers on the scooter the other day, and took "Ruthie" to church this morning. Just a tad cool but acceptable.  

[Scotty]

speaking of the craziest weather....yesterday in NY (and its environs where I live), we had THE worst smog we've ever seen. At first
it seemed very overcast as though it was about to pour, with the skies looking odd and dusky (for most of the morning as I let the dogs in and out, changing their water). Then, after I'd read about the AIR QUALITY ALERT telling us to stay indoors - a wee bit late, followed by the Evening Newscasts explaining just how bad it's going to get by today (stemming from the raging wildfres in Canada), I realized even the dogs are being affected and I'd been a bit stupid even going outside for the time I had. My eyes are pouring, throat is hoarse and hurting, but I'm able to cough up most of it.

According to the experts the air particles are large and very harmful to those with asthma, lung problems, heart issues, pregnant women, but also many people who might not know they're at risk. Best to stay indoors WITH windows closed and air on, or if you don't have central air, use a box fan with a hepa filter (if you can get one)...or venture out ONLY if absolutely necessary WITH a mask which screen catches thoee particles. We're being hit now (Wed/Thurs.) but I watched the weather forecast late last night and the prediction is that yet another air stream will push this thing next towards Pennsylvania and Ohio, I think Friday? Best be prepared to hunker down (their words). This is NOT to be taken lightly - or something to ignore. Please be careful everyone. I believe it's supposed to dissipate somewhat with the projected rains. (Right now I can't see well enough to notice any typos since my eyes are blurry and painful), so please excuse).
scotty

[Danny G]

at yesterdays Long Island Zoom Bonnie and Bill Faebstien said the sky was yellow/orange in New Jersey and   John Devine said it was that similarly ovetcast in New York Smoke from the same wildfire in Canada. It's a little overcast here.this morning with a light fog rising over my neighbors cornfield. Looks like it's going to be a nice day but tyhere is an air quality alert until midnight. The smoke will likely make it's way to Cleveland tomorrow. Good news is the wind will be coming from the South Sunday blowing the smoke Northward.

[brorat]

I have a buddy in NJ who said the sun was obscured for part of yesterday.  He's driving to Pittsburg today for a nephew's graduation, and is going to wear a mask.  Don't know how effective a mask is for the very small particle size of smoke!  We had air quality alerts in SC yesterday and today, but the wind out of the south is keeping things okay here.
Forest management is a huge issue in the western U.S., and now ... apparently in Canada, too!  If left to nature, lightning would keep things in order, but with human intervention, we tend to allow tinder boxes to occur and we call it "saving the forests".  Wrong approach! Hope everyone stays safe and healthy!

[Scotty]

I don't think I get what you mean. If lightning is natural and 'keeps things in order' - by setting trees on fire and causing
forest fires presumably? how is that any different from the same wildfires we're seeing now (most of which are caused by
human carelessness, no)? From what I know of it, human intervention also meant cutting down huge swathes of old-growth
forests for lumber. Most of those forests were able to withstand wildfires. Since we now know that trees clean the air giving us oxygen- most of us who want the forests preserved do so for that reason (as well as for the lives of the animals who
live there).

scotty

[Scotty]

at yesterdays Long Island Zoom Bonnie and Bill Faebstien said the sky was yellow/orange in New Jersey and   John Devine said it was that similarly ovetcast in New York Smoke from the same wildfire in Canada. It's a little overcast here.this morning with a light fog rising over my neighbors cornfield. Looks like it's going to be a nice day but tyhere is an air quality alert until midnight. The smoke will likely make it's way to Cleveland tomorrow. Good news is the wind will be coming from the South Sunday blowing the smoke Northward.

By the evening newscast the sky over NYC was dark orange, Danny - and peasoup thick. It wasn't 'as' bad out here on the Island but the forecast showed the same for the entire tri-state area today, including us. The warnings have become much more dire. IF it heads your way be very, very careful please? The warnings aren't only for those with existing conditions. One doctor specified that IF anyone finds themselves having any difficulties breathing to head right for medical help WITH a mask on. I worry about you guys.

scotty

[brorat]

I don't think I get what you mean. If lightning is natural and 'keeps things in order' - by setting trees on fire and causing
forest fires presumably? how is that any different from the same wildfires we're seeing now (most of which are caused by
human carelessness, no)? From what I know of it, human intervention also meant cutting down huge swathes of old-growth
forests for lumber. Most of those forests were able to withstand wildfires. Since we now know that trees clean the air giving us oxygen- most of us who want the forests preserved do so for that reason (as well as for the lives of the animals who
live there).

scotty

Hey Scotty
I understand the confusion!  Having worked in the wood products industry for 30 years, I’ve learned a lot about forest management. This is probably not the best place to discuss, but I’ll be happy to follow up on messaging! 
Meanwhile, best to all who are having to deal with this smoke!

[Age]

Nah! Lightening is only good after volcanoes, (which is pretty cool actually ) otherwise, it just hits your pine trees, jumps to your garage and burns it down along with half of your house.   
(the voice of experience)

[Lockjaw Larry]

My grandmother was deaf in one ear.  She, and a couple witnesses, said lightning struck a tree near her house and the thunder was so loud it burst an eardrum. 
A friend was getting into his car during a storm when a lightning bolt struck him, knocking him for a good loop.  It musta been tiny, compared to most, but he said it really hurt.  Apparently left no long term problems.

[brorat]

My grandmother was deaf in one ear.  She, and a couple witnesses, said lightning struck a tree near her house and the thunder was so loud it burst an eardrum. 
A friend was getting into his car during a storm when a lightning bolt struck him, knocking him for a good loop.  It musta been tiny, compared to most, but he said it really hurt.  Apparently left no long term problems.

There’s a park ranger in Virginia who is famous for being struck by lightning many times.

Two friends from here in Columbia along with their two young children were vacationing at Sanibel Island Fl a few years ago. Lighting struck out of nowhere. The dad died a few days later. The mom was spared. She suffered eye issues for months but is now ok. The two kids were not impacted at all.

When I was a kid on our farm, there was a bad thunderstorm. In on pasture was a lone tree. A group of cattle were under the tree seeking shelter. Lightning struck the tree and all 14 Hereford steers were killed.

Lightning is nothing to take lightly.

[Age]

Yeah, my uncle Albert was hit by lightning, I think three times . I know of two of them for sure cuz it broke a rule by being in exactly the same place.  After the last time, my Aunt just kinda stayed away from him if they were outside during a thunderstorm.

Speakin' of thunder, looks like we're gunna get some rain on Sunday afternoon. Whoo-Hoo! That will make this the ninth longest stretch of "no rain" here in northeast Ohio since they started keeping records.

[Danny G]

My Aunt was struck by lightning twice. Once out in a field and once in her kitchen. she lost a foot with the second strike

[Age]

Scary!

Couldn't afford drive in movies so I used to take my dates all the way to the back of that barn we lived in on stormy nights and we sit in the car and watch it hit the lightening rods on the top of the barn. 

Yeah, I know: "Whatta a skate!!"

The way I saw it was "Anyone could watch a movie, but only special people got to watch multiple lightening hits"

[Grizzly]

How much "watching" were you doing, hmmm?

Tom

[Age]

Prolly just enough