Everyone is concerned about economy
My clients seem to take perverse pleasure in sending me to the hottest places at the hottest times of the year. So once again I found myself in Miami, Fla., last month, at the beginning of a long trek that would take me the length of Florida, through Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and finally back to Georgia.
Rather than fly from project to project, I decided to drive the entire trip once I got to Miami. I did this for two reasons. First it relieves the pressure of having to book flights in advance without knowing how long it will take to photograph each project. And secondly it gives me an opportunity to explore a part of the country I know very little about.
During my 2,400-mile journey, my only opportunity to really interact and connect with the locals was during meals. Rather than stopping at fast food restaurants, I would try to find local cafés and restaurants where I could sit at the counter and strike up a conversation. I found the people friendly and polite, and boy do they like to talk. I’ve never been addressed as “sir” so many times in my life.
The primary topic of almost every conversation was the economy. Gasoline prices were the biggest complaint, but people also complained about food prices and other necessities. Everyone had their favorite theory as to why gas prices were high. They ran the gamut from a conspiracy by the oil companies, speculators jacking up the prices to make money, to the world simply running out of oil. The people in the South, just like others around the country, are concerned about the future and the impact the failing economy will have on their lives.
While driving the highways I found that a lot more people were driving the speed limit, not only automobiles but also the big 18-wheelers. Last year, when I had to drive from Charleston, S.C. to Miami along Highway 95, it seemed the average speed was 80 mph. This year, along the same highway, very few people were driving that fast, and the whole drive was much calmer and less frantic. That could be a good consequence of the higher oil prices.
Of course the weather was hot and humid. Average daytime temperatures during my trip ran between 90 and 95 degrees. But I have to say that certainly made dressing each morning a lot easier, knowing I would only need a T-shirt, shorts and sandals for the day.
The most spectacular part of the trip was the afternoon thunderstorms, something we don’t see very often in Anacortes. Each day would start out sunny and cloudless. But starting around 10 a.m. thunderheads would begin building along the horizon.
By two o’clock the sky would be mostly cloudy, and a little later you would see the lighting bolts and hear the thunder. There were times when all I could do was sit and watch as the storm rolled by overhead. Sometimes the thunder and lighting would be almost simultaneous. Once the storm passed, the clouds would clear and it would be a beautiful evening.
So imagine my surprise when I returned home just in time to witness our own lightning storm. Only our version lasted over a period of two days rather than a couple of hours in the late afternoon.
According to the National Weather Service, our storm produced the most lightning strikes of any storm in Western Washington since 1999. The storm started Wednesday afternoon, and by 5 a.m. Thursday morning 2,500 lightning strikes had been recorded.
The CoCoRaHS web (http://www.cocorahs.org) site had many comments about the storm. My favorite was “Yesterday I experienced one of the loudest thunderclaps I’ve ever heard. A woman across the parking lot from where I was literally jumped into the arms of her companion when she heard the noise!”
Here in Skagit County, the storm continued through Thursday afternoon. Many people in our area reported strikes hitting the ground, but there was no reported damage that I’m aware of.
June summary
Cloudy and cool weather continued to rule our weather patterns last month. Virtually all of the rainfall for the month fell in the first two weeks. Although the sun finally showed itself during the last part of the month, I only counted nine sunny days, four below normal. Summer finally arrived on the 28th and 29th with high temperatures of 82 and 83 degrees.
