“The sun, the moon and the stars would have disappeared long ago … had they happened to be within the reach of predatory human hands.”
~ Havelock Ellis, “The Dance of Life,” 1923

November weather can be unpredictable; while bits of summer hang on, winter tries to get established. There’s no denying these days have been beautiful. Can we slow down and appreciate this time? Pumpkins have seemingly been forgotten having been quickly rolled off porches by eager snowmen and reindeer. Thanksgiving has yet to be celebrated. A scarecrow and several pumpkins still remain on our porch to guard against “early holiday arrival.” It is hard to believe we once waited until the second week in December to decorate for Christmas!

Back in the 1960s – before the 210 was the direct route into Pasadena – driving from La Crescenta took you along Foothill Boulevard through La Cañada then onto the Foothill Freeway, which bridged the Arroyo Seco. While crossing, there was a perfect view of lake-like Devil’s Gate Dam Reservoir. Many years, wildfires and heavy rainstorms later, the area was transformed. It filled with rich silt, organic materials and ash washed out of the canyons. Now a woodland-like environment, it is a lush array of native and non-native plants and trees; it is also home to an abundance of wildlife. Devil’s Gate Reservoir/debris basin –now called Hahamonga Watershed Park – is a beautiful place to walk or swim (a leashed golden Retriever was spotted doing so). But there is trouble in paradise. L.A. County plans to clean out the area. They have waited too long (50 years?) and now a unique and thriving eco-system is established. To prevent deadly and devastating flooding, I know it needs to happen; history dictates droughts end and heavy rains return. But what about the animals?

It has been a hot week! I considered handing out water at our polling location as temperatures reached 91 degrees. With the election now over, hopefully things will cool down; I know weather-wise the temperatures are expected to drop five to eight degrees come the weekend. Even with a sea breeze, it is still above normal. Clear skies prevail…

I voted for rain. The results are still undecided, but there is a prediction of a front moving in Tuesday or Wednesday of next week; it may carry a chance of precipitation. A cool refreshing rainstorm is what we need, although not everyone likes to get wet!

Sue Kilpatrick is a
Crescenta Valley resident and
Official Skywarn Spotter for the
National Weather Service. Reach her at  suelkilpatrick@gmail.com.