Monday, October 11, 2010

An Ill Wind

The island was feeling the effects of another norte all last week. These are storms, more prevalent in the winter months, that come directly out of the northeast. They usually bring rain and cold winds.

The one that passed over us last week was a bit strange. No rain, but lots of strong, strong winds. Especially experienced by those of us on the open side of the island, directly facing the Caribbean.

The beach directly across from my house was seriously affected by the surging, relentlessly pounding waves.




For months this summer it had turned into a pretty little sandy beach. In fact, it was on this beach that turtles came on an almost nightly basis to lay their eggs. Now it is mostly exposed bedrock again.




In the middle of this picture you can see a rock outcropping. I have called this Crocodile Rock for years. It resembles a giant crocodile about to slide into the water. It is very rarely that the water even touches this rock. Last week, it was completed covered over by each approaching wave.




But, alas, the beaches were not the only thing affected by this ill wind. Turn around from the water and look at my house. (the two toned brown one on the left)




Here's what I wanted you to see. It is where the electricty from the main wire feeds into my house. I know, I know, primitive at best but I did not design the electrical system in Mexico.



This metal pole normally stands upright against the house. Of course, with years of salt erosion, it was rusted beyond belief. All it took was those days of strong winds to snap it off at the base and send it gyrating in dangerous circles.


It has now been very effectively replaced with PVC piping and is anchored to the house. One nice side effect....I now have an unobstructed view out the living room window!
I also took a little video of the wind induced wave action. Of course, this was taken once the winds had subsided a bit. I would never expose the lens of my camera to the amount of salt spray that was being produced during the worst of it.



One final piece of business, if you have this far. I sort of quit smoking last week. One week ago today as a matter of fact. That's why there were no posts last week. I was hardly in a mood to be nice! B is quitting also. But...in order to keep from killing each other, we had to change up the plan a bit. We had gone cold turkey for 58 hours and it just wasn't working. We have now launched a quit plan that has us each smoking only 4 cigarettes per day. From there we are going to reduce it to 3,2,1, ZERO! So far that plan is working. Keep your fingers crossed for us!

21 comments:

Ann said...

Wayne--that's great! Quitting smoking is one of the hardest things to do--I've watched my husband do it several times! Good luck! And great shots as always!

Calypso said...

Great News - on the smoking thing. I can imagine how tough it must be. Maybe Blogging will be a good diversion ;-)

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the non-smoking front....!

Chantix worked like a charm for me, if you feel you need something extra.

O Robert

Linda Dorton said...

It was cold in Mérida but we don't feel the winds like you do. Wow what a great location you have! I bet you get some wind there!

It's not over quite yet, as there is a TS brewing off Honduras/Nicaragua again...threatening to head your direction. We could use the rain here but what a surprise to see that cold weather so early in Oct!

Cold turkey? You nuts? I wish you every success with the reduction plan, however and give you both a lot of credit for quitting.

Jane said...

That's what I suspected was going on. Glad you didn't kill each other :-) Good luck !

Life's a Beach! said...

Fingers and toes crossed! Hope it works!

Steve Cotton said...

That should make you smoke-free in time for the conference. Good luck. See you soon.

Jackie said...

I am thankful that the norte last week didn't bring the usual cold front and rain. My niece and her friend had great weather other than the one dy we were at Sergios' and got sand blasted even sitting up near the palapa.

Good luck on the non-smoking front.

KfromMichigan said...

If your mind is set to quit, you will. I quit cold turkey about 20 years ago. Your lungs will feel so much better!

Linda said...

That method of countdown by reducing the number of cigs is very often successful!!!

Good luck to both of you!!!

Linda
IC

Anonymous said...

Good luck with your "quit smoking" plan. I imagine it's difficult to change any long term or ingrained habit, but am confident that you will both be successful.

Congratulations in advance.

Happy knitting.
BJ

Anonymous said...

I enjoy reading your blogs so much -- kinda like catching up with a good neighbor (so your absence was very much noticed last week)!!

Cudos to you on the non-smoking. Just keep on keeping on . . .

4,3,2,1 and out
Carol

Anonymous said...

I like the "count-down" plan.

Good luck to you both!

-Doug

drgeo said...

I quit smoking in 1986 --and still want one! Perhaps your behavior mod program could be smoking as much as you wish--but only while standing atop the crocodile rock! It took Nicorette chewing gum to help me stop, with a 6 month break while I was addicted to the gum! Bueno suerte!

BlueSky said...

Congrats on quiting smoking!!! You can do it!!! I will keep my fingers crossed for you! By the way, the beach still looks great!

Unknown said...

Great decision to reduce/throw away the smokes! It's not easy but can be done.

Lisa said...

I am so proud of you both for quitting.

In solidarity, I had my last one yesterday- couldn't very well give it up while traveling! D was planning on having a good bye to smoking day tomorrow but I think yesterday was his last day smoking too!!

Now we just have to decide what to do with all that money we'll be saving!!

Good luck, I hope you are both feeling well and that the quit process is as trouble free as possible!

Lisa said...

I am so proud of you both for quitting.

In solidarity, I had my last one yesterday- couldn't very well give it up while traveling! D was planning on having a good bye to smoking day tomorrow but I think yesterday was his last day smoking too!!

Now we just have to decide what to do with all that money we'll be saving!!

Good luck, I hope you are both feeling well and that the quit process is as trouble free as possible!

Matt Weatherbee said...

It looks like another storm is coming this way so be prepared. Those electrical wires look precarious!

ronnie said...

HERE COMES PAULA!!! BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES!!!

Jackie said...

You should read
The Devil's Highway : A True Story
by Luis Urrea and tell your waiter about the story. Is' a sad but often true story about crossing over illegally in to the USA.