Fall is Finally Here! #WeatherGeek #BeCivil

I can't believe it! The temperature actually dipped down into the 50s overnight and it's only supposed to rise into the 70s today. Yummy! This is my kind of weather. Break out the hoodies, sweatshirts, cable knit sweaters and light coats. Pull out your duck boots. And get ready for a good time. The leaves started turning colors and falling roughly three weeks ago even though we were still in the 90s. The trees decided it was Fall, but Mother Nature had other ideas. Now she's come around!

Pup was so funny on the morning walk. She loves the Fall, also. The cooler weather means less panting outside. Plus, there are so many different things to sniff! She was bounding everywhere.

This weather is a welcome change after the crazy storms and damage that Hurricane Michael brought the other night. At least three big trees toppled around my neighborhood ---thus, the 12-hours power outage. Luckily, only property damage though. No major injuries reported.

I think I'll go mull some cider and put on a pot of rice. I want a nice hot lunch. Well, wherever you are enjoy the day. Hope it's bright and shining! Make it a point to learn something new today. And be kind to your neighbors...

My Weekend Watch -- Ocean's 8 UHD Digital Copy #GotItFree #Michael

I just scored a Free UHD MA Digital Copy of Ocean's 8 (4k). I'm a member of a media feedback panel and was asked to watch the movie & the included extras, then fill out a survey within 10 days. To facilitate this, I was given a redemption code for a free digital copy of the movie. The digital copy code was redeemed via Movies Anywhere (and is also UV compatible), so the movie is now stored in the cloud of all my connected services, but I use Vudu as a smartphone app default. I plan to download a copy to my phone for offline viewing just in case something else goes amiss. (We just had a hurricane roar by to our South. My hearts goes out to everyone affected.)

I didn't catch this movie when it was in theaters --- I'm usually gun shy on remakes --- so this should be a fun project. I've since heard it was actually a decent film and I want to see it. Well, my weekend is starting to look good, providing we can dig out from all the damage and debris left by Hurricane Michael by then. I'm hoping for the best. After a 12-hours outage, the power is back on now (which is allowing me to post this). I'll take it as a good sign.

On the bright side, now that the hellavu hurricane and a simultaneously arriving Cold Front have swept through my area, the heat is clearing out. We are finally supposed to get real Fall weather after having been subjected to ~90 degrees temps nearly up until the storm last night. Fall is my favorite season! And I've been antsy waiting for it to actually show up.

I want to say thank you to all the Police & Fire Dept First Responders, the Emergency Crews and Utility workers who braved the storm and kept us afloat! My BFF twin is out on patrol now in this mess. (He wouldn't have it any other way, though.) We owe them all a debt.

Be safe out there, peeps.

Two Days of #Winter. Next Week a Return to #Spring. #WeatherGeek #MtnDew

North Georgia spent the last five or six days well above average temperatures. ('Twas 70+ degrees and muggy on Christmas.) Yesterday, a cold front moved through bringing rain and a tornado to the greater metro Atlanta area, and in its wake much colder, drier air has been rushing in. It was blustery all day yesterday and today more of the same is expected.

This morning and the next will get down into the thirties (below freezing), plus this morning has the addition of wind chill making it feel like the twenties. More rain is expected New Year's Eve --- about a 30% chance --- but it should be well above freezing by the time it arrives (no icing expected, thank goodness). Then there's about an 80% chance of rain through the day on New Year's, with more rain chances still next week.

However, temperatures are expected to climb once again close to 70 degrees, and this in the first week of January. This seems to be our new weather pattern: above average temperatures for several days, followed by a cold front and windy conditions that drop temperatures to a seasonal average or slightly below for a couple days, then it warms back up (and the bugs return).

As I've said before, a weather yo-yo, which wreaks havoc on my allergies. I realize that I moan about my allergies a goodly amount, but "quality of life" issues are important. My nasal passages are shot. Hopefully, it'll settle one way or the other soon. Give me Winter or give me Spring, but not this in between. For this is purgatory. (The Winter of our discontent?)

GLISTENING DEW DROPS?: Yesterday, Kroger had a digital coupon for a Free Mtn Dew 12-pack, any variety, available for a short time. Supplies (or the number of impressions/loads) were exhausted quickly, but luckily I was able to snag one in time. (Mtn Dew is someone's favorite soda.) It may be cold enough to make ice cubes for the soda outdoors this morning, but the gift of pop brings cheer to one man. Thank you, Kroger.

A Rainy Night in Georgia. Our Wild Weather Keeps on Trucking #WeatherGeek

Christmas Eve was in the sixties. Christmas Day started off in the fifties and topped out in the seventies. Yesterday, started in the fifties also, but pretty much stayed there as clouds, mist, drizzle and fog rolled in... which made the day simultaneously damp and clammy. Today, it's supposed to dry out a bit and return to almost seventy degrees.

My container garden, which utilizes seasonal plants that are supposed to go dormant over the Winter, is still blooming. The weather is like a yo-yo or a pogo stick, bouncing up and down, screwing with Nature's Clock. Air quality is consistently poor. My allergies are killing me, of course (literally and figuratively). I like the great outdoors, it loves me to death. Every time my system gets close to stabilizing, the weather pattern shifts once more.

So much for Winter. It's like I'm suffering through Spring in December. Hooray for January! Perhaps, next month will be more typical. But I'm not gonna hold my breath (it wouldn't be wise, I'm having respiratory problems as is). I might need a vacation from my vacation. I declare Tuesday a day of rest and binge watching. Borrowed Sleepy Hollow, Season One from my sister. Where's the popcorn? I need a Coke.

#FallLeaves in #Georgia: Ode to a Fiery #RedMaple

The front yard is an explosion of fiery colors, red, yellow and orange. The Red Maple trees have really out done themselves this year. Makes quite the statement, a sunlit centerpiece. No wonder Autumn is my favorite season; so much natural wonder to behold.

Cheers to cool weather and hot drinks. Roaring hearth fires, hot ovens, cable-knit sweaters and knee socks.

The trees are no longer green with envy. Fall has finally come home to Georgia.