Quieter weather but how long/Poll Results/New Poll

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
Wednesday will be quieter after severe weather hit the southeast, including 3 tornadoes in Florida. There will be a few snow/rain showers across the Sierra Nevada, Intermountain Region and northern Rockies. Look for showers in NYC, DC and Norfolk. Highs in the northeast will be in the 40s and 50s. There will be 30s to 50s out west. And the southern states will be in the 70s and 80s. IN BANDERA GERRY, it will be quite windy, but mild with highs in the 80s--no rain--sorry.

In Houston, winds come back strong out of the southeast. So it will be a breezy, mild and more humid day. Some showers are possible on Thursday but look for thunderstorms (potentially severe Friday, Saturday and Sunday). Early next week will be delightful-much like the beginning of this week.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAYs
Let's do poll or encuesta, pronounced ehn-QWEHS-tah. We have a new poll about favorite seasons.

We got notice from one of our big distributors today that we should be getting a rather large order--about 600 copies for a special--buy one, get one free program which Barnes and Noble will be offering in June. So, you can wait for that and order our award winning Volume 1 DVD of Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco at that time at a 2 for 1 price. Or, you can order today from www.frankandpaco.com/. You can also order from http://www.venturaes.com/, http://www.dololanguages.com/, http://www.carlexonline.com,www.thecuriousmindstore.com/, http://www.amazon.com/,http://www.bestbuy.com/, and http://www.barnesandnoble.com/. Volume 2 is almost ready for release and Volume 3 will follow soon thereafter!!! For our English as a Second Language (ESL) version, got to http://www.frankypaco.com/.

AND MORE
Our poll on favorite Easter candy is closed. 8% liked peeps, 8% liked jelly beans, and 8% liked chocolate covered marshmallows the best. 25% liked chocolate eggs the best. 41% liked chocolate anything the best. 8% like some other type, not listed, the best. And 0% said they never eat candy and 0% said they like chocolate bunnies the best. Only one answer was allowed. Thanks for participating.

The new poll is about favorite seasons. Which one is your favorite? Only one answer is allowed. Enjoy!

Next week is going to be a busy but hectic week for me. You see, I am on the board of the nation's only weather museum and it's right here in Houston--The John C. Freeman Weather Museum.

On Tuesday, April 21st - Climate Change Seminar www.wxresearch.org/events
Wednesday, April 22nd - Free Museum Birthday/Earth Day Festivities at museum with yours truly as emcee www.wxresearch.org/earthday
Friday, April 24th - Weather Museum Golf Classic at Wildcat Golf Course www.wxresearch.org

In January we had a hurricane seminar and it was fantastic! I know that this Climate Change Seminar is going to be equally fascinating! I sure hope you all can check it out.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Forecast for the Week/New Poll

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
There was some severe weather in the midwest and southeast today--including 5 tornadoes. Some thunderstorms over the southeast and across the Rockies to the northern plains on Tuesday. Highs will be in the 40s to 60 across the northern states and in the 70s and 80s for the southern half of the country.

Houston will be sunny and dry on Tuesday and there is an ozone watch. Look for rain as early as Thursday but most likely Friday. Some rain is possible over the weekend.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do illness or enfermo, pronounced ehn-FAIR-moh. Sarah had some kind of enfermo last night.

The last chapter of our upcoming Volume 2 will have a chapter on feelings and one of the terms is enfermo. Until that is done, you can order our award winning Volume 1 DVD of Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco from www.frankandpaco.com/. You can also order from http://www.venturaes.com/, http://www.dololanguages.com/, http://www.carlexonline.com,www.thecuriousmindstore.com/, http://www.amazon.com/,http://www.bestbuy.com/, and http://www.barnesandnoble.com/. Volume 2 is almost ready for release and Volume 3 will follow soon thereafter!!! For our English as a Second Language (ESL) version, got to http://www.frankypaco.com/.

