Wow, Tornado damage.

I drove around yesterday and saw the damage from the tornado. WOW. All along the path there were trees that were tossed, uprooted, broken, and stripped of leaves and branches.

I only took the one photo out of my car window to show you (sorry it lacks composition)....
Know that there was nobody around when I took this one.... Otherwise I didn't show my camera or slow down while I drove by other than to nod in shared awe to the people on the street.... I didn't feel right gawking and left the area pretty quickly.... It is quite shocking to see damage so extensive so close to home and spread for such a distance (this tree suffered minor damage compared with most. It was amazing to see how the tornado hopped over one house and ate one tree while leaving the other next to it standing -- with only a few shingles or bit of siding were ripped from the most houses along the storms path.

A few places had major damage as I mentioned previously, but all in all our community was VERY lucky everyone survived without injury. Those who were rendered homeless are being taken care of -- it is wonderful to see the community pull together!! A big shout out to the Red Cross -- they were there for all in need. We have tornadoes quite often in this state, but the thing that shocks me on this one was the complete "out of nowhere" aspect. Nothing on radar. No warnings (sirens went off after the fact). It makes me grateful....

I feel so bad for all who live in the paths of hurricanes. I can't imagine hunkering down for hours waiting for the damage to hit... or fleeing to higher ground. My prayers are with you! May the rest of the season be mild for you!! Be safe!

Tornado? No way....

(Thanks for the photo wiki!)

Tornado? I just didn't believe it. I live in the Midwest and have experienced PLENTY of incidents of tornado weather. We were not experiencing tornado weather.... we had steady rain all day and into the night. We noticed a few flashes of lightening; our power went out briefly -- just a flicker really. There was no wind.... at least not at our house.

Just over one mile away the tornado hit.

The roof was ripped off one building only to be dropped upon another building. Cars were tossed and property were ruined. Trees were downed. Luckily, nobody was injured or killed.

I had heard the tornado sirens and sent the family to the basement (a treat for the kids since it was past bed time). I looked online but didn't see anything on radar (yeah, I must fancy myself as a part time meteorologist in addition to my soccer mom skills). I looked outside (I know, you are thinking I'm brilliant to risk opening the front door to a raging tornado) and I thought,

"Huh, wonder if someone accidentally set off the sirens.... there is nothing going on out here...." I walked out on the front porch and looked around.

There was no wind and the rain had actually stopped.

I decided the sirens must be due to a civil emergency. Perhaps a chemical spill due to a train jumping a track? Maybe an industrial accident a few miles away? I shut the door to avoid poisonous fumes (now you know I'm a rocket scientist, do you not?)

Then I decided perhaps there was an escaped mental patient or homicidal killer on the loose.

I locked the doors.

I then called the non emergency police number and was told by a frantic dispatcher that there WAS a tornado sighted in the area -- "Take cover." She hadn't said hello; she hadn't let me speak. She then hung up on me. Wow, I thought. She must be getting a lot of calls! (I'm betting she would not have hung up on someone who called 911, at least I hope not!)

I called my dad and my sister and told them to take cover -- neither had heard the sirens. It wasn't until this morning that I realized I didn't call my brother (who actually lives 2 blocks closer to the tough down site than I do!). Oops.... sorry Bro.... Dad probably called him... yeah that's it....

::::::please look away breifly as the guilt of not calling him consumes me:::::::

When I was a kid and in Brownies. I did actually see a tornado. We had to stop our arts and crafts and take cover.... on the way to a more secure area I looked out window of the school door. I looked across the playground and open fields and saw the massive gray spinning destruction. I heard the freight train noise too. I thought it was pretty cool. Yeah, when you are a kid you just don't think about who could be hurt or killed, you just think, "WOW, that looks cool!"

I'm glad nobody was hurt then or now. I'm taking note... weather is unpredictable and your safety can be in jeopardy quicker than you want to know.... I will heed the sirens and go to my basement instead of the front porch..... We are so used to the signs (massive wind, green sky, hale)... sometimes there are no warnings.

But, next time we will use the imposed basement time for cleaning vs. playing chess.... my basement has become the proverbial "pit of despair." What is it about an unfinished basement that makes clutter multiply?

Also, Wonder Boy beat me in that chess game. Boy that kid is smart!

I'll follow the sun...

At least look at the pictures -- there is nothing like a pink sunset!

On my work trip I was lucky enough to see the lake again. I don't usually ever see it with the big iceburgs.... I almost had to hum the musical themes from The Titanic as I gazed upon the water... The temperature was almost 50 degrees and you would have thought it was summer with all of the walkers who were taking in the scene. I love it that the locals appreciate their gem of a beach!
The sunset was spectacular. ...
I put on my winter coat and gloves and watched it for an hour. I had a book with me, but I didn't read it. How could I look away?
The pink moments brought tears to my eyes. How lucky I was that my one night here I could have the gift of the best sunset ever! Those are not boats in the water they are icebergs. The other interesting thing is that the water shines pink and the blue beyond that shine is pure ice.

I was awed at that pink and how it etched each cloud. They hung there and glowed....
And they glowed.The color took my breath away.


