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Post Bow, The Echo of the Hook

In continuing my theme of asinine titles for meteorological terms, here’s a more dramatic sequel to April’s inclement weather.

Don’t Squall Line – Take a Bow Hook

A particularly nasty bit of weather had descended upon us the evening of May 16, preceded by the familiar calm. And as the wind picked up, I checked the weather radar. This time, I was more concerned than my usual apathetic American High Plains upbringing self would normally be. And this static image doesn’t replicate the still image transitional timeline. There was a very clear storm rotation in progress, and one of the most easily recognized of radar signatures was to our southwest.

A hook echo, and so well-defined that the NWS had issued a radar-confirmed tornado warning. And it was 100 miles out and on a direct path to us. Admittedly, that’s a bit far to expect a tornado to travel on the ground, but it’s happened before.

There were 5 confirmed tornadoes in Indiana that day, presumably this among them. Fortunately for us, it dissipated before reaching our home. But as the remnants of the storm passed overhead, it was obvious it hadn’t lost its rotation.

There’s the devil’s sphincter for you.

Out west, these storms were always rain-wrapped, so the funnels were not so clearly defined. They were ominous masses of dark creeping across the cotton fields, and they were clear indications to move your ass. Here though, you can see shapes, and these were the clearest I’ve seen up close. This time, winning the meteorological lottery came with pictures.

(23 people died in the storms that weekend.)

–Simon

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Gardens and Greenspace

Let’s do some outdoor updates, yeah!

The squash patch which was new last year proved to be one garden too many to maintain, so it’s been converted into a pollinator patch, with every annual flower seed I had in my collection and wanted to clear out, plus clover.
A new maple, to bring back some frontyard shade.
Indeterminate tomatoes went in.
And a new sugar maple for the backyard.
Determinate tomatoes and sunflowers.

And that was Mother’s Day.

–Simon

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Parks with Ken: Grant Park, Kennard Nature Nook

What do you get when you abut a public park against a rich neighborhood? Why, rude residents, of course. And the fact that it “closes” at 4PM and is only open on weekdays lends me to believe it’s a very old and Boomery neighborhood at that.

Kennard Nature Nook

Which is even confirmed by the website’s photo: Karens doing yoga.

Here’s more evidence:

A dilapidated sign. Because, what rich person would want to make this park more accessible to outsiders?
A new bridge, that goes to the backyards of aforementioned rich people, in a section of the park with no public access.

Anyway, aside from the implied hostility, here’s my review.

Review:

Difficulty: 1/5

Points of note:

  • Nice scenic path along the Holes Creek (which was quite swollen with all the recent rain).
  • The Holes Creek eventually connects with the Great Miami River, though this is far downstream near Miami & Erie Canal Park (looks like a good fishing spot).
  • Again – surrounded by rich and unwelcoming people.

But if you’re like me and don’t give a damn about judging eyes from the privileged, it makes for a nice scenic walk. I was surprised there were no kids present. I sure would have been sneaking off to the creek had this been in my backyard. Maybe they were all in expensive extracurriculars. Dunno.

–Simon

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Mosquito Wars

A year ago I installed a mosquito bucket, inoculated with Bacillus thuringiensis, which supposedly kills larvae before they pupate into bastard bloodsuckers. I remained unconvinced.

Eternal Damnation

It turns out that the color of the bucket makes all the difference, as mosquitos, being the tiny demons that they are, like darkness. So when last year’s bucket cracked, I replaced it with a black one.

And behold!

It’s difficult to tell from the photo, but there were larvae (those white grub things). And one was dead. I’ll take that as confirmation that the deathtrap is now finally working!

Small victories.

–Simon

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Pawpaw Patch in the Making

We planted a pawpaw tree about 3 years or so ago, and now it’s finally bloomed! It does, however, require pollination from another tree, and I’m hoping the neighbor’s trees are close enough, and of a different genetic variety. We shall see, if a fruit appears.

The pawpaw is a bit of a culinary curiosity. Despite their prevalence in eastern North America, I’ve never seen them on menus, probably because the fruit seeds are poisonous and the fruits don’t ripen once picked. That makes commercial operations non-viable, relegating this native to local cuisine. They’re also a bit of an acquired taste, sort of like a mild mango. I used to pick them at the old farm and grandma would make them into pies. A unique slice of Americana.

–Simon