I suppose it could technically be called a surprise.....but it definitely wasn't tidings of great joy.
In order to fully comprehend this, we should turn the calendar back a few days to December 10th, when Tennessee (and other states) was having a night of severe storms and tornadoes.
Just before dawn on Saturday the 11th, there was a severe storm and tornado warning for my area. There was nothing I could do but stay in bed, watching the lights blink on and off, and listening to the screaming wind.
The house shook and trembled, and the horrifying sounds outside catapulted me into a panic mode. I thought the roof was going to blow off.
The next day I reluctantly went out front to look for damage. My roof was still intact and everything seemed to be all right. About a dozen far away trees had toppled, but they weren't on my property.
I went back inside, counted my blessings (which are pathetically few), and forgot about the storm. Lately, I've been feeling so rotten - physically and mentally - that I haven't felt like doing anything. I just stayed in the house for the next few days.
It wasn't until Wednesday the 15th that I ventured outside again. The weather had turned unseasonably mild, so I went out on the back porch.
I was so stunned at what I saw that at first it didn't fully register in my muddled brain.
The forest is right near the house and a cluster of extremely tall trees is only a few feet away from my bedroom. Every time there are strong winds, I fear that the trees will crash onto the house and pulverize me.
Well....
drum roll is inserted here for dramatic effect
numerous trees did topple down (I don't know how many) and some of them landed inches (yes INCHES) from my house and back porch!
I was a fraction away from being annihilated.
Since my pathetic life was spared, I suppose it could be called a Christmas miracle.
But I personally think God saved me solely because he enjoys slowly torturing me. Killing me quickly wouldn't be any fun.
I awkwardly started moving the debris away from the house by hand. Fortunately, I have a new chainsaw which will come in handy. It should only take me about a decade (or two) to clear everything out. By then I'll be in my early 100s.
I took a few quick photos (from the back porch) to document the event, but they don't really convey the devastation.
A gap in the forest where the trees came down,
about thirty feet from the house....
Some of the rubble near the house ( I cleared a lot of it away before the photos were taken)
I wonder if there was a quick tornado touchdown that broke some of those trees off, and how you could tell if it was. Thank goodness of them came down on your house or car. Take care while doing your new lumber jack duties.
ReplyDeleteThere was rotation, but I don't think there was a touchdown. Unfortunately it really pulverized some of those tall trees that I love. It's going to be a lot of work trying to clean up the mess.
DeleteShould read...Thank goodness none of them came down on your house or car.
ReplyDeleteThis one eyed vision is starting to get on my nerves, but slowly healing.
I'm so sorry about your eyes, but it's encouraging to know they are healing.
DeleteI was very fortunate that the trees didn't hit the house - things could have been a lot worse.
Now that is getting to close for comfort. And how we still see peeks of your sense of humor is beyond me. I fear you staying there is not a good thing. I wished you lived closer to your cousin. If something happened out there how would anyone know?
ReplyDeleteI love those tall trees, but every time it's windy I worried that they'd fall on the house. I'm amazed (and relieved!!) that they missed the house by a few inches!
DeleteI always worry about living out here alone. Being isolated is definitely not a good idea.
YIKES! Winds do FAR more damage than perople realize they do! I do not know what is worse - the horrid winds or the floods from constant rain. Neither is a good thing.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you are ok!
Fortunately I live on a hill, so flooding isn't a problem (so far....). I always felt that the surrounding forest helped shelter me from the wind - but these recent winds were horrific. And those very tall trees near the house always unnerved me when it was windy.
DeleteWhaaaat? I'm more than a little stunned. All I can think is, Mr. God still has a purpose for you; He won't let you fall. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteI was more than a little stunned, too. Somewhere among the chaos I think I have a guardian angel.
DeleteYour mother.
DeleteAlthough I hardly ever comment, I look for and read all your blogs. I'm thankful that you are safe. I think of you often and I worry that you are there alone. (Except for the kitties). Please try to take care of yourself, and remember- us out here in "blogland" (even though I'm no blogger, I'm a reader) think of you and worry about you. Stay safe.. Love, your Tennessee neighbor.
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate that,Louise. It's comforting to know there are good people like yourself who care. Thanks!
DeleteThat was not a surprise, Jon, but more like a nightmare after seeing how close those fallen trees were to your home. Living in a rural area alone is not without dangers from Mother Nature but it seems you did have a guardian angel looking out for you. I am sure that other fellow bloggers like myself are also glad of that.
ReplyDeleteI was truly shocked when I saw how close to the house the fallen trees were. They really were only inches away. Things could have been worse.
DeleteI'm dreading the job of cleaning them up...
So lucky they didn't hit your house! Will be a lot of work to move them away.
ReplyDeleteRita, I don't know how I'll ever be able to clean that mess up. I wish I had a fireplace - I'd be able to make good use of the wood...
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