Yesterday morning I stopped back on my way out of town. More ice breaking apart. Then I realized it... I could not hear the waves! Here I stood looking upon the vast frozen water and there was no noise. You could hear gulls and some cars sometimes from the road... but the lake was silent.
It was nearly 60 degrees and more ice was breaking apart. The quiet filled the air and I was grateful. How lucky I was that I had the water to bring me peace. How lucky we are that we are only fighting a flu in this home right now. How lucky we are to have scrambled and survived this long after Hubby's paychecks stopped rolling in. How lucky we are to have the tiny checks from his job we thought would be temporary. Yes the debt is crushing, but we will hold on. Spring will come. Ice melts. Waves return. The lake will sing again.

Sunny Day & The Flu

I'm so excited -- the yellow ball in the sky returned!!! It had been such a long time. I was so happy to see my friend and the blue sky the other day that I actually cleaned out my car to celebrate. This energized me so much that I went home during my lunch hour and cleaned off the kitchen table, the counter, and a cabinet out! My house has become way too cluttered during this winter doldrum of work, school, pain, and flu. Anyway, I happy to see my friend the sun -- it has been 3 days straight that I've had sightings!

I think my personal Easter season fog was getting to me as of late. I associate the loss of my Mom with the Easter season more than the actual date on the calendar when I lost her. She always loved the Easter season so I'm hoping to grow out of dreading it as the years pass. Her favorite mass was the Easter Vigil mass because you got all these brand new Catholics shining their lights bright to energize us all. What a cool perspective on such a long mass :-)

I lost her just as that mass would have been starting that Saturday night. I can't believe it has been three years. I think it will be a long time before I can attend that particular mass. I'm working my way back into the church... I have been disenchanted with the changes over the past year in my diocese. I don't like changes that distance the parishioners from the mass. I also have to admit I'm really struggling with the additional kneeling time required now that lay people. I loved when our local parish had more lay people involved with the mass. I think they did it respectfully and with reverence. I am insulted the Cardinal thought otherwise and it has made attending mass more of a chore than I want it to be.

I don't know about anyone else, but the gray days have been enough to freeze me in my tracks -- all I wanted to do was hibernate. I think my flu is finally somewhat in check. I still fear food, but have found that the Propel "fitness water" by Gatorade has re hydrated me) without the ill affects I was getting from water! How the heck could this have started Sunday and stayed with me ALL WEEK? I'm fine if I don't eat or drink.

I saw a wonderful sunset last night. I will post pictures tonight or tomorrow. It is family game night so I may not have time.... That and who knows who will get the flu next? It is mean and sudden this flu -- lots of house cleaning results.

I saw it!

I can't believe it! The sun came out -- seriously! Above is my evidence! Ah the bliss! I hope it comes back soon! Wedding tonight.... my nephew is the ring bearer and is too cute for words. I love when he hugs my knees.....

Snow Day

The thing I love about a snowy day is that wonderful peace that seems to settle in as white covers all. The blemishes of everyday life are covered in a white wrapping that soothes the soul to look at. I am grateful for my warm snug home and the gift of enjoying snow without feeling the cold. I am grateful for the moments of peace and comfort. I listen to the sounds of snow blowers and snow shovels scraping clear the sidewalks and driveways. I see the snow tracing the outline of each tree branch. The wind rattles my 90 year old windows. The wavy glass distorts my view of the street. I listen to my children play. My husband sleeps. I am at peace. The hectic pace of life stands still and I don't worry about what is left to be done. I enjoy the whitewashed world and snuggle into my blanket as I sit on the couch.

All is well.
Time for naps.
What are you looking at ma?

Death Storm

We had some severe thunderstorms around here with a few possible tornadoes. You would have thought it was the Armageddon if you watched the local media. I had to wonder, was it the fancy technology they got to show off? Was it a slow news day? There was an insane amount of coverage for the storms. I'm glad there were no serious injuries. I had more property damage from Monday's drenching, so I'm not all that freaked out about some downed wire or trees. People... let us have some perspective!

Thursday night we went for take out and witnessed some amazing lightening. The clouds were black and I was overly dramatic and called them "death clouds." It was a joke. We laughed. I think the local media must have bugged our car and used my lines last night. The difference is that I was drying to be funny and these people were supposed to be journalists.

Ah well.... at least we are fortunate enough to have the gift of perspective. Doesn't anyone besides me like a good storm? I love a nice storm at night.... early evening is best. Sometimes it is wonderful how the rain can cool off oppressive summer heat.

The sky is back to blue today.. I am happy as I prepare my plans for the start of school. My mentor teacher is putting me in charge of 3 of the 5 classes -- pray for me! I'm doing the speech, she is doing the English. Eventually I will do it all. I'm glad I'm not starting with them all. Hopefully I can come up with a good ice breaker. I am to make my syllabus, class policies, and have 2 weeks of plans together for Monday. Wish me luck!

Hubby is looking into being a paraprofessional! I had been checking out the school district postings and suggested it to him. I'm thinking it would be nice for him to be on a school schedule while bringing home a paycheck. Why not? He is good with kids and can be very patient. The pay is better than he'd get working retail entry level jobs. We shall see.....