Not Too HOT Walk Around Sikes Lake With Ukrainian Sunflowers

It was to nearby Sikes Lake I ventured today for my regularly scheduled daily nature communing, on this first day of the 2025 version of August.

This morning my AccuWeather weather information source indicated to me that the temperature would be 79 degrees, as measured by the Fahrenheit method, at my regular endorphin acquisition time.

When I exited my abode I was pleased to see the sun mostly blotted out by clouds. I was also pleased to feel a cooling breeze blowing.

But, the temperature was 84 degrees, according to my phone, with the humidity making it really feel like 91 degrees, also according to my phone, despite the wind and the sun being blocked.

So, my hoped for chilly nature communing did not happen.

I did come upon a new patch of sunflowers blooming near the lake shore. That is what you see photo documented above.

That big bright yellow sunflower reminded me of the recent work of the renowned Pacific Northwest artist known as Tamara El, and her recent series of painted homages to the sunflower symbol of Ukraine.

Thunderstorming is on the weather menu for later today. With more thunderstorming tomorrow, followed, supposedly, by thunderstorming and heavy rain, with possible flash flooding, on Sunday. 

I expect I shall manage to remain dry, despite the dire predictions indicating otherwise...

Slava Ukraine Via Watercolor From Washington

That which you see here is the work of a Pacific Northwest artistic creative sort, whom I have known for decades, showing support for Ukraine, via a water color, painted, and then installed in a window, for all passersby to see.

All across America, and the world, similar shows of support for Ukraine are showing up.

"Slava Ukraine" is a Ukrainian phrase that means "Glory to Ukraine". It is a national salute and battle cry that symbolizes Ukrainian sovereignty and resistance to aggression. 

A day or two ago on my Washington blog I made mention of Seattle's example of support for Ukraine.

I wish I had the talent, of some sort, to show support for Ukraine...

A Semi-Stormy Saturday In Texas With Mary Kelleher Stuck In The Ukraine

This next to last Saturday of November was predicted to be extremely wet and stormy at my location on the planet.

In the middle of the night, last night, there was a short bout of heavy rain pounding the windows.

Early this morning, in the hot tub, I did experience some drippage dripping on me, and saw lightning far in the distance to the east, along with slight post-lightning strike rumblings.

At noon I left my abode for a drizzly walk up to Albertsons. As you can see, via the view looking up at the security spears which protect me from intruders and other nuisances, it is a gray day in Texas.

Today is reminding me of a winter day on Washington's Pacific coast. It is likely the only person who may be reading this who knows what I'm talking about is Steve A in Ocean Shores on the Washington coast.

The first jolt of the day was from Mary Kelleher, emailing from Kiev, Ukraine, where she desperately needed to be wired money so as to pay her hotel bill and escape the clutches of Putin and return to the relative safety of Texas.

I suspected this email may have been one of those Nigerian type email money scams. But then I thought it made sense for Mary Kelleher  to go on a fact finding trip to Ukraine to see how another corrupt oligarchy operates and maybe pick up some tips on how to deal with the type corruption inherit when one finds oneself dealing with a corrupt oligarchy.

On Facebook Mary Kelleher posted a post about her Ukrainian troubles, with that post eliciting a lot of sympathy.

Anyway, I think I am about 24 hours away from sliding into a fresh bout of Seasonally Affected Disorder. I am so spoiled anymore I seem to be able to only go two days without sun before I start feeling SAD....