Elements Against Me ... lol

Just gathered all my stuff together - had decided to go and scout for some painting locations - cameras, sketch books plus checked all my art gear I keep in the car to make sure I had everything I could possibly need.

Changed into decent clothes' (remember how your mother always told you to wear knickers without holes when you went out in case you had an accident), put the dogs out the back and locked up.

All this time I hadn't bothered to look outside apart from a glance out the back-door where the sun was shining brightly.

Opened the front door to that eerie darkness and stillness that precedes a storm, stopped in my tracks and looked skyward in time to hear a loud clap of thunder!

Oops - might not be a good idea to go now.

Came inside and had a quick check at the BOM radar and there bearing down swiftly was a large storm cell the centre of which was black. That meant heavy rain, possible hail and I am not that stupid as to go out in that when there was no real need and the storm is on a direct path to me with no obvious signs that it would miss Blacktown.....lol.

So came back inside, let the dogs back in (they thought I was nuts, change back into my paint-spotted gear, turned on the music, made a coffee and listened to the thunder and the rain starting to fall!  The outside edge had just reached me.

Maybe I shall venture out tomorrow or Wed.

DIL rang me to say it had hit her house and there was 'buckets of ice' everywhere - she lives about 20min west of me so I am really glad I didn't go out.

Checked my email to find that my new favourite art shop is having a big sale, minimum of 15% off storewide; starts on the 22nd (my wedding anniversary) and goes to the (27th Mum and Dad's wedding anniversary and Mum's birthday ... so obviously an omen for me to go ...lol ).  I have sold a few paintings recently so I have some extra cash to splurge with.

Downloaded the sale catalogue ... mmm that was not a good idea.... there is just too much to choose from.  But there are a few things I need so it will be a perfect opportunity to buy them and maybe have a little browse, just in case mind you......rotfl.

Did note that they are selling books discounted too and, as there are 4 or 5 I have have my eye on, I will see if they are cheaper than the Bookdepository my favourite book seller for  Arty books (in UK) who post worldwide with free postage and delivery; really good considering their books are very cheap already.

Only have four more Karin Slaughter books to read (I had 10) so might have to take a trip to the local library to search out some new authors.  Friend told me about Lisa Jackson and a few others he said were good. I have already tried most so I may give her a try. Plus he said there is a new Kathy Reich's out ... woohoo.

STORM(s) UPDATE
Well that storm this afternoon was just a prelude - there have been several more and they are actually getting worse as they progress.  The fourth one has just finished and the fifth is very close.  The imagine shows the fifth one about to hit and the fourth one just past Parramatta.  There are more behind it.

It is just after 8.30pm here and the one that has just ripped through - strong wind, really heavy rain, hail and lots of lightening -  had one bolt hit the railway at the back of my house (about 20m) when I was outside trying to tie down a loose shade-sail and I could feel the tingle through my feet, my hair all standing on end....lol... hope they don't get any closer than that.

The Bureau has updated their severe thunderstorm warning ....lol.  Checked the BOM site and there is a line of storms stretching past Coonamble which is about 400kms away - looks like it is going to be a wet, noisy night.

Just hope I don't get one through like the one that did so much damage to my house a few years back.  Times like these it would be nice to have someone in the house with me instead of two scaredy-cat dogs ....  rotfl.  Normally I love thunderstorms, love watching them but this line of storms is really fierce and some of this lightening is just a bit too close for comfort.  My house is even shaking from some of the thunder claps, they seem right above me.

The picture is from my side yard of storm #5 - boy is this a horrid night!

My battery on the laptop is just about dead and there is no way I am plugging it in so - think I will go to bed and cuddle up with my favourite man - Fozzie... well, my only one....lol...Bella is hiding somewhere in the house so she won't be much comfort.

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