AND MORE
Due to technical difficulties, I am unable to see my blog to give you the poll results for favorite Easter candy. I will say that chcocolate of any kind was in the lead. By the way, I am seeing more and more health benefits to eating dark chocolate. I will go ahead with my new poll -- I thought of it because the sun's rays feel noticeably more intense--summer is not far away. That got me to thinking about what my favorite season is...so what is your's. Only one answer is allowed. Have fun!

I'm going to run. Sarah got sick last night and stayed home from school day. She just asked me to rub her tummy--that takes priority over the blog.

Have a terrific Tuesday!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Weather Forecast/Easter Fun and Too Much Chocolate

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
Some storms this evening moving into the southeast (Louisiana/Mississippi/Alabama) and on Monday, focal point for severe weather will be in the southeast and in Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky. There will also be some rain over the northern Rockies and some rain/snow over northern Maine. Most of the country will be mild and in the south, there will be many locations in the 80s.

Severe storms brought penny sized hail to FM 529 and Greenhouse Rd (west side of Houston) and damaging winds to Dayton late morning and early afternoon respectively. My stepdad, Gerry says that Bandera had heavy rain and some rumbles of thunder around daybreak. He also said that if I just start talking about Bandera weather more, I will see more hits coming from Bandera. So, here you go Gerry--I had better see those hits!!!

Houston will be mild on Monday with humidity dropping as a weak cold front arrives. There is a pleasantly cool morning on the way for Tuesday with a mild afternoon--high around 80. Look for sunshine both days. Some storms later in the week and over the weekend.

SPANISH WORD FOR THE DAY
Let's do home or hogar, pronounced ho-GAR. Roll that r a bit at the end. After traveling to Austin, it is good to be at my hogar.

Words associated with home are very important to youngsters. That's why our team of teachers included that in the content of the very first volume of our award winning DVD, Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco. You can order Volume 1 from www.frankandpaco.com/. You can also order from http://www.venturaes.com/, http://www.dololanguages.com/, http://www.carlexonline.com,www.thecuriousmindstore.com/, http://www.amazon.com/,http://www.bestbuy.com/, and http://www.barnesandnoble.com/. Volume 2 is almost ready for release and Volume 3 will follow soon thereafter!!! For our English as a Second Language (ESL) version, got to http://www.frankypaco.com/.

AND MORE
We went to Memaw's house in Austin for a huge Easter egg hunt this weekend. Children of all ages (including up to 28 years old) enjoyed hunting for eggs. As I took pictures, I was bombarded, no slammed, by confetti eggs. I am still shaking it out of my hair. All, except one, of my five siblings and their children were there. It was just a really good time.

We arrived Saturday and stayed at the Embassy Suites hotel at 290/I35. I was very impressed by the suite...very clean with the nice living area up front, microwave, refrigerator, 2 widescreen TVs, 3 sinks (1 in living area, 1 in bathroom, 1 in bedroom). And perhaps the most surprising part was the free breakfast buffet. We're talking eggs made to order, pancakes and everything your heart could desire for breakfast. With a pullout couch, the place could sleep 6--price $109 per night.

We went to mass at a small church at 8 am. There just weren't that many people there...it was more relaxing than our home parish of St. Laurence--which I'm sure was overflowing today. But, when we left, there were so many people waiting to get in for the Spanish mass. I spoke to one of the parishioners who was a founding member in the 60s of Sacred Heart Parish. She said the parish has evolved over these four decades. It did not start this way, but now the majority of the parishioners are spanish speaking.

I gave up chocolate for Lent...I felt it was something my 1st graders in CCE could comprehend. To be honest, I usually don't give up anything. Well, it proved very, very difficult. Sarah kept reminding me that I could not have chocolate. As we helped the Easter Bunny hide goodies this morning, I had those first few bites---sooooooooooooooooooooooooo good and sooooooooooooooooooooo missed!!! I guess my tummy wasn't used to it, because I didn't feel too good after 20 pieces--just kidding--I think I had 19. I just can't put down the chocolate like I used to. You know, I had perfected my chocolate eating physique. Guess I'd better work on that one. It's going to be a challenge, but I am determined to do it.

