Saturday, March 31, 2012

Mother Nature: Before and After

 

IMG_8687

Thursday, March 29th, at about 8:30 pm

a storm, the likes I have never seen- , hit our area.

I learned something about myself that night that is pretty

indicative of my personality.


As my husband and I stood in the center

hallway of our house, I began to put on my shoes and a rain

jacket.

“What are you doing?”, my husband asked.


I said, “I am NOT going to be trapped under a house,

I am going to RUN out in this if I need to.”


And so after it finally subsided, and we were both safe,

and I didn’t have to do anything quite so crazy,

I looked out the next morning at what

Mother Nature had done.

IMG_8702

Nine trees were severely damaged.

One will take days to cut up and haul away.

IMG_8714

We have about six trees with huge , torn trunks and limbs.

IMG_8685
The twin to this wrought iron fence is bent under all of this.

IMG_8695

IMG_8698

IMG_8699

(Shattered glass from a patio table)


My tomato plants that looked like this,

IMG_8575


now look like this.

IMG_8691
I lost about 100 zinnias.

IMG_8690

This all on the heels of my yard looking so pretty

and even festive.


But there is a lesson here.

IMG_8709




      As my father visited this evening ,and we viewed the damage,

he said-

“You know Sis- when things have been whipped around hard,

they usually come back even better.”

***

23 comments:

Patty Marker said...

Oh, Laura! What a storm. Your poor garden...I love your father's outlook and I do have to agree with him 100%. Take you time cleaning up, you don't want to over do and hurt yourself. Patty

Bliss said...

Which one of the men told you it was a good thing you didn't run out in that storm to get hit by a tree? Think of all the firewood for bon fires. The new table and umbrella (I lost the same to the same one year) and it is still early enough to plant new tomato's. But there is only one you. And when they found you your hair would of been a mess.

~Bliss~

Debra@CommonGround said...

your daddy is a very wise man...so glad you're safe. xoxo

Olive said...

Thankful you are unscathed. Trees you can handle.

Brenda Pruitt said...

That's a smart man! I'm so sorry about the damage, Laura.
Brenda

Debby said...

I don't know where you live but we were under tornado warning at the same time. One touched down about 10 miles from us but no damage. Had the ones in the sky touched down we would have in trouble.
Your damage is really bad. Was it a tornado. I feel bad as you sounded so scared. I had the dog leach, a big blanket and was headed to the basement. I feel bad for the little ones having to be in tornado mode so much. Our granddaughters get realy scared.
So glad that you are okay.

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Laura - I am so sorry for all the damage. Just glad you and your family are safe. I have a very strong respect for storms after what has come thru my area the last couple of years.

Sonny G said...

We had a storm but not nearly the damage you got. I too always think of running outside versus being squished by the house:)

so sorry you got so much damage but as others said- its early yet and the plants and flowers can make a come back this year.

Thank the Lord for wise men like your Dad..

Mourning Dove Farm said...

So glad you did not run outside! I said, "Oh no!" when I saw your garden but I like what your dad said much more. I just love him!

Marguerite said...

Thank God you were not injured! Sorry about your trees and garden, but at least your beautiful home was not damaged. During storms, I usually get in the bathtub with a lot of pillows and pray! :)

Marigene said...

Thankfully you are okay even if your garden and trees don't look so well.

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

As someone who has weathered a few hurricanes, I know how scary it can be when trees start snapping all around your house. Not a fun thing to endure. So glad you all are OK.

Jojo said...

So sorry for your damage. This week I learned a bit about myself and it is a bit similar to what you describe. I was in DC this week for a conference and a little before 7 the alarms went off and the hotel evacuated us. There was a fire on the first floor. I grabbed my coat, purse and computer, which had to be packed up! Afterwards I asked myself what I was thinking. Honestly. Why my computer? Thankfully the fire was contained but I'm still thinking about my reaction.

Loren said...

Oh Laura... So glad you all are ok! A few years ago we had that horrible ice storm and we were without power for 10 days...We lost soooo many trees. It was insane being inside and listening to the tree limbs just popping off. It sounded like we were smack dab in the middle of a war zone! I can't imagine what it must have sounded like for you!

I have to agree with your daddy! He is sooo right!
p.s. Tomorrow my husband and I are going to try & make your strawberry cake as a test run ;) for Easter!
Thanks for sharing :)

Carrie @ Cottage Cozy said...

I hope indeed your fathers words are true....he is a wise man!

Sandy said...

You sure did have a storm.
So glad you and the house
survived it's fury!
I also have some very large
trees out back and am waiting
for them to fall one day..
scarey to say the least.
As for your planting bed,
they will come back if
you talk to them...
take care
Sandy

Blondie's Journal said...

I hope your father is right. I feel so bad for you losing the trees and your plants. I would have been heartbroken. Best wishes getting things back to normal.

XO,
Jane

deb said...

Gotta love your dad!!!

Theresa said...

Your Dad is so right! I am sorry your have all of that damage BUT I am sooooo happy that you all are OK:) BIG HUGS to all of you my friend!

From Beyond My Kitchen Window said...

Don't you just love your father to pieces. They always know what to say to make us feel better. So sorry about the loss of all your trees and gardens.

Holly @ Bella Nest said...

Hi, Laura. I'm so sorry about the mess the storm caused at your house, but am so glad you're safe! Your Dad is a wise man! You're very blessed!

Karen said...

I can just hear your dad now saying that. Bless his heart. He even makes me feel better all the way down here in Mexico.
Hugs,
Karen
Ladybug Creek

Life in the Enchanted Forest said...

Laura - I am so sorry for the damage your property suffered. Our property (My "Enchanted Forest") was hit by an EF-4 tornado last April, and we lost 350 huge trees, along with my Wish Garden that I'd worked two years to build. I lost all hope that our property would ever be even presentable again - after the clean-up took almost 6 months. But, with this Spring, I now know that your father is exactly right. The things that did survive are celebrating this new season in ways I never imagined, and things are actually more beautiful than ever (although no longer an "enchanted forest", it is still stirring my heart with its hope and optimism). I wish the same for you.

 

design + development by kelly christine studio