Saturday, March 16, 2013

A mackerel sky and burning calories

Bellingham morning's mackerel sky
I saw these cool clouds on my way to the coffee shop last week, after two wonderful days of full sun. And then... the rain returned. I looked up the meaning of these clouds and found that they are called "mackerel skies" because they look a bit like the markings of an adult king mackerel. These altocumulus clouds are also known as "buttermilk skies," which I would prefer if I didn't live around all these fishermen in Bellingham. Here's some information from the above link:
Moisture at lower levels combined with surface temperature instability can lead to rainshowers or thunderstorms should the rising moist air reach this layer (around 8,000-20,000 feet).
We have had pretty constant rain since I saw those clouds, except for a short break on Thursday when we were hiking. It continued to rain most of the day yesterday (Friday), and all night long. I wasn't at all sure whether I would go on the Fairhaven walk this morning, but I woke to find the rain had abated. I joined thirty other walkers for our morning trek, and I used the MotionX-GPS app on my iPhone to track it. My sister introduced me to this app, which tells me how far, how fast, and even gives me the ability to get a track of our walk.
The blue line shows our start and finish, and also told me we walked a brisk 4.2-mph pace for just under five miles. We enjoyed a nice time together afterwards, having coffee at the coffee shop where we started out. That has culminated in three days of getting quite a bit of exercise for me, with Thursday's hike, Friday's workout class plus the aqua Boot Camp, and today's brisk walk. I wobbled out of the Y yesterday feeling like a limp noodle but recovered quickly. This morning's walk gave me another opportunity to enjoy chocolate without feeling guilty.

Tomorrow my friend Judy and I will head to the Mt. Baker Theater to see a repertory theater, Stephen Sondheim's "Company." It is the last day for the show, which is held in the small in-the-round Walton Theater, rather than the larger venue available for bigger events. I've enjoyed shows there before. It should be fun. The website has this to say about the show:
Honest and witty, Company is a sophisticated look at modern relationships. The brilliant energetic score contains many of Stephen Sondheim's best-known songs, including “You Could Drive a Person Crazy,” “Side by Side by Side,” and “Being Alive.”
Sounds like just the thing to celebrate St. Patrick's Day! I'll be wearing green.
:-)

22 comments:

  1. 30 walkers! huge group!

    really neat clouds. since i've neither seen a mackerel or churned buttermilk, i'll just have to take their word for it. :)

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  2. I like the names for the clouds. I've just always known them to announce upcoming weather. ;)

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  3. ah cool....enjoy the show...i enjoy the ones in a round as well...pretty cool sky as well...did not know that was the name of the clouds...the route for the walk looks pretty cool...some waterfront views...

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  4. Love those mackerel clouds! I went to a play last week-end with my children. It was a fun afternoon.

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  5. Jan,I've just read something you might find interesting. 'Flipboard' is advertising they can support your Google Reader Feeds. Here's the web address.
    http://t.co/8H9JJQg0yQ

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  6. Beautiful cloud photo. Aren't all the modern gadget wonderful.
    Time to start your garden.

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  7. I like all things weather.Clouds tell an awful lot about weather.
    So does this app tell you how many calories you burn? I have one that gives the steps, distance and calories. You have to do an awful lot to burn off calories so it tells you eat less and you win both ways.

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  8. Beautiful, beautiful clouds. And I would be very surprised if you ever need to feel guilty about a little (or a lot of) chocolate. Your activity puts me to shame.
    I hope the play is wonderful. You know we will want a review don't you?

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  9. Loved learning about those clouds...interesting...and beautiful!!
    Hugs and smiles,
    Jackie

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  10. Sounds like a wonderful way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day! I actually went out and bought something green yesterday.

    There was a book I read to my class called The Cloud Book by Tomie D. Paola. I think he called those clouds Mare's tails. I like the idea of mackerels too.

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  11. That GPS sounds really sharp! Your sister really introduced you to a lot of things recently. I like sisters like that, don't you?

    Interesting about the Mackerel Sky/clouds. And.....very beautiful!!!

    Happy St. Patty's Day DJan

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  12. That MotionX-GPS sounds great. But I think it's only for the iPhone5? (unfortunately we still have the 4) But isn't technology wonderful? Thanks for the info.

    And I hope you enjoy "Company"! Have a great St. Patrick's Day!

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  13. Stunning skies! Thanks for the mention of the app,too. I'm going to get this one. Happy St Pat's Day!

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  14. I'm impressed -- 4.2 mph is a pretty good clip, esp. for so large a group. Were you trying to beat the next rain shower?!?

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  15. Those clouds are amazing! I don't think I have ever seen something like that. Interesting app! What will they think of next!

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  16. Spectacular skies, and named so perfectly.
    The app sounds so useful, especially to your hiker group !
    ~Jo

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  17. Your mph ratge for that distance is very impressive! We saw the theatrical production long ago of Side By side By Sondheim, which was a revue of his music. It was wonderful.

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  18. My boss won't take me for hikes if the temps are below 32 degress, there is any snow or ice on the paths,or he has awoken on the wrong side of the bed. It's been months since and he is looking guilty these days especially aftrer he reads your blog DJ. Maybe....
    Baron

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  19. Those pretty skies! I didn't know they were called 'mackerel skies'. Now I'll be looking out for them over here. I would be no good at calculating walking distances or calories. I'm much too much of a dreamer. I just amble along, smelling the roses sort of thing. Hopeless, totally hopeless, but happy! LOL

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  20. Way cool clouds! I always wondered what they were called..Thanks! :)

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  21. That is a really pretty mackerel sky. I've never heard it called buttermilk before but it does fit.
    It sounds like you had a great weekend DJan, it was very windy over our way.

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  22. Dear DJan, I've been waiting for some warmer weather to begin walking again. It used to be a daily habit for me--for many years--to walk in the Stillwater cemetery in Minnesota. But since getting Meniere's back in 2006, I've pretty much stopped my regular walking.

    This year, however, I hope to begin anew, probably with just 10 minutes a day and then work up to perhaps 30-45 minutes as the months pass. I so need to exercise this aging body!

    And I so continue to admire the way you exercise and get your body lithe and flexible. Peace.

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