Back in a past life I learned about sailing. I went to sailing school both in the classroom and on the water. I learned a lot of things... one of which was about the doldrums. The dictionary has a couple of definitions for doldrum but I've always associated the word with the area of ocean, near the equator, where the winds are light and sometimes less than that and there is a lot of rain. Technically it's called the inter-tropical convergence zone but doldrums sounds a lot better.
My backyard has a resemblance to the doldrums. The wind comes gently from the north for a while and then from the west. In the morning it's usually from the southeast. Then, sometimes, the doldrums move away. Then a whole can of "whup'ass" jumps out. The wind blows, the trees are bent over and the birds have taken cover. The lightening flashes and thunder booms. It might rain or hail a little and then, in a snap, it all disappears. Colorado weather.
I'm just telling you this story because the doldrums have settled in my back yard.
One time I was sailing out in Corpus Christi Bay with some friends. We were in my Gulfstar 39 which was a heavy seaworthy boat. We were changing direction when a puff of cool air touched my face and was then gone. Everyone thought I was nuts when I said we had to take down the sails and head for home. I insisted and soon we were on our way but we had miles to go. Within 30 minutes of that cool puff of air, the horizon turned black and a hellacious storm struck. Of course we had to go directly into the wind for miles to get home. It took hours. We were all soaked to the bone but since I'm writing this blog one must assume I made home alive.
The sailing story is here because the weather is changing. Oh it's still hot and it's still summer but every now and again I feel that little puff of air that is the first hint of fall. The birds know it's coming. The hummers are drinking the sweet water like there is no tomorrow. I'm filling the hummer juice bar twice a week now. They are put'n on the fat for the trip south. Did you know some migrate all the way to Central America and some into South America!
In Reno, Nevada they have a city wide celebration every year. It's called "Hot August Nights." My sister used to live in Reno so I had occasion to be there one year to participate in the celebration. I can attest to the hot part. Well, I can attest to the August and night part too. It was a fun time. They had all kinds of old cars cruising, lots of free activities and things to see. There were popular stars in the clubs performing extra shows. Dancing in the streets and a lot of happy people. No doldrums there.
There is no real reason for me to have told you the Reno story other than it's August.
So there you have it. If anyone ever asks you about the Inter-tropical Convergence Zone you know what to say.
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