Roaming the world and some of these notes are useless. (News you can’t use)
RAIN
One of the more significant amounts around the USA in the last 24 hours was 2.84 inches at Houston. As of this morning, these rain shortages in Alabama so far in 2008
2.37 at Montgomery
2.35 Anniston
11.09 Tuscaloosa Airport
2.30 (excess) at Birmingham, an exception to the rule.
ICELAND AND GREENLAND
A few days ago, I wondered out loud (I do that often) why Greenland is so bitter cold and Iceland, not too far away is much milder. And why they were named that way. Keith Kennedy in Pelham sent this interesting note: “I thought you might like to know the reason behind the names of these countries. The early Vikings venturing out to parts unknown came upon these 2 countries. Having visited Iceland first and finding it cold, but comfortable and fairly easy to live in, then went westward and found what is now known as Greenland. They found this land harsh, full of ice, and would be extremely hard to live there. Not wanting their enemies to claim and populate the area known as Iceland before they could they named it Iceland, and wishing to lure others there they called the other land mass Greenland…hinting that the first was barren and inhospitable while the other was lush, warm place to live. The ruse worked which is why if you visit Iceland today you will find most of the inhabitants are of Norse background. Not sure what became of Greenland other than it is still a big chunk of Ice. As far as I know this story is true. I am not sure of the names of the original Vikings that made the discoveries or when it was done…..only that the end result was that the Vikings were able to claim Iceland for their own.”
OCEAN CURRENTS
They can be compared to river-like streams within the ocean. Currents near the surface generally transport heat from the tropics to the poles and cooler water back toward the equator. It is nature’s way of keeping most of the oceans from getting too hot or too cold.
THE GULF STREAM
It is a big ocean current. It can be as much as 50 miles wide.
PERMAFROST
In the far north latitudes, the ground can be frozen year-round especially just underneath the surface. In extreme cases, the ground can be frozen as much as 150 feet deep. How would you like the job of digging a well or grave there???
THE AMAZON RIVER
That huge South American River is about 4,000 miles long. It has the honor of transporting more water to the ocean than any river in the world. It is estimated that it is responsible to getting 20% of the world’s river water back to the ocean. About time for Tim Coleman to cruise the entire 4,000 miles in his little boat.
WEATHER LORE–QUAILS
When quails are heard in the evening expect fair weather next day. Quails are more plentiful when there is an east wind.
WEATHER LORE–PHEASANTS
Pheasants hear an approaching thunderstorm before human ears can do so. (Little Miss Molly does, too!) The pheasants make a harsh call at each rumble of distant thunder but are silent when the storm is passing overhead. (from Ireland weather lore)
GREAT DROUGHT OF THE 1930S
Can’t get much worse than that one. Huge duststorms roamed the plains time and time again. At one time, a huge dust bowl covered an estimated 50 million acres in the Great Plains with huge drifts of dust that sometimes covered entire fences.
ANOTHER SIGN OF RAIN (Weather lore)
“The hollow winds begin to blow,
The clouds look black,
The glass is low”
…Outta here…I am hungry, thirsty, sleepy and my IQ is dropping like a rock. . .
