Windmill Farms/Texas Show Review/Thoughts on Sarah Palin

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
Atlantic basin is quiet. There is a system that will probably become a tropical depression off the west coast of Mexico. But, it is moving away from land and will probably continue. I will let you know if this changes.

Storms are moving up and over the ridge over the southwest US. There will be plenty of 100s and 90 across the southwest and southern plains. Look for more comfortable conditions for the rest of the country with highs ranging from the 60s to 80s. Southeast will be quite humid. Severe storms are possible in two main areas...see figure at right.

Houston, this is the 3rd day in a row of record temperatures. Today, the high reached 101 at both Bush Airport and Hobby Airport breaking the old records set in 2005. It will be cooler due to showers and thunderstorms Monday and Tuesday. Enjoy!

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do windmill, or molino de viento, pronounced moh-LEE-noh DAY vee-EHN-toe. Look to the right to see a huge molina de viento.

Summer is a time for play and that's why we were able to get so many great shots of children having fun when we shot our award winning DVD, Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco, Volume 1. And kids love to watch other children having fun. The neat thing is they don't even realize they are learning while being entertained. 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/. For our English as a Second Language (ESL) version, go to http://www.frankypaco.com

AND MORE
The photo at right shows a few of the giant windmills being used to generate electricity. These were on a plateau as we drove northwest on U.S. Highway 84 between Abilene and Lubbock. There were hundreds, possibly thousands of these windmills on and off over the span of a 100 miles are so. I have also seen some in eastern New Mexico, near Interstate 40 and my sister Julie tells me she has seen some near I10. in the desert southwest. One of the neatest things I saw was a place where they were storing the parts. The blades were huge...I would guesstimate 25 feet long.

The Texas show in Palo Duro Canyon was especially outstanding last night. And we were so lucky because there were storms east and south but none right where we were--to cancel the show. And the high clouds and sprinkles in our area kept everything nice and cool. It is the 75th anniversary of Palo Duro Canyon and the 44th year of the Texas musical in the canyon. At the end of the show, there was a bonus of a 4th of July fireworks display. As we drove away from the show, there was a lovely display of nature's own fireworks...lightning in the distance.

This morning, it was so pleasant...rain cooled air. The trip from Amarillo to Edgewood (just east of Albuquerque) was so easy. Now, we are in Edgewood. The air is dry and there was a brief thundershower that cooled the air even more. The windows are open and it is just sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo refreshing!!!

Even though on vacation, I haven't missed the news about Sarah Palin. My own feelings about this matter are that maybe, just maybe, the reality of her young son's care (and her new grandchild) are just too much. When I left television, my main reason was Sarah--who had extra needs that were at times all consuming. Many people I know were shocked that I left such a great career. But, my heart was breaking and it was too much to handle knowing that I was letting her down. Just my thoughts... For what it's worth, my brother-in-law says he thinks she is pregnant.

Hope whatever you are doing, you are having fun!

Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Rain Returns!/Poll Results/New Poll

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
There is one non-tropical area of low pressure in the central Atlantic...that probably won't develop. There is an area off the west coast of Mexico which has a chance to develop...but it will probably move away from land. Will keep watching.

High pressure over the south central US will start weakening and slipping westward over the weekend as an upper trough digs in from the northeast. Until then, stormy areas will be up and over the top of the ridge. See Storm Prediction risk areas at right. There will also be some thunderstorms in Florida. 100+ for much of Texas and Arizona. Pleasant along the west coast of California, northwest, northern plains and the northeast.

Houston's high of 100 on Friday tied the record of 100 from 1980. This was also the second day in a row of at least 100 degree weather. Look for a high very close to 100 for the Fourth and almost as hot on Sunday. But then, important weather changes!!!!!!!! Rain returns and it will be cooler with some scattered showers and thunderstorms through Friday. Yippee!!!

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do fire or fuego, pronounced FWAY-go. Remember the burn ban and any restrictions on fireworks...everything is really dry.

