Selectively Juggling

It’s a bit cliche, but the last thing I searched for today was the weather. Yes, I’ve got weather apps on my phone (yep, plural); however, I just wanted to confirm if there would be a thunderstorm. Why? Two reasons: I’d been at work since the morning and, upon leaving, realised it was pretty humid and warm for a winter’s day, probably around 29°C in the sunshine. Okay, so there are only 2 official days of winter left. Still, it is winter. As I left the hospital, hordes of mellow medical staff and visitors sat out in the open outdoor spaces and cafe, with some sitting sprawled out on the lush, manicured green lawns. The sky overhead had the telltale signs of a tempestuously brewing thunderstorm. Deep azure blues hugged the sky, perfectly contrasted against the stark white billowing Cumulonimbus clouds. The clouds appeared to magically manifest before my eyes. I literally could watch clouds forming for hours, it’s incredibly mesmerising. I needed to know if there would be an electrical storm (thunderstorm), approximately what time, and if I had enough time to go and shop, do some chores, or simply head home. So I sat in my car, looked at the apps, and decided to search BOM for more detailed information.

Now, as I sit here writing, the sky is darkening, and the winds are whipping up. My husband is away for work, so it will just be me trying to appease my teenage daughter’s fears(she has an intellectual disability) She absolutely hates thunderstorms, and was talking about going to bed early, just to hide underneath her doona. Thankfully we have solar power hooked up, so if there is a blackout we are fine. So now its time to cook an early dinner, and wait to see if the winds worsen and the storm wreaks havoc, or is just a passing sprinkle. Either way it’s going to be a somewhat interesting, albeit challenging evening. What I will say is, I can’t wait for the day that science is able to harness the incredible energy and power in electrical storms. Surely there is a way of capturing, and or harnessing that power. And with my last words, thunder now booms in the sky, as if ancient norse gods summon a war counsel.