Beautiful Toxic Clouds in the Sky of South Florida

"The sky, at sunset, looked like a carnivorous flower..." Roberto Bolaño.

No, it is not the name of a movie. It is what happens here in South Florida. The recent pink sunsets that we are experiencing are the result of an annual summer phenomenon - African Dust. What is African Dust you might ask? As the name suggests, "dust" is defined as dry powder consisting of tiny particles of earth or waste matter lying on the ground or on surfaces or carried in the air. Africa - lions, zebras, elephants, monkeys, Animal Planet, "Madagascar" movies? That's what comes into your mind when you think of Africa? Right? African Dust is creating these beautiful pink sunsets. These microbes traveling all the way across the Atlantic are producing these climate effects. One day you are walking to your car in six inches of water because it hasn't stopped raining all day, the next day tumbleweeds are rolling down the streets because the day is bone dry. People with respiratory problems are also affected. Asthma attacks are on the rise. Coral reefs, plants, animals from the region are also affected. In a recent University of Florida study, African Dust "clouds" can actually fertilize the water off the Florida coast with iron. The irony in all of this, as the title suggests, is that these beautiful pink clouds that offer breathtaking sunset landscapes are also,literally, taking people's breath away! And eating our coral reefs, killing our fauna, and affecting our climate.
What does all of this have to do with umbrellas?!? How often are you cleaning your umbrellas? These same particles that are invading our environment are also affecting your furniture. Protect your investment!

"You must not blame me if I do talk to the clouds." Henry David Thoreau

Regards, Under One Umbrella