Hurricane season starts next Thursday and I don’t know if we’re quite ready for it this year.
Sure, the last few weeks have been packed with rain and it’s all but dried up now.
That doesn’t mean we’re exactly out of the woods for the incoming months either.
After all hurricane season lasts until Thursday, Nov. 30 and that’s a long time to accurately predict any weather patterns this early out in the season.
But, according to weather experts, we’re looking at a relatively calm hurricane season this year.
I mean, I’m skeptical and not holding my breath, but, if it pans out then I’m excited for a reprieve from the last handful of active years we’ve endured.
Sure, with less rain and moisture then we’ll probably see a decrease in the mosquito problem – so maybe that can count as a bit of a silver lining.
I can definitely say that those winged leeches were out and in attack formations last Friday during Tidehaven High School’s class of 2023 graduation ceremony.
I’m pretty sure I spent more time swatting at the evil insects than taking candid photos of the students.
My only saving grace was Tidehaven’s Head Baseball Coach Eddie Russell’s wife – Lauren Russell - grabbing a can of mosquito spray and sharing it with me while we sat on the track together.
If you haven’t tried to spray your legs and arms with bug spray and not get your camera covered with overspray, let me tell you!
It’s definitely a task for those with more advanced hand-eye coordination than me.
However, I made the most of it by spraying closer to my skin and using my hands to rub and spread the spray around as much and fast as possible.
I didn’t want to miss any more chances at capturing those senior memory moments!
I also took a bit of dark satisfaction in managing to catch a mosquito as it just landed on my leg and sprayed it to death.
I may have also made a few notable ‘pew-pew’ sounds under my breath whilst I did it.
Or, at least I hope no one else heard me – if Lauren did, she didn’t comment and I thanked her for the flying-leech relief accordingly.
Then I was in a hurry to get back into photography position and tried to wipe off most of the spray residue on my denim shorts.
There just wasn’t enough time to handle it any other way!
All in all, the “less active” hurricane season also makes me a little worried about the possibility of facing any drought conditions this summer, too.
Drought conditions are always worrisome for our area since the wingdings controlling the release of water from upstream always seem to cut our area short.
But, hey, I get it – they want to enjoy their happy little vacations lakeside and what do we need all that extra water for?
There are just some priorities that I’m becoming sure that I’ll never understand.
Either way, I’m thankful for bug spray and good people in the world regardless of how this year’s hurricane season turns out.
