The weather here is often the big news. We've always had rain gauges and thermometers. My grandparents had a barometer hanging on the wall and for a time my husband had an electronic weather station with gadgets attached to the side of the house and roof and a display unit on the dining room counter.
I remember when the Weather Network first appeared on our TV screen when I was still living at home with my parents. My father would turn it on for a few minutes every morning before heading out to walk to work. It was fascinating to see what was going on across the country and interesting to see how often the weekend forecast changed before the weekend.
There were the weather jokes at craft fairs, nothing more than braided yarn and advice to watch how it behaved outside and the obvious gazes to the sky. My mother's father and brothers farmed and the weather had more impact on their livelihood, but we still watched the signs promising sunshine and storms.
The animals and birds seem smarter than we are when it comes to changing patterns, but these days we have even more resources at our fingertips. There are weather forecast lines to call on the phone, people are in constant contact through text messaging and smart phones offer satellite imaging projecting the path storm cells are expected to follow.
My farming friends and family members want to know what to expect in order to plan their days, but it also causes a great deal of stress as they wait for effects they have no control over.
The people I know in the oilfield try to plan ahead anticipating the muddy or snow blocked roads and equipment overheating or freezing up. We prepare for our time enjoying nature and at festivals, ball games and outdoor concerts by bringing sunscreen, caps and umbrellas. I blame myself for 小蓝视频 soaking wet or sun burnt when I don't fill the trunk up with every combination of wind, rain, snow and sun gear whether I've checked the weather or not.
I should know by now to be prepared for everything, always. Even with the 24 hour projections and the satellite images there are still unexpected moments and although we can often see what may happen, we have no control over it.
The sky over this province has always been something for me to watch. I love cloud patterns, sunsets and the crackle of lightening in the distance. We may not always know exactly what will happen, but technology has also allowed us to take pictures and share them almost instantly. We can share the living sky across our beautiful Saskatchewan and I forecast it will always give us something to talk about.