VINCE STREANO Weather or Not
This article has been viewed 126 times
Discuss This Story
Previous Story• The Soldiers Project aims to help war veterans |
Next Story• Keeping library books: It's a crime |
More Local News
Top Jobs
EXP. AUTO TECH ASE cert. Foreign & Domestic. Busy shop. Fax resume: 360-755-0318 or call 360-661-7261…
MYSTERY SHOPPER'S Earn up to $150 per day, undercover shopper's needed to judge retail and dining establishments.…
LABORER POSITIONS Available. TOP PAY. Must have some construction exp. Wages DOE. Drug-free workplace.…
JANITOR needed for Fri. and/or Sunday. Call 360-428-5858
Dominos Pizza Drivers Wanted. Get cash every shift. 18 or older. Apply in person 1600 E. College Way.…
Retail LaConner Shirts. Life is good. Fri/Sat/Sun, 10-6 dneedham@cnw.com 360-466-5101
Mount Vernon ATTENTION: Skagit Valley Herald newspaper carriers wanted: MOUNT VERNON The Skagit Valley…
CAREGIVERS NEEDED! PT NAC/NAR with current CPR and First Aid. Mental health and dementia training a plus.…
RIVERSIDE LANES Now hiring Janitorial Front Desk. Must be available some weekends, 24-30 hrs. per wk.…
Receptionist for oral and maxillofacial surgery office. Close team work. Approx. 40 hr wk. Exp. preferred.…
Yacht Detailers needed. Fiberglass repair, buffing, waxing and detailing. Please call: 360-631-7127
Electricians wanted. Commercial journeyman & exp. apprentices. Seattle & Burlington area. Fax resume…
The Olive Garden Italian Restaurant is now hiring SERVERS Apply between 2-4pm Mon. - Fri. for open interviews,…
2 GOLF CART POSITIONS at Eaglemont Golf Course. Apply in person at the - Pro-Shop, 4127 Eaglemont Dr.,…
PROPERTY MANAGER Oversight of private estate in San Juans. BA & 8+ yrs. property mgt. exp. req'd or equivalent…
LA CONNER RETIREMENT INN is seeking full time dependable CAREGIVERS to assist our residents with medication…
WAREHOUSE CLERK F/T position, 40 hours per week, weekdays 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, with some variance possible.…
Grade Hop with construction staking and GPS exp for earthwork/utility contractor doing work in Snohomish,…
EXP. HVAC Apprentice Full benefit package, wage DOE. Call to apply - Right Way Plumbing, Heating, AC,…
WANTED!!!! We are growing & building a new store. If you are high energy, excitable & want to join a…
Mount Vernon ATTENTION: Skagit Valley Herald newspaper carriers wanted: MOUNT VERNON The Skagit Valley…
BOOKEEPER Full charge, experience with G/L, payroll, inventory, man- ufacturing. Email resume to: info@padgettcpa.com…
Exp. Dump Truck Driver Wage DOE, full benefit pkg. avail. (360) 293-1266
LATITUDE MARINE SERVICES, LLC LA CONNER ALUMINUM - Welders - Fabricators - Weld/Fab Supervisors -General…
SERVER/ KITCHEN HELP PT. Apply in person at Cap Sante Court Retirement, 1111 32nd St, Anacortes 293-8088…
P/T DELIVERY Flexible hrs. 3 days a wk + Sat. Must have valid driver's lic. Contact Rob at Sherwin-Williams.…
Exp'd. Plasterer/ Lathe/ Stucco worker. Pay $18-$30 DOE. Call (360)223-2327.
SALES EXPERIENCE A MUST, AUTO SALES A PLUS! We need 2 motivated enthusiastic individuals. Opportunity…
OPTICIAN/ MANAGER Exc. career opportunity. Manage newly remodeled dispensary for busy ophthalmology practice…
Weatherization & Repair Technician F/T, 8-5:30 Mon-Thurs. Great Benefits. Work as part of team using…
The Skagit Valley Herald is now hiring for: OUTSIDE ADVERTISING SALES Join our dynamic Outside Sales…
Full Time Yard Person at local lumber yard. Come in person to get an application at 815 Roosevelt Ave.…
SERVICE DRIVER/ BUNDLE HAULER Part-Time Part-time Service Driver/ Bundle Driver needed. 20+ hours a week.…
This FT warehousing position has excellent growth opportunities. Ag/4H/FFA background and interest in…
Medical office in Anacortes has two positions open. F/T CLERICAL position requires computer skills and…
IDEAL POSITION FOR OUTGOING FNP Fun office, great staff - we're growing! Rewarding full scope practice…
TABLE GAMES DEALERS Exc. benefits, for more info visit www.swinomishcasino.com & click on Employment.…
Ranch Hand/ Kennel Assistant: Feeding, cleaning, entertaining dogs, cats, horses & customers. 422-7644…
Certified Nurses Aides Burton Care Center is a small, home-like facility where we all work together to…
Exp. Chemical Professional with current license. Full-time, long term, IOP. Great wage and benefits.…
