It was a truly remarkable day in my neighborhood this Sunday, as if the weather itself knew that NOAA 18 and 19 would send their final signals. We had our first summer storm since Friday in a typical central Florida pattern - sunshine and heat, followed by sudden clouds and patches of rain.

I love summer storms in Gainesville because they feel the same as summer storms on the island of Hvar in Croatia. As shown in these photos, one begins to walk down the street under perfect blue sky, and just thirty minutes later, the first innocent puffs of white clouds travel above, followed soon by their older, grayer and heavier companions. And then, for a brief moment, all the birds and cicadas are suddenly quiet, before the first sounds of thunder in the distance. Ancient oaks with their Spanish moss lace and tall pines among patiently wait for the first drops of rain.