Farewell to July

[altivo]

Some say the ferocious vampiric moskeedle,
Whose beak is as sharp as an old tailor's needle,
Is food for the swallow
And bats from the hollow,
But if I can swat her, I don't heed that wheedle.

[with editorial revision by hellmutt]

Just as I was leaving work at lunchtime (today being my half day off) the weather alarm radio went off with a severe storm warning for the county immediately to our west. (They had announced a severe storm watch somewhat earlier, to run through the evening hours.)

Knowing that the sheep were probably outdoors and the storm would reach us in an hour or so, I went straight home. When I got there, I pulled up the local weather radar on the web and sure enough, a nasty looking front seemed to be headed right for us. Out then to put the sheep inside and chain shut the north door of the big barn where heavy rain can blow in and wet the hay. In due time, a dire warning was issued, speaking of 80 mile an hour winds and possible hail. The front hit 30 minutes later, but with only 40 mile an hour gusts and a brief spatter of rain. I don't know whether to be irritated, disappointed, or pleased.

The temperature dropped nicely afterward, but the humidity climbed. Now it's positively steamy outside, and the mosquitoes are feasting on anyone or anything that dares venture out there. Still had to feed everyone and put them to bed for the night, leaving doors open because it's so oppressively humid. Hence the doggerel above. Or should I say "ponyrel?"

Comments

[hellmutt.livejournal.com]

I am a maiden who is forty,
And a maiden I shall stay...

And yes. It was specifically the hair thing I was curious about. Apart from general panic caused by being stuck to anything that's terrified and flapping, and the hygiene concerns (possibly more modern?), it seems an odd thing to be afraid of. Certainly an odd thing on which to fixate.

[altivo.livejournal.com]

Heh, how typically Dahl that poem is.

[hellmutt.livejournal.com]

Growing up, and realising he'd written more than just his stuff for children, was... eye-opening for me. :) Still can't beat the Revolting Rhymes, though.