I remember first watching The Weather Channel in the 80s; I learned when to grow tomatoes, when will be the first frost, when to take shelter during a storm.  The forecasting was great.  The music was fantastic. Big beautiful looming map graphics with focused and energetic meterologists in front telling its viewers how to dress the kids on the way to school in the morning.  It was a great show.  And I beefed up on my geography along the way.

Now?

No doubt John Coleman’s dream died decades ago.

The Weather Channel morphed into a political fear-mongering global warming factory.  The channel became unwatchable.

Now that NBC Universal has bought it, they decided to lay off more than 80+ people including my favorite meterologist Dave Schwartz.  USA Today has reported that meteorologists Cheryl Lemke and Eboni Deon were also let go.

Click here to read the full story.

Cowboys on the Bolivar Peninsula, which was ravaged by Hurricane Ike, round up some of the thousands of head of cattle that are roaming loose in southeast Texas in the wake of the storm. Read about the round up.

We wish you safe passage.  Our thoughts and our prayers are with you and hope that you will be protected, that you will weather the storm in good stead and for those who have been temporarily displaced, may you return to find your hearth and home uncompromised, and above all, that you and your loved ones remain safe and sound.

Track Hurricane Ike here.

Hurricane Ike

Track Hurricane Ike here.

Track Gustav and Hanna here