Don't just fire up the grill this summer. Fire up your child's interest in other languages. Order our award winning Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco, 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, go to http://www.frankypaco.com

AND MORE
Our poll about how you like to network on the Internet is closed. More than one answer was allowed. 55% said they on are on Facebook. 11% use My Space. 11% use Twitter. 77% use email. 22% have their own blog. No one used a list server, was on Linked In, or had some other way. Thanks to all who participated.

The new poll has to do with ideal vacations. I am providing a list of possibilities and you can only choose one. Have fun dreaming!!!

It was like my childhood all over again. My youngest brother got some fireworks and we set them off. The sparklers were duds...could barely light them (even with a match!!!). But we had fun igniting some roman candles and some of those ones that spin on the ground. The kids, my nephews Toby, Zach and Joseph reacted in different ways. Toby was wary. Zach wasn't very interested and Joseph (the youngest) wanted to get way too close!!! Sarah was tired and nervous that I would get hurt. Then, we watched a community display which was actually very good. Before the fireworks, my brother had a cool inflated waterslide set up in his backyard. He cooked out hamburgers and hot dogs and his wife made yummy fruit kabobs. My sister Liz had brought over her 6 month old Golden Retriever, Boone. He is a doll and so fun to wrestle with. At 70 pounds, he is hard to handle. Liz said he is going to make it to 100 pounds. Yikes!!! It was a fun night!!!

Have a happy and safe fourth everyone!!!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Hotter Again/Thanks Law Enforcement/Happy Birthday

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
Tropics are quiet!

Ridge has moved slightly back to the east and that means dry across the south central US. There will be plenty of 100+ temperatures in Texas and a few in the desert Southwest. The west coast, northwest, northern plains and northeast will be pleasant with highs in the 60s, 70s and 80s. There will be some severe storms over the north central US and a small area on the east coast. See figure at right.

Houston did not reach 100 today although many locations were close. Look for some 100 degree readings over the next few days (including the 4th) but it won't be the string of record breaking days we had before. Still, it will be a great weekend for the pool. Remember there is a burn ban in effect and there is also an Ozone Watch. So, the more you can do indoors, the better.

Let's do independence or independencia, pronounced ehn-deh-pehn-dehn-SEE-ah. Just a few more days until we celebrate our independencia.

Research shows that people who speak more than one language, on average, earn more than their monolingual counterparts. Get your kids excited about Spanish. Order our award winning Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco, 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, go to http://www.frankypaco.com

AND MORE
As we look ahead to our nation's independence, let us not forget the men and women who keep us safe overseas and at home. Law enforcement will be extra busy this year with the long holiday weekend.

My good friend Leslie Williams-Dennis sent me another great article. The Gus George Law Enforcement Academy just graduated its last group of cadets in the original building it started graduating cadets 24 years ago. Next group will be celebrating in a new building. Thanks for the article Leslie!
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nb/fortbend/news/6503014.html#

A special Happy Birthday to my step-daughter Megan who turns 21 on Thursday. Megan, you are such a joy! I'll never forget when I first met you...how you came bounding up the steps and gave me a big hug. You wouldn't let me go. We love you and hope you have the happiest birthday ever!!!

Have a terrific Thursday!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Record Heat Ends/Amazing Facebook/Goodbye Comcast

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
Sorry to be such a stranger of late...have a lot going on and will explain later. This is going to be a more concise blog entry and I'll try to do better soon.

Tropics are quiet.

Ridge over western US will ease back eastward but won't be as strong over the next few days. This means mainly dry weather over south central US starting Thursday and continuing for a few days.

Houston, today we did NOT break 100 after 7 straight days of 100+ and 6 new high records for Bush Airport. Also had a 2nd day of thunder and showers. A few thunderstorms are possible again on Wed. Still hot and humid with highs in the upper 90s. A couple spots in the area might hit 100 the next 2 days.