Don't eat too much candy everyone! Tomorrow I'll have the results of our Easter candy preference poll.

Have a great week!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Easter Forecast/Hannah Montana Movie Review

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
There were 41 tornadoes daybreak Saturday through daybreak Sunday (according to The Storm Prediction Center). Today, the risk is in west Texas and then will be further easter on Sunday. These will be the worst of the weather areas. There will also be showers in the Pacific Northwest, Rockies and northern plains. Highs will be in the 30s through 50s across the northern 2 tiers of states. Highs will be in the 60s to 80s across the southern half of the country.

Houston has cooled down...a pleasantly cool day with a chance for rain and an isolated thunderstorm or two this afternoon. Rain will begin early on Sunday with some severe storm as early as late morning and winding down by late afternoon. Sorry for the soggy forecast. Make a backup plan for an indoor egg hunt.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do Easter or Pascua, pronounced PAHS-cwah. Sunday is the celebration of Pascua.

Gear up for the summer break now--you can entertain and educate your youngsters with our award winning DVD, Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco. You can order Volume 1 from www.frankandpaco.com/. You can also order from http://www.venturaes.com/, http://www.dololanguages.com/, http://www.carlexonline.com,www.thecuriousmindstore.com/, http://www.amazon.com/,http://www.bestbuy.com/, and http://www.barnesandnoble.com/. Volume 2 is almost ready for release and Volume 3 will follow soon thereafter!!! For our English as a Second Language (ESL) version, got to http://www.frankypaco.com/.

AND MORE
Saw the new Hannah Montana movie with Megan and Sarah on Friday. It is basically the TV show set in Tennessee and taking longer. Sarah liked it for a while but got bored toward the end. Megan loved it--tears and everything. I thought it was entertaining but could have been about 10 minutes shorter. There isn't a lot of dancing and singing--it's not like the backstage movie that came out a year or so ago.

Only a couple more days to vote on your favorite Easter egg candy--from my friend Marilyn - this is what she likes:

"The malted milk balls that you can lick and smear on your lips and make your lips look like they have blue or yellow etc lipstick!!!!!"

Have fun eating Easter candy tomorrow!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Easter Weekend Forecast/Good Friday Reflection

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
There were 25 tornadoes Thursday and so far today there have been 4 mainly in Tennessee. Look at the severe figures at right. Also, note that I added a 3rd figure for Easter Sunday. Today, very stormy over the Tennessee Valley and the southeast. The good news is most of the country is fairly mild to warm. On Sunday the stormy areas will include Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana. Some of the weather will be severe.

Cold front is slowly pushing through Houston today. The main change will be a drop in humidity. Saturday will be fairly comfortable--cool in the morning, mild in the afternoon. More muggy on Sunday with rain in the morning--do the egg hunts by 10 am and be prepared for a sprinkle or two. Storms begin as soon as late morning with the biggest threat in the afternoon.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do worship or culto, pronounced COOL-toe. For Christians, this is an important day of culto.

Don't forget to order our award winning DVD, Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco. You can order Volume 1 from www.frankandpaco.com/. You can also order from http://www.venturaes.com/, http://www.dololanguages.com/, http://www.carlexonline.com,www.thecuriousmindstore.com/, http://www.amazon.com/,
http://www.bestbuy.com/, and http://www.barnesandnoble.com/. For our English as a Second Language (ESL) version, got to http://www.frankypaco.com/.

AND MORE
Today, Christians reflect and remember how Jesus was crucified. This is a time of solemn reflection. Many fast and some abstain from eating certain things like meat. This is not about the meat but to serve as a reminder of how Jesus suffered. Giving up meat is a small sacrifice compared to what he experienced. But we reflect and remember every time we stop ourselves from consuming meat. The same is true for fasting. When I was growing up, our church had a service from 12 noon to 3 pm. It is believed that Jesus finally died at 3 pm. This was an interesting service because ministers from many Christian denominations (not just Catholic) came and spoke. I enjoyed attending every year.

