Thursday, July 24, 2008

A crazy day.............

If you've been reading blogs that belong to folks in the Northeast, you know that we are receiving an entire "rainy season" worth of rain in just a few days. Two inches an hour at times and now it has no place to go there is so much of it. The day started out gray and showery but it's been that way all week so it looked rather normal. Not long after chores the TV weatherman issued a tornado warning - yep, a TORNADO warning in Maine - we never have tornadoes! We went about our usual routine, getting drenched every time we went out the door. The only thing we accomplished was creating a mountain of wet laundry.
At 1 p.m. the weatherman said two tornadoes had touched down to the west of us. Fallen trees, down utility poles and wires, demolished homes and one person dead. It's just terrible. This line of extremely severe thunderstorms was heading straight for us. We did not have a tornado preparedness plan......we do now. We just never thought of it. With the mountains all around us, it didn't seem to be an issue.

The wind picked up tremendously and the rain whipped through here but it was a fast moving storm, and thankfully it moved just north of us so the damage was minimal. It continues to rain and a tornado watch is posted until 7 p.m. as their is another line of severe storms headed our way.

We have never had such extreme weather as we are this year. Severe thunderstorms rolled through here last friday. Two young people were struck by lightening at the same time six miles from here. Lightening striking people is so rare - you just done think. It was so tragic.




Mixed sunflowers


The rain is such a mixed blessing. The gardens are thriving but too much more and things will start to rot. I try not to worry or complain. I know there are so many areas that desperately need the moisture. The sunflowers remind me that the sun will return at some point! I planted several packages and have many different varieties growing in my veggie garden. I absolutely love sunflowers. I also love gladiolas and have many of those planted as well. They are getting ready to blossom and I will have both brightening up my house soon.


"Pepe"

This is my Mom's little dog, Pepe. Isn't she just the cutest little thing?! Mom spent the afternoon with us, riding out the storms. Both she and Pepe dislike thunderstorms and we all feel better when we are together.

Stay safe.......

6 comments:

threecollie said...

Oh, Deb, it sounds as if it is worse there than here. We have had folks hit by lightning at one of the fairs last week, but no tornadoes. I hope you get some better weather soon!

Nancy K. said...

I'm glad to hear that you haven't suffered any actual damage! I live in a high frequency tornado area. We have tornado warnings almost every time it storms. I was terrified of them as a child and young adult but after years of never actually having one touch down anywhere near me, I've grown complacent. It's GOOD to have a plan! And I think it's wonderful that your Mom rides out the storms with you.

;-)

Deb said...

threecollie,
I'm not sure if it was worse - you have taken your share of miserable weather. We are all in the same boat unfortunately. No haying going on here either. It's dry today -hope it is for you as well.

nancy,
Thankfully you've never had one touch down nearby - we were scared for sure. We have a plan in place now. With the extreme weather, you just never know what's coming. We are only about 40 miles from the coast and we do deal with the occasional hurricaine but nothing like a tornado. Your right - being prepared is a good thing :)

Throwback at Trapper Creek said...

The garden looks great, but those clouds look ominous... I hope you guys get some relief soon, summer is going sooo fast. I must be getting old or something.

Farmers have too much work to try to get done in the "summer" months, without the weather woes you have been having. Sending good thought your way.

Carolyn said...

Just stopped by for a visit. I wanted to say Hi and nice Blog.

Pepe is so cute!

Carolyn

Deb said...

nita,
your right, summer is going fast, and I'm feeling like you - not sure it's old or just older. The workload keeps increasing but I don't seem to be keeping up lastely :( Thanks for the good thoughts - hope you get some necessary weather as well. I like threecollie's idea - sending each other the weather we need :)

Carolyn,
Thanks for stopping by and for your nice comments. Hope you stop by again.