Ready to rumble. Contender arrives

She’s smiling. So are the rest of us.
(Horowitz/Flickr/Commons.wikimedia.org)

Enthusiasm runs high in anticipation.

The proud long-limbed beauties are signaling Round One .

Flipping wild blown locks like combat swords as they pose and preen (They know the audience loves it.)

Giving notice: “Git reeeeady to rrrrrumble!”

Please. A knock out.(US PD: by US Marine Corps.Lopez/Commons.wikimedia.org)

A boxing match of Epic Proportions. (That’s what they always say.)

The energetic, but seasonally young, upstart blowing in trying to provoke something. (Everyone knows time is on his side.)

The blustering Local Champ has grown heavier but is still able to pull a sea of warm support from his coterie established over the sultry summer. (A blowhard some dare to say.)

In any case it will be a punching match with blows, groans, and a few thunderous crashes.

Long limbed beauties whipping up enthusiasm. ©

Nothing beats the rattling of palm trees announcing the arrival of a chilled north wind and the inevitable confrontation by the warm Gulf air. A manic symphony of clicking and clacking as the palms slash the sky.

This morning won’t be the so-bright-it-must-be-Oz kind that quickly escorts out clouds and rain.

Not this early in the season.

The days preceding with extreme heat and humidity (Is that a threat to the locals by the hot air that’s been holding court all summer? Don’t change allegiance – or else? Hurricane season isn’t quite over.)

Then storms until one claims the title. Bout over.

But for now, it’s whiplash weather.

Most people just stay inside while the two sort the weather out.

(That’s the real reason broadcast football games were invented?)

You can’t see it here, but these clouds were actually swirling overhead trying to form a tornado funnel cloud Friday. Don’t worry, the green haze was missing. ©

There’s always those who can’t wait for the winner to claim the match.

Some are willing to take in the rehearsals. The connoisseurs of works-in-progress.

Some have demanding dogs (and can no longer bear the smell of Resolve in the morning)

And some are just darn tired of being held hostage indoors. (Please, box up the summer.)

Falling for the preview,

Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge.

And this was the day before as the Gulf champ bristled at the suggestion that Fall would take the match. ©