El Niño

 

Back to our regularly scheduled program.

We are still mourning the loss of our kitty Ada but life goes on, whether or not we want it to.

The El Niño in the Pacific Ocean is causing a lot of precipitation this year. People get so caught up in sensational climate reporting that they fail to realize global warming doesn't always mean hot and dry. For Flagstaff, according to the local National Weather Service office, we expect warmer but wetter weather. Since at least 2010, the records support this. We had a heavy monsoon season this year, and even though it is Autumn and well past the traditional end of the monsoon, we continue to get a lot of rain. At this point, it also amounts to snow on the high peaks. The remains of hurricane Rachel have moved over the desert Southwest, and if this continues Arizona won't be a desert much longer (not really).

My remaining kitty Shadow is peevish and annoyed. He begs to be let out the front door but encounters the cold rain and runs back inside within seconds. Then he begs again a half hour later, as if the rain and wind pelting the windows signifies nothing.

The day job is wearing me out but I have a four day week arranged and things are looking a little better. The new guys have developed some skill and independence.

I don't like the short days at this time of year but I have to admit the fall atmosphere has its positives. I love the colorful leaves sticking to the wet streets and decorating the neighborhood. Things could be worse.