Whirlwinds

During the hot dry season we have huge whirlwinds that come barreling through our yard. Usually they occur from late morning to mid-afternoon. For some reason, a good number of them originate in our yard and then grow as they travel through the backyard to the street behind our house. You can see trash, leaves, and other things flying in the air when they pass by. We have found detergent boxes, chip bags, and even someone's pant leg that they had cut off in our yard! We have gotten really good at knowing the difference between wind and the beginning of a whirlwind. The kids shout, "TORMADO" and we all try to get windows and doors closed to keep the house a little clean. I just happened to snap these pictures on Monday when a whirlwind came through our yard from the front and exited the backyard. Yes, there were clothes on the line and no, none of them flew off. I could only imagine going to my neighbors to ask for our trousers and sheets if they did fly off of the line!