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Clouds are works of art, even if just made of water vapor. I have seen several, however, that make me look up and wonder: What in the world (or out-of-this-world?) caused this particular shape to form?

I have a picture of one of three of the best clouds I've ever seen. I took the picture somewhere between Minnesota and Florida, although I cannot remember exactly where. The clouds had been breaking up after a storm, and in one place the cloud formed the shape of a cross. I don't mean an "X", I mean a Christian-type cross - the type on which Jesus of Nazareth is believed to have been crucified. The sunshine around it gave it a golden glow. Let it rest at that. I won't go deeper on this one.

Another I've seen more than once: The cloud forms the shape of a dove of peace. I've never seen one like it which had the olive branch in the form, however. This type of cloud formation seems quite common, much more so than the cross I saw.

But one I saw in May of 2006 really blew me away. And it really makes me think, as it should anyone.

We had broken clouds for part of the day. In the afternoon, it started getting dark. It wasn't evening, it was about 4:30 or so. It's getting much too dark for a simple rain. I look out and see what is a slowly rotating cloud. Looks like a tornado is forming. And there is not much cover out here in farm country. The houses are rather exposed to the weather.

But as I watch the slowly rotating cloud, I see something else. Another cloud is forming right below it. It's forming the shape of a hand. An outstretched hand, palm up, seems to be taking shape right under the potential funnel. Even if I had a camera available at the time, it would have been too dark to get the proper picture. The hand remained for a few minutes, right under the rotating cloud. The rotation of that cloud stopped and it became part of a thunderhead above, disappearing into that cloud. And the hand remain for a couple of more minutes, until it too was swallowed up by the thunderhead, which then passed harmlessly to the east. No rain, just a little wind. But certainly strange.

Was the hand the hand of God, stopping the funnel? Or was it just a cloud? Which ever it was, it certainly goes down in my book as the most unusual cloud shape I've ever seen. I'll accept it as a sign from God. Take it for what you want. But this really ought to tell you that watching the clouds is fascinating. You never really know what you will see.

Learn more about this author, C. Buckett.
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