[Momma's Kids]

Well, we sho nuff want need to push this ole swing today...the wind is blowing hard enough to keep it moving. I guess ole Mr Wind is blowing in a storm or two. Ya see some people just plain scared of a storm...not me...there's a reason for those storms. Oh, I know they do damage and cost people more than should be indured, but looking on the bright side, they have their function in life.

When a place gets all dusty, musty and moldy the only way to make it good again is to clean it...that's what a storm does...cleans the top of the good earth to make it fresh again. That ain't the reason I like a good storm though. I like all that lightning, and thundering and the pouring rain comin down so hard it feels like little pebbles if you stand in it for one good reason.

It reminds me that I'm alive, that no matter what life is throwing at me...I'm still here! I might not like the situation and it might be mighty hard going, but I guess it beats a dirt nap and pushing up weeds anyday. Those ole storms will clean ya soul if ya just let them...like just give into the beauty of the storm and appreciate it for what it is. The wind blowing really hard can show you what needs fixing...yep, that roof got a shingle or two loose will blow right off. That can save you a bundle if fixed sooner rather than later in a hurricane, water pooling in ya yard can show ya what needs to be fixed so ya don't have a flooding problem...storms come for a reason.

We all go through storms in our life, some are easy, don't last long, some seem to never end. Storms teach us things about ourselves, others and life in general. We just need to learn to listen instead of worrying about what we can't do nuthin about. Yep, just look at those trees swaying and bending, branches going high then low, turning this way and that...look like they're dancing to a silent band. Soon the music will start with the first distant clap of thunder, and then all the inanimate becomes alive with the flashes of light and darkness. Ain't no better show if ya got a good seat.

Yep, storms come for a reason...and when they're gone, we appreciate the stillness once more and breathe a deep fresh breath of air that wasnt quite there before.

Now who wants what today? Got all sorts of goodies and fixins...might even make a little o that shine Moose likes ...

[kicker]

I'm gonna sit here in the quiet with you awhile, if we got to go in, hope there's some cornbread. It's a good day for some of that special apple juice (wink, wink).

[MooseasaurusRex]

Momma, why you teasin' me? Moose gotta stay away from the corn squeezings. I'll take a little to clean the carbuerator on that pick-em-up truck, though.

I like storms too. Not my boys, though. But, just gives me a chance to pull them closer to me.

It's sunny and windy here now. Big gusts keep coming through. Probably yank the wind chimes clean off the house. They say it's gonna get cold later. My hip says it'll be here sooner than they think.

[CayoKay]

Originally Posted by Momma's Kids

I guess it beats a dirt nap and pushing up weeds anyday.

amen, Momma!

[karousel]

I'm commin up on the porch to sit a spell. That breeze sure feels good -- nothing like a good storm! I'll have a bit of that special apple juice.

[DM]

Not me, Momma! Your lil Princess don't like those storms. I just shivver and shake till they're over.
Hot cocoa, Momma's lap and a good story always makes me feel better though.


Thanks for helping me to realize the real message of your story, Momma. You always come through for us.

[karousel]

Passing a nice warm blanket to daisymay to snuggle in until the storms pass.

[braingonebad]

I think I'll pass on the goodies today, but thanks just the same. Well, maybe hot cocoa, now that you mention it. Mmmmm....

[CayoKay]

could some kind soul fetch me a footstool?

I need to put my feet up.

and a cushion would be nice... this porch swing wood is makin' mah butt ache.

now, onto storm tales... bein' a Californy girl, I'm used to earthquakes and fires, had the lingo down pat, and the preparation drills all done.

but I never seen NUFFIN' like this massive THING approaching my tiny adopted country of Belize.

DEAN was my very FIRST hurricane, up close and personal-like.


here comes DEAN!

we skittered about like oil in a hot cast iron skillet last August... first we secured all our animals and brought the babies indoors, then we put up storm shutters, felled a few trees that were too close to the house, and cleared the yard of anything that might go airborne.

we watched as DEAN slammed through the Caribbean, and we waited and waited... as Dean grew and grew - Cat 3, Cat 4, Cat 5 !!

DEAN only dropped a massive load of rain on us, and touched us with brief high winds, and minor flooding... but the area to the north of us was hit HARD, with 200 million in damages to the papaya crops and homes in northern Belize and Mexico.

Momma, it shore 'nuff was scary as heck, with its 175 mph winds, and 905 mbar pressure. . .

what I learned:

1. that we can sleep ten people at my house, in hurricane safety.

2. that neighbors all helped each other to get ready.

3. that I've a deep respect for Mother Nature and her hissy fits.

[FinLady]

Momma, thank you so much for your insights. Storms come and go all the time, and sometimes they bring a rainbow at the end.

Hmm, hot chocolate. Perfect now that the temps have dropped again. Yum!