Tropical is as Tropical Does

English: Diagram used in proof of barometric f...

English: Diagram used in proof of barometric formula (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It is Friday and it has been a lovely week. Here in South Texas we got a whole bunch of rain. This means that the water restrictions, as a result of the drought, will be lifted soon. A cold (relatively) front moved in on Tuesday so the night-time lows are in the sixties for the next few days. This means we can open some windows and allow the air conditioner to have a few nights off. We’ll be back to the higher degrees, but for now it is great. The cold front also signals the end of the hurricane season so we can put the survival gear back in the closet and enjoy the rain and wind without worrying about the surge and damage that hurricanes bring.

You know you live in a tropical climate when you become pretty nonchalant about storms with names. The only time it gets dicey is when the barometric pressure starts dropping toward the nine-hundreds. Oh yes we have a barometer that we read and understand. I never thought I would ever be able to understand the barometric pressure situation.  There are other things about living in a tropical climate that I never thought about.  Here are some:

  • Never thought I would understand the difference between a cockroach and Palmetto bug. (hint: there is none, nicer name is all)
  • Never thought I would need a dermatologist on call. (Knows me by name)
  • Never thought I would stop wearing socks. (and underwear)
  • Never thought I would be concerned about gophers and spiders the size of gophers. (Both carry weapons)
  • Never thought I would be concerned about door hinges rusting off from the salty spray. (No slamming of doors around here)
  • Never thought I would have to have the house repainted every three years. (salty spray again)
  • Never thought I would be concerned when a gang of ants decide they want the patio furniture. (I just give it to ‘em now)
  • Never thought I would be glad for a cloudy day. (Few and far between)
  • Never thought I would be super happy to have spent the money for a parts and labor extended warrantee on the air conditioning system. (Full ten-year and the system has been replaced twice)

There are more, but it is time to wish you all a happy weekend

30 comments

  1. Pamela Beckford's avatar

    I hope you have a grand weekend John

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    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      You as well. Lots of relax. I’m not on the voting team for CSB this week. (Really good idea) but will look forward to how it comes out.

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  2. Charles Yallowitz's avatar

    Sounds like you have great weather for the weekend. I’m envious. Good to hear cockroaches and palmetto bugs are the same. I never figured out the difference and thought it was simply a matter of size. Roaches were the tiny guys and Palmettos were the mouse-sized monsters that required phone books and full on battle to kill.

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    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I use an automatic 9MM

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      1. Charles Yallowitz's avatar

        I had swords, but I didn’t want to damage them.

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        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          Need a Luke-like arrangement.

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        2. Charles Yallowitz's avatar

          Or Nyx with a fireball. Though, insurance might not like that.

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  3. Frank @ Beach Walk Reflections's avatar

    Thanks for the chuckles … and enjoy your weekend.

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    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      You as well. Thanks for stopping by.

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  4. S.K. Nicholls's avatar

    I can so relate to this. I just took down a trellis from The Jungle because the invasive vines had taken over the desirable vines that had been planted there. The vines, I found, were the only thing holding the rusted out trellis in place. The air actually eats metal here. Funny stuff. Have a nice weekend.

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  5. Kevin Brennan's avatar

    Fascinating stuff! TMI on the underwear thing, though… ;o)

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    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I don’t comb my hair either.(BTW when you are in board shorts all day underwear is redundant)

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  6. guyportman's avatar

    The rain is great news. I hear that your feral pig population in Texas explodes every time there is a deluge. Here in London we don’t appreciate rain like you guys.

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    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Well the pigs do present the hunters with an outlet for their bullet obsession. I have been to London and can understand the lack of interest in rain.
      Burberry raincoats sure are nice though.

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      1. guyportman's avatar

        They sure are. I have a lovely Burberry coat, but it is not waterproof unfortunately.

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  7. Hot Rod Cowgirl's avatar

    I love this! You have some interesting critters down there and weather too! i probably mentioned to you before that I LOVE the ocean…love the Oregon Coast…I try to get there at least once a year for a week and it is never long enough!

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    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thanks for stopping. Yes you did say you like the Oregon Coast. It is beautiful there. We used to live in California (Sonoma) and enjoyed the Northern coast a lot. We could never get enough there either.

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  8. Katie Sullivan's avatar

    For all the warmth, it’s the big bugs and spiders that get me – great post, John! Have a great weekend!

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  9. Jack Flacco's avatar

    Good work with the extended warranty! We didn’t do that with our first car and the alternator went just days after the three-year warranty lapsed. It wasn’t an expensive repair, but it was a repair nonetheless!

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    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      There is a warranty god somewhere who just knows when to have something fail. Two days after the warranty expires is perfect.

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  10. Cayman Thorn's avatar

    The only time I concern myself with barometric pressure is when I feel woozy. Of course, I never think to blame my beverage of choice the night before . . .
    PS- Spiders the size of gophers and furniture carrying ants? You’re living inside of a B-movie! Run for your life!!!

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    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Don’t worry I have plenty of ammo and gin.

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  11. Ellespeth's avatar

    I’m chuckling over your post and Charles’ comment 😛 Hope your week end is nice and cool!
    Ellespeth

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    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Yours too. Thanks.

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  12. Katie Cross's avatar

    I love visiting tropical places, but I’m from Idaho. I like the cold, and gray skies every now and then. While I love and respect the ocean, it’s the mountains that have my heart.

    Oh, and repainting your house every three years? Goodness. That’s a lot of work!

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    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Yes it is a lot of work. Who knew?

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  13. […] Tropical is as Tropical Does (johnwhowell.com) […]

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    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thanks for the ping back

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