AND MORE
EPA is proposing adding a new standard for Nitrogen Dioxide. There has been one for an annual averaging period for a long time (more than 20 years). The new standard will be for one hour and it has to do with asthma woes. Will elaborate more as I learn more--especially if this new standard gets promulgated.

I have been working on consolidating/reducing some of my media/entertainment equipment and expenses. I am now using my smartphone to access the Internet (cost is only $30 per month through Verizon). I am fairly certain that I will be getting rid of Comcast high speed Internet. Now since I had a Verizon Wireless device, they are going to let me use that line to keep my home phone number on an old cell phone. So Comcast will lose my home phone. And I am planning to install Dish Network and get rid of Comcast digital cable. By the way, I offered Comcast the option of being kept for local phone and cable if they would waive the disconnect penalty fee. But they refused. I told them they are about to lose a customer.

So, all of these changes are eating up my time as I'm sure you all can relate.

I also got on Facebook and now I am having dreams about high school because all of my high school friends are contacting me. It is so weird...like we just left high school yesterday and now with Facebook, we are picking up where we left off. I just don't have time to play/converse like I would like. But it really is amazing!!! More to come on that!

Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone!

Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

More Record Heat/Rain in Forecast!/Synchronized Swimming

HURRICANES AND WEATHER

Still watching Invest 93L this evening (see figure at right). If you look at the satellite image below that, it doesn't look very impressive--all stretched out and disorganized. And conditions look to be inhospitable as it moves northwest into the Gulf. On a more hopeful note...some of the models steer the low pressure trough toward the lower Texas coast...that would be great!!! Come on rain for this parched area.

Speaking of rain....there are many places in the country which have at least an opportunity for some storms on Monday (see figure at right a few items down). The ridge is finally shifting westward. And because storms ride down the right side of the ridge, places like Oklahoma and Texas will get some storms. This more western ridge position means it will be very hot in western locales like Reno, NV. Meanwhile the southeast won't be quite so hot. It will be pleasantly mild in the northeast and around the Great Lakes. West coast of California will be nice and mild.

Houston does not have a heat advisory for Monday (at least not as I write this). The high today was 102 at Bush Airport (breaking the old record of 101 set in 1980). And Hobby Airport had a record too! 101 breaking old record of 99 set in 1980. Wow! This was the 6th straight day of 100+ at Bush Airport. Well, Houston, I can tell you that it will be slightly cooler this week, especially Tuesday with some thunderstorms. There could be thunderstorms as early as Monday evening. Enjoy!!!

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY

Let's do swim or nadar, pronounced nah-DARR. Nadar is what a lot of people do to beat the heat. Find out about a group of young ladies who are competing in synchronized swimming in the AND MORE section.

The 3rd chapter of the first volume of our award winning DVD Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco is about play including swimming. Kids love watching other kids doing things they themselves love to do (like swimming). Get your copy today at 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, go to http://www.frankypaco.com

AND MORE
Some of the pools in our area are staying open late. We took advantage and took Sarah for an evening swim. After 6 days of 100+ temperatures here in Houston, that water was mighty warm...not refreshing. People were hanging around the pipes bringing in cool water. I have never been in a pool that was so warm (not even in August). Fortunately, once the sun went down, it felt much more comfortable.

Speaking of swimming, Sugar Land First Colony has a team of synchronized swimmers at national competition this week. Check out this writeup from my buddy, Leslie Williamson, a Chronicle reporter.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nb/fortbend/news/6493455.html

Have a great week everyone...be optimistic--keep those umbrellas handy.

Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

More Record Heat/Breaking the Heat Wave/Remembering Michael Jackson

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
The National Hurricane Center is carefully watching Invest 93L in the western Caribbean. It has a 30 to 50% chance for development starting late Saturday (at that point it will have crossed the Yucatan into the Gulf). Flat ridge over southern US will probably steer it into Mexico.

