I think that I might have screwed up.  We were shy of rain, and the city was covered with volcanic ash, so I prayed for rain.  I even went into the street and did a Native American Dance to bring on the rain and wash away the ash. I was not really sure that it would work, but it did entertain the neighbors. The applause and shouts of “Gringo Loco” encouraged me to keep dancing.

It turns out that I danced for too long, because now the rain will not stop. I just watched the news and there are many flooded areas in the city.  It is clear that I was messing with forces beyond my pay grade.  CLICK HERE to see the result.

The only Sun Dance that I know is a film festival in Utah, so I am not sure what to do now.

That’s the view from my floating chair.

—Jim

Rain-Rain go away…not. Okay, I am back talking about the weather again. Normally, that would be somewhat boring, but in light of the recent focus on “climate change,” it is clearly more appropriate than in the past. It is now raining quite heavily in San José, and in the surrounding area. In light of the recent volcanic eruptions near the city, the rains are even more welcome. The volcano spews out a fine ash known in Spanish as ceniza volcánica. It is like a fine face power that covers everything. It creates problems related to breathing, especially for asthmatics. For more info CLICK HERE

Other parts of Costa Rica, as well as Panama and Nicaragua are also in need of some serious rain, so I hope that there is enough to go around. Right now it sure seems like there is. Those who have read my blogs already know that one of the four factors that are against the building of a canal in Nicaragua is the current lack of water. Lake Nicaragua, the lake that forms the basis of the proposed new canal is quite deficient in water right now. However, I hasten to add that it will indeed take more than just a higher lake level to guarantee the canal will be built, but if one wants a canal, then one must have water. CLICK HERE

I am happy that the rains have finally turned on, because they bring life, unless of course they come too quickly, and in too much quantity. Having a flood is no fun for the people who are affected. In Central America, the rainy season means that it can rain. It is sometimes confused with the term monsoon season, which we do not really have here, except in October, when it can rain really hard for many days, but during the rest of the rainy season, it usually only rains in the afternoon, or at night. That means that most mornings are sunny and bright, which allows one to do what must be done outside. In the afternoon, when it does rain, I stay inside and write blogs. If it is raining really hard, I sometimes contemplate building an ark!

In the absence of any real knowledge, my gut feeling is telling me that this year will bring sufficient rain to areas that in recent years have been a bit shy of the normal tropical rain. As for Nicaragua. If they are to have any chance of building a new canal, they need some very heavy rains this rainy season.

That’s the view from my chair…

–Jim

Note: In the event you care to know about volcanoes, click here

Today’s Pitiful Offering 2-160529