It’s been a long hot summer. I didn’t intend to be here through the torrid days here in eastern Arizona’s desert, but circumstances kept me on the Double Barrel Ranch. I made the best of it. My swimming pool has been a godsend. Unless you were raised in a hot climate, when you move there as an adult, I think your blood can’t reestablish a homeostasis in the high heat. I have no trouble with a climate that throws below freezing temperatures at me. Of course I was raised on the shore of Lake Ontario waving at Canada across the waves.
On August 7, 2023, a very destructive rain and hail storm struck. 3 1/2 inches of precipitation in a little over an hour.
Siding and roofs and vehicles and anything outside not made of armor sustained damage. But the worst thing I suffered was my pristine blue pool was polluted by backed up runoff. The hail clogged the natural slopes which normally safely carry away the deluge. It was quite shocking to check the water quality after the storm and see this.
After monsoon rains I generally add some muriatic acid and shock chemicals and all is well. Instead I had to drain, power wash and refill the whole 8000 gallons.
But the native desert plants have taken it all in stride. They haven’t survived in this harsh climate for millennium by being frail. Flowers are everywhere.
Several neighbors have substantial property damage. I fortunately had minimal damage to my house and my truck. I guess they were both built with armor for that once in a lifetime storm. Kinda reminds me of Paul’s letter to his friends in Ephesus, in modern Turkey. Chapter 6, verse 13 “ …put on God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in time of evil.” If you wait until you are in the storm, well, it’s kinda getting too late, right?