On Saturday, 100+ across much of the southwest, Texas, Oklahoma and into Tennessee. Elsewhere in the southeast, lots of 90s with some thunderstorms in Florida. There will be some severe weather across portions of the northern plains, upper Midwest and Great Lakes. On Sunday, the ridge flattens a bit and that means there will be fewer 100+ readings, especially for the more northern locations.

This is the 4th day in a row of 100+ temperatures in Houston. Another record high today...this time the high (as of this writing) 103 breaks the record for this date--102 set back in 1980. Hobby tied its record of 99. Heat Advisory is in effect through Saturday. Ridge will start sliding west and Sunday should be slightly cooler, but it will still be very hot and steamy. Then the ridge flattens out. Bottom line is that hot and steamy weather will continue for the foreseeable future, but the 100+ readings should stop for several days starting on Sunday. On a different note, there were thunderstorms on Thursday. 1/3 inch of rain fell in the Sugar Land area. Isolated storms will be possible through the weekend.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do weekend or fin de semana, pronounced FEEN DAY say-MAH-nah. Yay! It's the fin de semana.

During summer, the weekends and weekdays can run together when the kids are out of school. Keep their minds busy and entertained. Order your copy of our award winning Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco, 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, go to http://www.frankypaco.com

AND MORE

There are all kinds of pioneers including those in the field of weather. Today, the John C. Freeman Weather Museum hosted the first ever Weather Pioneers event. I was one of the participants along with Casey Curry of Channel 13 and Lance Wood of the National Weather Service in Houston. I pointed out that museum director, Jill Hasling, is a contemporary pioneer...one of a few women who is a Fellow of the American Meteorological Society and a Certified Consulting Meteorologist. Jill's father, Dr. John Freeman and his wife Marj Freeman, were also weather pioneers. They worked on the Eniac computer team with Johann Von Neumann, one of the computer's first inventors. The computer was developed to solve forecasting equations and Marj was one of the folks (and the only woman) who calculated the correct answer to compare against the results cranked out by the computer.

The public is invited to attend Weather Pioneer Day, a free, day-long celebration, which will include admission to the museum and kid-friendly activities the whole family can enjoy on Saturday, June 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Attention will be focused on the work of the first weather pioneers in the region and the challenges they faced in recording their data. This exhibition is devoted to them and their life’s work. The John C. Freeman Weather Museum is located at 5104 Caroline in the Museum District.

Thursday night from 5 to 8 pm is free at the Children's Museum. Sarah and I headed down there last night and it was incredibly busy. But, we still had fun. I had to follow Sarah through the 3-D maze and I must say, it was kind of scary. I had to lug along my purse and I almost lost my sandals several times. I am a bit claustrophobic and not being able to see how to get out bothered me a bit. But there is nothing like trying to keep up with a fast child to take your mind off your own worries. I figured they could rescue us if we weren't out by closing at 8 pm. Guess it wasn't so weird when I kissed the exhibit next to the opening when we finally got out. That's what I did okay?!...just grateful to be alive and free!!! Ha!

Our poll on the challenges of handling children during the school year versus the summer is closed. 100% of respondents felt that it is more challenging to handle children during the summer. Thanks to all who responded.

Today I added Cecilia Sinclair to Facebook. If you check out my page, please be patient as I am building it slowly. I have 4 email accounts, 2 web sites, another Facebook site for Frank the Horse, Linked In, 1 list server, this blog and more to check and/or maintain. So, as I pondered this plethora of ways to network and communicate, I wondered how my full plate compared to that of everyone else. More than one answer is allowed. Thanks in advance for participating.

Finally, a reflection on Michael Jackson. I had a poster of him in my room when I was a little girl. I thought he and Donny Osmond were too cute and wanted to marry one of them. Of course, everyone loved the Jackson 5 and there was a cartoon about them that I watched. When I was in high school and college, he was doing some of his best work. Fame is a strange thing and it sometimes makes people turn out differently than they would have otherwise. I often wonder what he would have been like if not for all the fame and fortune. He was just one of us kids once. We will miss this musical/entertainment genius.

