One Hail Of A Good Time In Iowa.

Torrent Hail Storm!

In the middle of the day

For the third time this year....  there has been hail.   This time it just sprung up in the middle of the day (Today) and left small piles of pea-sized hail all around the yard.

Enough to make a snow cone.

  Now,  I know most people would ask, "What's the Big Deal?"   And I can see that unless the hail is baseball sized or larger, it simply does not make it onto the Weather Channel feed.   (Not that I EVER want to see that sized hail here in Iowa)

10 minutes later, sun is shining....

But  for someone growing up in Michigan,  Hail is kind of like seeing snow for the first time.   You hear about it.  Read about it.   Even watch videos about it...but I have never seen it in the flesh.   Until now.

Check out the neighbor's Pile of Ice...

40 minutes later!   Still here!

Moving to Iowa has brought several other "Firsts",  But seeing Hail fall with such ferocity is quite awesome.   Seeing Ice fall from the sky in the middle of summer is simply miraculous!   Like something biblical....like frogs or something.

Cool summer day

Muscatine. 

But like someone who does see snow for the first time,  I do not hope to happen onto a Blizzard.   Seeing small bouts of ice slightly larger than a peanut is enough for me.

Kewash Trail under gloomy skies.

The weather has been pleasant lately.   With cooler temps making for better running.   The clouds also help keep the sun in check for most of the time.  It is unfortunate that Cheryl and I are still suffering from this blasted cold.   Nothing dangerous...just annoying.   A cough and runny nose that irritates more than incapacitates.  ( blowing you nose and coughing randomly is just so bothersome.)

Ready for her reward after 10 miles.

Sundae Pictures

Cheryl continues to work on her shop and I have written a little over 1000 words on the novel ( over 6000 words currently!)  I admit that the writing is a trickle.   I have also been working on some origami cats.   I'm not sure where I will go with them, but I wanted to at least work on perfecting the model.

More Swag

Congrats!  You are Awesome!

So that is all for today.  Hail!   Cold temps, Running, Writing, Designing, and Fighting colds.   Who knew Summer in Iowa could be so exciting?

4th place awesome...to be exact.

I almost forgot Cheryl's latest trophy.    She placed 4th in the master division at the Madtown Half Marathon.   Check out her latest medal.  

Freakishly sexy legs

Still a work in Progress.

Cheryl's eventual goal.   (Dean Karnazes's legs)

And her Sexy legs.    She hopes to have them eventually look like other famous runners.  We shall see.

Stormy Days in Iowa

Wind and Rain and Hail..Oh My!

Yesterday,  a cold front came through with all the Panic and Hoopla that any Weather Channel junkie would swoon for.   The day started out fine, but mid-afternoon, the sirens blared and the phones beeped with warnings and emergencies.

30 minutes before the storm

It was a strange sight. The sun was out, and the air was calm.  There was only a small dark cloud in the distance that hinted at a storm.  The warning was for about a half hour, so we continued to score.

Dark skies in the distance.

Eventually the storm arrived and blew  some strong gusts.   Nothing terrible...no downed trees or branches.  The rain was pretty strong too.   We even got a little bit of pea-sized hail!  Fun!

Rain!  Glorious Rain!   I think this is what is mean by "coming down in Sheets!"

Thankfully only pea sized.

Ice in the hand

I'm happy that we did not lose power, have a tree fall on us or have the hail bash our car.  Subie is old enough without being battered by Mother Nature.

Cheryl runs

Better than THIS!

Other than that, the battle to score as much as possible continues.   Both Cheryl and I have had full weeks.   I have not been able to finish the tune up on Subie because of the lack of time.   We still manage to squeeze in an early morning run as well, although the distance is usually shorter.

Wardrobe change

Through the hills.

Speaking of the tune up!   I think my cleaning out the throttle body worked!   I really need to do a "complete job" though.   And perhaps I will have the opportunity this weekend.

 In the mean time, Subie no longer stalls at stop signs and idles consistently around 700 rpms.   The gas pedal sticks now, and I'm sure it is because of my "expedient clean" job.   I really need to take the throttle completely off for a proper cleaning.