We're Okay! And Very, Very, VERY Lucky

Maybe you heard about the storms around Beaver Crossing?


We lost one tree (see left), a lot of branches and limbs, and my cousins' pasture has a lot of insulation from the new building at the old Abel place (see right). That is the extent of our damage. And the electricity was out for twenty four hours, along with the power for everyone else on the south side of the interstate (although not everyone has power again yet). Oh! Plus, the roof of one of my great uncle's sheds ended up in the front lawn over on the other side of the road. But that's all.

We are so very, very, VERY lucky.

Everyone around the section has much worse damage. Some lost buildings, some lost roofs, and most of the pivots are mangled. The storm actually blew the wheels off. A lot of trees are severely damaged or just plain gone. (It looks like at least one of those sheds took out part of a shelter belt.) Power lines are down everywhere. And when I say down, what I mean is chunks of poles are missing, poles are splintered into bits, and some remind me of Lincoln Logs freshly dumped out of the bucket.

Beaver Crossing will never be the same. Ever. There's just no way, because so much has been altered or destroyed.

For someone who grew up in this area, it's really, really, REALLY sad.

Easter Gardening Attempt 1: Storm Interruption

Happy Easter! While the girls nap (it was a very busy day between church, donuts after church, egg hunting at my parents' house, and eating primarily candy for lunch), I thought I'd get a head start on working at the new house. But I only got to work an hour or so before I was forced to take a break, which included going home to check the weather on TV and picking up everyone for supper.



First, look at these plants!

This is why I haven't spent much time in the iris bed yet. When I get such good plant feedback on the work I've done, I can't help but keep going in the same space.


Second, I know I've caused a lot of invertebrates to relocate with all of this gardening, but now I've caused a rabbit to move, too.

There's a hole under these husks that was full of fur and strands of grass. I covered the hole with a pile of husks and some of the fur, but I'm pretty sure this mama rabbit is going to make herself a new den now. No babies inside - I did check. It's not a great hiding place, anyway, considering it's proximity to the back/front door and the garage.

 This, though, is the highlight of the afternoon. See what I watched move in as I worked on the driveway flower bed?

Facing south while raking, I could see the storm gradually move in. And I could feel the wind shift, pick up, and cool down. Seriously, it was amazing. A little freaky and intense (especially being alone), but very amazing.