Have a fun and safe weekend everyone!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Record for June Broken!!!/When the Heat Wave will Break!

HURRICANES AND WEATHER

Both Atlantic and Pacific tropics have quited.

Very hot across south central US with lots of 90s and 100s. 80s and 70s for the rest of the country and notice the 3 risk areas for severe weather. Ridge will ease west over the weekend and that should cut the extreme heat by a few degrees in Texas.

In the meantime, Houston hit 104 on Wed. This is the all time hottest ever for Houston in the month of June. Previous record was set on June 30th 1980-103 and there was also a 103 in 1918. Expect it to be 100+ again today. This morning's low was a steamy 84 and if it doesn't drop below that by midnight, that will be a record high minimum.

Here is the Heat Advisory issued by the National Weather Service!!!
...HEAT ADVISORY FOR ALL OF SOUTHEAST TEXAS...
.A HEAT ADVISORY HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR SOUTHEAST TEXAS AS THE HEAT INDEX HAS REACHED ABOVE 108 DEGREES YESTERDAY AND IS EXPECTED TO REACH ABOVE 108 AGAIN TODAY. THESE SAME CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED FRIDAY.
AUSTIN-BRAZORIA-BRAZOS-BURLESON-CHAMBERS-COLORADO-FORT BEND-GALVESTON-GRIMES-HARRIS-HOUSTON-JACKSON-LIBERTY-MADISON-MATAGORDA-MONTGOMERY-POLK-SAN JACINTO-TRINITY-WALKER-WALLER-WASHINGTON-WHARTON-INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ALVIN...ANAHUAC...ANGLETON...BAY CITY...BELLVILLE...BRENHAM...BROOKSHIRE...BRYAN...CALDWELL...CLEVELAND...COLDSPRING...COLLEGE STATION...COLUMBUS...CONROE...CORRIGAN...CROCKETT...DAYTON...EAGLE LAKE...EDNA...EL CAMPO...FREEPORT...FRIENDSWOOD...GALVESTON...GROVETON...HEMPSTEAD...HOUSTON...HUMBLE...HUNTSVILLE...KATY...LAKE JACKSON...LAKE SOMERVILLE...LEAGUE CITY...LIBERTY...LIVINGSTON...MADISONVILLE...MISSOURI CITY...MONT BELVIEU...NAVASOTA...ONALASKA...PALACIOS...PASADENA...PEARLAND...PIERCE...PRAIRIE VIEW...RICHMOND...ROSENBERG...SEALY...SHEPHERD...SUGAR LAND...TEXAS CITY...THE WOODLANDS...TOMBALL...TRINITY...WEIMAR...WHARTON...WILLIS...WINNIE322 AM CDT THU JUN 25 2009
...HEAT ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT FRIDAY...
THE HEAT ADVISORY IS NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT FRIDAY.
A HEAT ADVISORY IS ISSUED WHEN TWO CONSECUTIVE DAYS OF A HEAT INDEX OF 108 OR ABOVE IS EXPECTED. THE HEAT INDEX MUST FALL...OR BE FORECAST TO FALL...BELOW 105 DEGREES BEFORE THE ADVISORY IS CANCELLED.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY

Let's do hot or caliente, pronounced cah-lee-EHN-tay. It sure is caliente today!!!

Keep the kids cool and indoors, educated and entertained with our award winning video Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco, Volume 1, order 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
Want to get on the Internet no matter where you are but don't want to spend $60 per month on a wireless device? Make your PDA (smartphone a wireless device for only $30 per month). I just called Verizon and they talked me through it. It took some finagling (maybe because of Vista) but the bottom line is that it is working now!!! And my connection does not disconnect when someone calls me!

Have a safe day everyone!

Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman