Weather forecasting is, we all know, very important, especially in those regions which are most often subject to dangerous storms and floods. An article in today’s Post talks about the shortage of 500 or so meteorologists at the National Weather Service in locations such as the Louisiana Coast and parts of Alaska. This is the result of the Trump firing of hundreds of employees at the agency and of hundreds of retirements and resignations as a result of the Trump threats.

They are now scrambling for replacements. I have an idea. I think that they need to look outside the box at people with no necessary government experience, but with experience in judging upcoming weather events. I think they should hire people like Judi Barret. Judi Barret, an 84 year old woman, has time on her hands, I am sure, and would love to help out. She lives in Brooklyn (she was born in Brooklyn as well) and I am sure would like to in a more consistent climate, such as that found in Louisiana or in Alaska.

What, you ask, is her particular experience that would make her a good hire for the National Weather Service? Well, I am glad you asked. Judi Barret is the author of the famed book Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.

Now, I know what you are saying. You are saying that meatballs never fall in either of those locations and that Judy Barret would not be qualified to accept employment. But now, let me tell you a secret.

I have a friend who is a meteorologist and worked for the federal government for his entire career. He is now retired (he retired prior to the Trump drama), and I have asked him questions about how about how forecasts are really made. I have asked him this question because sometimes forecasts do seem a bit inaccurate,  as you would have to admit.

He explained to me all of the equipment that meteorologists use to try to determine how the weather will behave. He explained it to me step by step. I don’t remember most of the steps, but I sort of remember part, but not all, of the final step. It involved something about opening a window.

In addition to Judi, by the way, I think that the government should consider me for a position as a weather forecaster. Again, you ask why. It’s because of one of my most consistent character traits. I am (you can Edith, if you do not believe me) a fair weather fan. And, as a fair weather fan, I would tend to forecast fair weather, which is something that we all can use, especially those of us who live in places like Louisiana and Alaska.

There are reasons for this. One is that almost everyone would rather have fair weather than foul weather. Foul weather, they say, may be good for chickens and ducks, turkeys, and geese, but not for people. And, besides that, when we have foul weather, we wind up with weather related damage, which needs to be repaired. And (in case you haven’t been reading the papers), we no longer seem to have an operating Federal Emergency Management Agency, so we are no longer in a position to repair weather related damage. Therefore, fair weather is essential and fair weather fan meteorologists are the best way to get fair weather.

I will end this with a quote from the lady sitting near me here in this room. She says “I don’t think this is your best blog”. She will sorry when I tell her that we are moving to Alaska. After all, be it ever so humble, there’s no place like Nome.