Tornado season is upon us

Last night saw the first tornado of 2010 in Okieland, which was about 60 miles away from us. This morning I had an email from my mum who had seen it on the news in England apparently, and as she knows it was close wanted to check on us! This has tickled us, as it's a small tornado for here and so for it to make the news abroad is funny. But as the Hubster said, a tornado is still a tornado and newsworthy for those who don't get them like we do.

Above you can see one of the amazing storm prediction tools our weather forecastors use. Okieland is rightfully home to the National Weather Service HQ and the warnings we are given are the best in the world. The map shows the exact path they know the storm will track along, the time it will arrive and the strength. The only thing this doesn't show is whether a tornado is on the ground. But some even show the 'hook echo' a radar image of the strongest circulation, which pinpoints where a tornado is likely to be on the ground.

This was the end result (taken off the TV), a probable F2 tornado on the ground for 30 minutes, mainly across sparsely populated land. Sadly though it did destroy five homes in Hammon, but narrowly missed the centre of this small town and there were no injuries.

I was predictably driving all over town for photo's as the storm clouds rolled into our area. I took this 5 miles north of town and it shows the huge cloud formations, but all that came out of this was some lightening.

But the view in this photo perfectly demonstrates why I am excited for the first time at the the arrival of storm season. I never thought I'd say it, but I had a ball tonight chasing the spectacular skies and the wide open space here allows me to capture the grand scale of our storms.

With more time here I have learned to read the weather, I trust the forecastors and I know what to do in an emergency situation. Now if a tornado is ever bearing down on my hometown, there's no doubt I'll be a headless chicken. But I have enough knowledge to ensure my own safety and can therefore appreciate natures grand show at moments like these.

Ya never know, I might be a storm chaser yet!

My World - or where I've been

Making the most of a rare sunny 74 degree day on Saturday, the Hubster & I spent all day gardening and tidying ready for spring. He did the digging and I did the raking, great teamwork.

28 bags of leaves and Cottonwood tree scraps later, with some very worthwhile paid help from the neighbours children, things looked alot better.

This bed was full of Canna Lilies, but the Hubster dug them all out (no mean feat!) and we replanted it with evergreen shrubs, Photinia a fave of mine. The Hubster also relocated a number of other established shrubs to preferred locations around the garden.

Then it was onto the christmas lights, unlike last year, we avoided being the neighbourhood 'rednecks' and got them down before May!

It was now Sunday afternoon & the Hubster was in need of an attitude adjustment!

And all my other time since last Wednesday has been spent working on my Christmas quilt. These are the first 2 blocks, the top one after the appliques have just been applied. And beneath is the finished block, with hand embroidery and accessories all completed. It's a block-a-month and the finished quilt will be King size, so there's a long way to go yet!

To see some great sights around the globe or join in the fun, go to My World Tuesday

Government form responsible for extreme lethargy!

Ladies & Gentlemen,

I apologise, but I seem to have been struck down with extreme brain lethargy and blog block this week , I am certain entirely down to completion of endless paperwork for the USCIS!

Well I am pleased to report the Naturalization package finally left the building late yesterday, and any moment now I should re-enter the USCIS system in Dallas. I have answered endless questions about all my relations, prior homes, jobs and whether I am a terrorist, gambler, bigamist, prostitute or habitual drunkard - seriously they actually ask these!

The Civics test questions and answers are also rolling around my head constantly. I now have all 100 printed out on my desk and my work colleagues ask me random questions as they pass by, and this method seems to be working. Here is your question for today:

Who is the Chief Justice of the US now?

I am also starting two new 'projects' this week. Later today I start a Christmas quilt project with some of my work colleagues, and on Friday I start an intensive 8-week photography course.

Nothing like keeping busy eh!

A very worthy nominee

Courtesy of IMDB: US Army Sergeant First Class Will James, Sergeant JT Sanborn and Specialist Owen Eldridge comprise the Bravo Company's bomb disposal unit currently stationed in Baghdad. James is the tech team leader.

When James arrives on the scene, Bravo Company has thirty-nine days left on its current deployment. It will be a long thirty-nine days for Sanborn and Eldridge whose styles do not mesh with their new leader. James is a renegade for who the thrill of the dismantlement seems to be the ultimate goal regardless of the safety of his fellow team members, others on the scene or himself.

On the other hand, Sanborn is by the books: he knows his place and duty and trusts others in the army to carry out theirs as well as he. And Eldridge is an insecure soldier who is constantly worried that an error or misjudgment on his part will lead to the death of an innocent civilian or a military colleague. While the three members face their own internal issues, they have to be aware of any person at the bomb sites, some of who may be bombers themselves.

The Hurt Locker is nominated for 9 Oscars, and has 68 award wins and 42 other nominations already in the bag! Do not be put off by the subject matter of this great movie, even you ladies. You all know I don't do gory or horrifying movies and this is neither, it's just a wonderful movie about our brave soldiers doing the most dangerous job in the world.

Although I haven't seen every movie based on the Iraq war, I strongly suspect this is the closest you'll get to being there on film. We were both enthralled by the daily drama they go through and the constant state of high alert and stress they live under. How the three main characters deal with their surroundings is very different, so how they work together as an effective unit is challenging to say the least.

The storyline is completely unpredictable, I was amazed when two Hollywood A-listers were killed within minutes of appearing, leaving lesser known actors to carry this movie. And carry it they do, with performances that make you feel like you're almost watching a documentary they're so real.

This movie will move you, and make even the most cynical anti-war protestor feel pride in our troops. It also makes us all better understand the risks our troops take for their country and the freedom of others daily. Everyone should see this movie.

Sorry folks...

I have had to put word verification back on, after being inundated with spam comments for five days! If you're thinking of dropping it yourself, I say don't bother, the spam bots are virilant!

Au revoir et merci beaucoup Canada

We have thoroughly enjoyed the Winter Olympics, in fact it's been pretty much all we've watched for the past fortnight (Brit word = 2 wks). They started with a terrible tragedy and a moving opening ceremony, and went onto to be one of the best ever.

I think the added skill and daring involved in performing a sport on snow or ice, makes the Winter Olympics exceptional viewing. I can watch the Summer Olympics and dream that with alot more effort I might have been a swimmer or runner. But there's no way I could ever have made it as a figure skater, bobsledder or downhill skier. Now Curling on the other hand the Hubster and I both think might be right up our alley!

Canada has been a magnificent host to the Olympics and now the baton passes to London and it has some big boots to fill. Apart from a lack of snow at first, these games seem to have gone without a hitch organisationally, despite terrible tragedy and emotional highs and lows. They have also made me long to visit Canada someday having seen the amazing scenery.

Highlights included Shaun White winning gold, with a truly amazing display of snowboarding and attaining heights above the Halfpipe that were hard to believe! Apolo Anton Ohno becoming the USA's most decorated winter olympian, despite the fact that his sport is crazily unpredictable. Seeing Amy Williams of Great Britain win the gold in women's Skeleton, our first gold since Robin Cousins in 1980. Watching Bode Miller come through finally and win olympic medals he missed out on 4 years ago. Enjoying the US mens bobsled team finally win gold after beating the seemingly invincible Germans.

The drama of Evan Lysacek's stunning skating free program deservedly winning gold, and the ensuing national 'pout' by Plushenko and Russia. The most moving moments came with Canadian Joannie Rochette overcoming tragedy after her mother Therese's sudden death. The courage and dedication she showed were inspirational, and it was impossible to watch her hold it together through her short program without shedding a tear with her at the end.

We were in awe of the Mogul skiers and the numerous knee surgeries they all seem to have, but still they keep going! We decided that cross country skiers are probably the fittest athletes in the world, and we wondered what makes anyone want to travel at over 90mph on ice on a sled! We found ourselves fascinated again by Curling, the accuracy involved and teflon shoes.

For us the funniest moment was listening in on the conversation between Shaun White and his coach, when they realised he'd won gold on his first run and the pressure was gone.

His coach about his 2nd run "What do ya wanna do?"
Shaun laughingly said "I dunno man, just ride down the middle?"
His coach "Nah  you wanna get out there, double McD and stomp the shit!"
NBC "We apologise for the language but this is live and emotions are high"

Too funny and a down to earth moment from a great athlete and thoroughly likeable star.

It's been a great Olympics, a credit to Canada and a fitting tribute to the memory of Georgian Luger, Nodar Kumaritashvili.

Did you watch too and have some fave moments?

Brit' Word of the Day & Immigration

Well I have been up to my elbows in immigration paperwork for the last 48 hours, and I'm sort of brain dead! All I need now is 2 passport photo's to be done and ready for mailing.

So today's post is just a much used  and loved Brit phrase:

"Don't get your knickers in a twist, it'll be okay"

Knickers in a twist = frustrated or worked up and remember, knickers = underwear to a Brit.

I have to say I have not got my knickers in a twist over the Citizenship application. In fact it was a wonderful surprise to find out that for the first time ever, we do not have to submit half a ton of supporting paperwork and evidence.

Wonders will never cease where the USCIS is concerned!

Skywatch Friday - Guest Host!

'Blue Moon'

Double click to enlarge

This week I am very proud to be the guest host for Skywatch Friday, my header photo was selected for this honour. I took the picture of the huge storm cloud last July whilst we were under a tornado warning, this was the very clearly defined back edge of the storm as it headed east at sunset. I happened to look out of a window and spot this photo opportunity and knew I had no time to lose.

I grabbed the Hubster as my chauffeur, snatched up my camera and ran out the door, still in my pink furry cowboy boot slippers! We drove to the highest point in town, our cemetery which just happens to be the fave locals spot for watching storms, and so there I was visible to all in pink furry slippers snapping this picture. In September last year it won 2nd prize in a local museums annual photo contest, so I did at least get some major payback for my embarressment!

To see other fabulous skies or join the best weekly meme on the web, go to the Skywatch site.