Middle of March and Maddness

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Hello, Friends.

March is a wild month. The winds blow trees awake. Here in Indiana, spring is blasting! This week we saw crocus and daffodils bloom and trees bud. We also saw wintery mix and freezing temperatures. Spring storms are expected and often exciting. 

Wild Weather and AI

The Weather Channel is a great place to learn about local and national weather. The United States has wide range of weather. Here is Copilot AI generated article. The prompt was "an article on severe weather in the United States including the varieties of spring weather as well as defensive action to take". How accurate is AI? Is there enough information generated? Find your words!

**Severe Weather in the United States: Understanding Spring's Fury and Staying Safe**

The United States experiences a wide range of severe weather events, particularly during spring, when the clash of warm and cold air masses creates volatile atmospheric conditions. From tornadoes to thunderstorms, hailstorms, and flash floods, spring weather can be both awe-inspiring and dangerous. Here's a closer look at the varieties of spring weather and the defensive actions you can take to stay safe.

Varieties of Spring Weather

1. Tornadoes: Spring marks the peak of tornado season, especially in regions like Tornado Alley, which spans parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska. Tornadoes are violent rotating columns of air that can cause widespread destruction.
2. Thunderstorms: These storms are common in spring, bringing heavy rain, lightning, and strong winds. Severe thunderstorms can also produce hail and tornadoes.
3. Hailstorms: Hailstones, which can range from pea-sized to as large as baseballs, often accompany severe thunderstorms. They can damage property, vehicles, and crops.
4. Flash Floods: Intense rainfall over a short period can lead to flash flooding, especially in low-lying areas or regions with poor drainage.
5. Temperature Swings: Spring is a transitional season, so rapid changes in temperature are common. Warm, sunny days can quickly give way to cold fronts and storms.

Defensive Actions to Take

1. Stay Informed: Monitor weather forecasts and alerts through reliable sources like the National Weather Service (NWS) or a NOAA Weather Radio. Pay attention to watches (conditions are favorable for severe weather) and warnings (severe weather is imminent or occurring).
2. Identify Safe Spaces: Know the safest areas in your home or workplace. For tornadoes, this is typically a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor, away from windows.
3. Prepare an Emergency Kit: Include essentials like water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, batteries, a first-aid kit, and important documents. Don't forget items like blankets and portable phone chargers.
4. Protect Against Flying Debris: During storms, use helmets, pillows, or thick blankets to shield yourself from debris. Stay away from windows and exterior walls.
5. Avoid Floodwaters: Never attempt to walk or drive through flooded areas. Just six inches of moving water can knock you off your feet, and a foot of water can sweep away a vehicle.
6. Have Multiple Alert Systems: Tornado sirens are designed for outdoor warnings, so ensure you have other alert systems like smartphone notifications or weather apps to stay informed indoors.
7. Plan Ahead: Discuss emergency plans with your family or coworkers. Practice drills for tornadoes or other severe weather scenarios to ensure everyone knows what to do.

Spring weather in the United States is as diverse as it is unpredictable. By understanding the risks and taking proactive measures, you can protect yourself and your loved ones from the dangers of severe weather. Stay vigilant, stay prepared, and stay safe!

I ran this through the word count generator and made this word cloud. What words in the story stand out to you? Do you know all the words?

March Dates and Fun and Foolishness:

The Old Farmer's Almanac is our go to for All American this year. What is the skinny on St. Patrick? Check it out! (and while you are there browse about for gardening-even though it's too early, for the most part).

March Madness is on. This is the tournament for men's basketball. Make your bracket! Don't worry if you know nothing about the teams. You never know who will win! Often the underdog wins the day!

International Friends Meeting Notes

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International Friends American English and Culture classes continue into the spring. We are wrapping up our study of individual professional language with an adaptation of the "I'm From.." poem. You can try it out on our Handouts page (International Friends: 2024-2025 Notes and Handouts). These types of exercises help us to express our lives and skills beyond dry facts. From here we are going to turn outward with how we interact in the workplace (which can include just being out and about) in the United States. We are going to view a Linked in Learning course on civility as a springboard for our conversations. These short video lessons have discuss civility and creating a personal brand.

International Bible Study: Monday, 8-9:00 PM, Zoom

We could not stop reading this past Monday! The story of family reunions are always interesting. In this case, Joseph has the chance to play with his brothers who wronged him. We were intrigued by how he decided to handle his brothers as his dreams that tore them apart came true. We read Genesis 44-46. The Israelites are invited by Pharoah to move to Egypt. The settle in Canaan

March 17: We will continue the story with Genesis 47. The famine is raging and the people are running out of money. This story explains how tragedy can lead to enslavement.

American English and Culture

We looked at ourselves and the words and phrases we need to express ourselves, we looked at our career and professions and the words and phrases we need to express our work and experience. We are moving into looking at how to communicate outside of ourselves and look at other people and how to communicate. To begin, we are using a LinkedIn Learning video class on Civil Language.

American English and Culture: Thursday, 9-11:00 AM, Zoom

We met and had a great discussion that covered interests and ranges. We watched introduction to the LinkedIn Learning course on civil language. 

March 20: Moving forward! Complete your professional I'm From.... and email it to Carolyn. 

American English and Culture: Thursday, 7-8:00 PM, CLC, Carmel, room 102

We enjoyed corned beef and cabbage and talked about St. Patrick's Day American traditions. 

March 13: Bring your professional "I'm From..." project. We have done work with resumes that tell the facts. This exercise helps tell about the feel of your career work. Remember, a career does not always mean knowledge, skills, and abilities used for pay. 

American English for Kids: Thursday, 6:00-6:30 PM EST, private Zoom

Our Kid's Conversation had a great conversation about catching a leprechaun. They talked about traps and tricks to entice a leprechaun and based on the ability of the traps to catch quail, they extrapolated which traps would be most successful. We are continuing to develop our conversation skills and find that it is hard to keep a conversation going when the pressure is on.

March 7: Tell us how your Leprechaun traps worked and how your tennis matches went.

Words and Phrases

entice: lure

extrapolate: predict an outcome based on known facts and trends

for the most part: primarily; usually

for pay: employed

go to: main or favorite source

how something worked: was something successful

the skinny: a to the point discussion or informational article

when the pressure is on: