I've always loved that quiet time of the night and morning in West Texas, usually about 3-5 a.m. I guess you could call it early morning if you want, but that is early, early morning. Especially during the hot months, I think it's the best part of our "day". There is something tranquil and crystalline about the way everything appears. At that time there's seldom anyone on the streets or even dogs barking. This morning even the crickets or locusts or whatever else that chirps was quiet. I think maybe those hours mean something to me because that's when my dad used to wake me up to go fishing, but I'd also like to think it's something more. You know when you go to Vegas and you can literally feel the energy in the air? A West Texas morning has the energy and promise of a new day in it.

This morning I got the rare double-treat. I stepped out and started admiring the morning and before I knew it-West Texas thunderstorms. A lot of you guys take 'em for granted, but just wait until you have a relative from somewhere else visit; they'll tell you that we get a bad-ass light show here. I like to call 'em "wrath of God" storms. When one hits close by it's like the sky and space are literally splitting apart as if we were in a giant egg. I got about five minutes of this before I got over to Southwest Lubbock where we had a good ole fashioned "turtle-floatin'" storm. In no time at all we had four feet of water from the curb into the street over on 82nd. We also got hit with some decent hail so you might want to check your cars hood.

Anyways, I'm usually an instigator and I must admit quiet frequently an assh@le. I just thought I'd take a moment and let everyone know through all the b.s. that I really love it here.

-Wes/