clouds

I am a cloud watcher from way back. Since childhood, I’ve been  fascinated by shapes, textures, color—the art of the sky. For the past three  years, I have been amazed, entertained and comforted by my membership  in the Cloud Appreciation Society. Founded by Gavin Pretor-Pinney, a  meteorologist in the United Kingdom, in 2005, the membership in the  society has grown to over 400,000 people the world over who send in  photos of clouds in their area. I hope to travel to Australia sometime, just  to see the clouds. 

When you join, at a paltry price of about $32 when pounds are converted,  you get a couple of cloud identification disks, a Cloud Appreciation  Society pin, and a certificate that makes you an official member. You also  get what I think is the biggest joy every day—an email with a Cloud-of-the Day, and an explanation or poem about that cloud. They are beautiful  emails, along with an occasional newsletter to teach you more about cloud  phenomena. It is the best $32 I spend every year. 

The organization (which is not non-profit) donates 5% of all proceeds to a  cause they choose every year. They also send free Cloud Appreciation  packs to schools or homeschools that want to educate students about  clouds. 

To join, Click Here. You can read about the organization/business and visit the store.