F/T EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Exec. Sec. to company Boards. Evening meetings, $18-$20/hr. DOE with benefits…
Looking for someone with POWDERCOATING experience. Will train the right person. 360-428-0413
MYSTERY SHOPPER'S Earn up to $150 per day, undercover shopper's needed to judge retail and dining establishments.…
LABORER POSITIONS Available. TOP PAY. Must have some construction exp. Wages DOE. Drug-free workplace.…
JANITOR needed for Fri. and/or Sunday. Call 360-428-5858
Dominos Pizza Drivers Wanted. Get cash every shift. 18 or older. Apply in person 1600 E. College Way.…
Retail LaConner Shirts. Life is good. Fri/Sat/Sun, 10-6 dneedham@cnw.com 360-466-5101
Mount Vernon ATTENTION: Skagit Valley Herald newspaper carriers wanted: MOUNT VERNON The Skagit Valley…
CAREGIVERS NEEDED! PT NAC/NAR with current CPR and First Aid. Mental health and dementia training a plus.…
RIVERSIDE LANES Now hiring Janitorial Front Desk. Must be available some weekends, 24-30 hrs. per wk.…
Receptionist for oral and maxillofacial surgery office. Close team work. Approx. 40 hr wk. Exp. preferred.…
Yacht Detailers needed. Fiberglass repair, buffing, waxing and detailing. Please call: 360-631-7127
Electricians wanted. Commercial journeyman & exp. apprentices. Seattle & Burlington area. Fax resume…
The Olive Garden Italian Restaurant is now hiring SERVERS Apply between 2-4pm Mon. - Fri. for open interviews,…
2 GOLF CART POSITIONS at Eaglemont Golf Course. Apply in person at the - Pro-Shop, 4127 Eaglemont Dr.,…
PROPERTY MANAGER Oversight of private estate in San Juans. BA & 8+ yrs. property mgt. exp. req'd or equivalent…
LA CONNER RETIREMENT INN is seeking full time dependable CAREGIVERS to assist our residents with medication…
WAREHOUSE CLERK F/T position, 40 hours per week, weekdays 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, with some variance possible.…
Grade Hop with construction staking and GPS exp for earthwork/utility contractor doing work in Snohomish,…
EXP. HVAC Apprentice Full benefit package, wage DOE. Call to apply - Right Way Plumbing, Heating, AC,…
WANTED!!!! We are growing & building a new store. If you are high energy, excitable & want to join a…
Mount Vernon ATTENTION: Skagit Valley Herald newspaper carriers wanted: MOUNT VERNON The Skagit Valley…
BOOKEEPER Full charge, experience with G/L, payroll, inventory, man- ufacturing. Email resume to: info@padgettcpa.com…
Exp. Dump Truck Driver Wage DOE, full benefit pkg. avail. (360) 293-1266
LATITUDE MARINE SERVICES, LLC LA CONNER ALUMINUM - Welders - Fabricators - Weld/Fab Supervisors -General…
SERVER/ KITCHEN HELP PT. Apply in person at Cap Sante Court Retirement, 1111 32nd St, Anacortes 293-8088…
P/T DELIVERY Flexible hrs. 3 days a wk + Sat. Must have valid driver's lic. Contact Rob at Sherwin-Williams.…
Exp'd. Plasterer/ Lathe/ Stucco worker. Pay $18-$30 DOE. Call (360)223-2327.
SALES EXPERIENCE A MUST, AUTO SALES A PLUS! We need 2 motivated enthusiastic individuals. Opportunity…
OPTICIAN/ MANAGER Exc. career opportunity. Manage newly remodeled dispensary for busy ophthalmology practice…
Weatherization & Repair Technician F/T, 8-5:30 Mon-Thurs. Great Benefits. Work as part of team using…
The Skagit Valley Herald is now hiring for: OUTSIDE ADVERTISING SALES Join our dynamic Outside Sales…
Full Time Yard Person at local lumber yard. Come in person to get an application at 815 Roosevelt Ave.…
SERVICE DRIVER/ BUNDLE HAULER Part-Time Part-time Service Driver/ Bundle Driver needed. 20+ hours a week.…
This FT warehousing position has excellent growth opportunities. Ag/4H/FFA background and interest in…
Medical office in Anacortes has two positions open. F/T CLERICAL position requires computer skills and…
IDEAL POSITION FOR OUTGOING FNP Fun office, great staff - we're growing! Rewarding full scope practice…
TABLE GAMES DEALERS Exc. benefits, for more info visit www.swinomishcasino.com & click on Employment.…
Ranch Hand/ Kennel Assistant: Feeding, cleaning, entertaining dogs, cats, horses & customers. 422-7644…
Certified Nurses Aides Burton Care Center is a small, home-like facility where we all work together to…
Exp. Chemical Professional with current license. Full-time, long term, IOP. Great wage and benefits.…
F/T EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Exec. Sec. to company Boards. Evening meetings, $18-$20/hr. DOE with benefits…
Looking for someone with POWDERCOATING experience. Will train the right person. 360-428-0413
