If Red Sky in Morning means "Sailor take warning" - then what does a rainbow on the first of December morning mean?

I rolled out of bed on this fine Saturday at the crack of 8 - fired up and ready to get our monthly auction set up.  As I stumbled out to the kitchen for my first caffeine fix of the day, I was stunned to see an enormous rainbow that seemed to stretch from the neighbor's yard over my pasture, pasted against a slate grey sky.  This is highly unusual stuff for the Grande Ronde Valley on the first day of December.  I grabbed a camera and ran outside to get a picture, not even thinking to grab a coat.  Outside, further awe and amazement struck me when I realized it was NOT COLD!  In fact, a glance at the thermometer confirmed it to be a balmy 50 degrees!  Just a couple of days ago I battled freezing fog and icy roads.

As I snapped my pictures, it began to thunder - something one associates with hot air hitting cold air, etc., etc.  Then, suddenly, the heavens opened up and the rain poured down, erasing the beautiful rainbow.

I couldn't help but think about the whole Mayan prediction thing where the world is going to end before Christmas.  I've been poo-pooing the whole thing, but Eastern Oregon heating up in December is a little bit like you-know-where freezing over - unexpected.  I have a Mayan calendar and I can't see where it ends on the 22nd of December - OK, its a resin wall hanging I got in Mexico - but it's round and has a bunch of weird symbols on it.  Who knows where it starts or ends.  However, I consulted by friend Dr. Rudy Chandler - intellectual and trusted expert on all things environmental.  He told me that the Mayan prediction is not for the "end" of the world, but merely for change.  Then he told me about a bunch or world leaders dying - which might not be a bad thing in light of the current world economy.  It's always helpful to get a new point of view on a problem. 

I was happy to hear that because I have spent a bunch of money on Christmas presents and I would be pretty irritated if the world ended before I could give them out! 

So, good news!  The world isn't ending and there are rainbows in the mountains around Union, Oregon in December!  I guess I'll go set up an auction and hope that I see a lot of nice people today!

 

Don't forget to check our new online auction:  www.clark-auctions.com