For those who do not believe that Jesus died for our sins, at least we can all reflect on how he lived his life and the simple yet important lessons he taught. He gave us the compassionate God and helps us develop a way of life which is outwardly focused on the needs of others. The world would be a much better place if everyone would live according to his Great Commandment:
Love God with all you heart and soul and
Treat others as you would have them treat you.
Now loving God seems abstract but it is actually very straightforward--pray, worship God as a community (so that we do not become islands) and be kind to others.

Have a good day everyone.
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Severe Weather Update - Late Thursday 4/9

There have been 12 tornadoes from northeast Texas through eastern Oklahoma, eastern Kansas and western Arkansas.

I have updated the severe risk graphics for the next 2 days.

Houston will get a nice wind shift by midday Friday...that will drop humidity a bit. Latest eta model run indicates a heavy downpour in Houston by daybreak Sunday. But other models not so bullish. I would say have an indoor backup plan for that Easter egg hunt. Will update as soon as I can.

Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Forecast through Sunday/Passover and Seder Supper

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
Some storms are already building in Oklahoma and take note of the moderate and slight risk areas for severe weather (figures at right). There will also be some rain/snow in the Pacific Northwest, Intermountain region, northern Plains, and northern New England. 30s, 40s, and 50s across the northern tier of states but very much spring warmth across the south with highs in the 70s and 80s. Easter Sunday, storms will develop over northwest and north central Texas and western Oklahoma and progress eastward into east Texas, eastern Oklahoma, Arkansas and western Louisiana by late in the day. All of these areas could have some showers at any time on Easter Sunday. So, keep an eye to the sky as you and the Easter Bunny plan those Easter egg hunts.

Houston will be muggy today with highs close to 80. An isolated shower is possible. Weather will stay mild into the weekend. There will be a few showers during the first half of Easter Sunday with some storms later in the day.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do basket or cesta, pronounced SEHS-tah. Don't forget to get your Easter cesta ready for Sunday.

The colors are so vivid right now (at least here in Houston). We've had some rain and mild weather. It reminds me of when we shot our first 3 volumes of our award winning DVD, Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco. Everthing was so green from early summer rain!!! Yesterday, we completed the back end editing of the 2nd volume and the front end part is coming along nicely. Will let you know when Volume 2 is ready. In the meantime, you can order Volume 1 from www.frankandpaco.com/. You can also order from http://www.venturaes.com/, http://www.dololanguages.com/, http://www.carlexonline.com,www.thecuriousmindstore.com/, http://www.amazon.com/, http://www.bestbuy.com/, and http://www.barnesandnoble.com/. For our English as a Second Language (ESL) version, got to http://www.frankypaco.com/.

AND MORE

For all of our Jewish friends, I hope you and your families will have a wonderful Passover observance. Contrary to widespread belief, Catholics do notice and sometimes observe Passover. I know that some believe that Catholics don't like Jewish people. But it is definitely not my experience growing up Catholic. In fact, it was always quite clear that Jesus was Jewish and that our faith evolved as a result of his work. We study the Old and New Testaments. And we look back to our Jewish ancestry/base as our beginning.

In my teenage years, our pastor held a Seder supper for the parishioners. My mother and I attended. Unbenownst to me, the pastor was following some sort of formula where you ceremonially drink 4 glasses of fermented beverage--he used burgundy. My mother discretely sipped all of these offerings as she never liked the taste of alcohol. But I in my zeal to observe the ceremony to the fullest, drank all offerings completely. Well, it wasn't until after the four drinks that we ate a Seder supper. I got up to use the restroom and was quite inebbriated. Now, I have to disclose that I was very naive and just had no idea what alcohol can do. So, I was somewhat startled. My mother (who had not really realized what I was doing) kind of clucked her tongue and said to me, "You didn't have to drink all of it!!!" To be honest, I don't remember anything else from that evening. But I will say, it was interesting and I am glad to have grown up with a loving and accepting and respecting parish. This has always been my experience as a Catholic...one of including and embracing people of all faiths, especially the Jewish faith.

Have a great day everyone!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman