Afternoon Squall

View Across Frenchman's Bay From Mount Desert Island, After a Squall

Thomas Cole

1845

A squall came through this afternoon. I had just finished up some work in my garden when I noticed the bright blue sky and golden light had faded quickly to grey. Didn't seem like a big deal because I had heard it would get cloudy in the afternoon. But by the time I had gotten into my house, I needed to turn on lights, though it was only 3:00. I looked out the window at the sky and above the treetops I saw a huge black cloud that was rolled up and pushing against the atmosphere from SW to NE. It looked solid and aggressive - and scary. I heard thunder in the distance.

So I tucked myself in, settled, and decided to make my regular afternoon call to John. 

"Hello, hello?"
nothing
"Hello! Can you hear me?"
(distant)  "hello - hello - speak louder!"
"Are you ok?
(distant)  "yes, I'm out on the water. I'm towing a boat to Blue Hill. 
"WHAT!!? O-M-G!!"
(distant)  "I just went through a squall, but I'm ok."
" . . . jeezum, John. Call - me - when - you - get - in!"

The instant I put my phone down it started pouring rain, the wind began to whip, and thunder boomed right above the house. I ran to close each window and wipe down the sills. Then I wondered for half a second if I was more worried about John in the middle of Blue Hill Bay in a squall or my seedlings that I had just planted in my garden. In the second half of the second I knew it was John, of course, but I was mad that he put himself out there in this weather. Why . . . oh, whatever!

The squall lasted for fifteen minutes outside and as long inside my head. I was worried, and angry, and scared of the thunder and lightening, and I was home alone.

Then the phone rang.  The squall passed.  And everything was fine.