Alabama Storm Damage

Here is a link to photos of the storm damage in Alabama in the two counties to my immediate east.  

I know, it's weird that I chose a Denver Post news link, but someone had it posted on Facebook and it was an easy link to copy.

Alabama Tornado Damage March 2, 2012

We had only hail at my home, and not much of that.  I have been told of extensive hail damage just a few miles away.  We were lucky once again.

But, not on the radar

Red and green and yellow are indeed my favorite colors.  

But, not here.

Today, March 2, 2012 is to be one of those days from Alabama to Illinois.  It has already started here.  The conditions are right for the pop up thunderstorms that can turn into destructive, long track deadly beasts that take lives and clear the landscape of all your worldly possessions.  It was first predicted that our area would have the potential later this afternoon through the evening and night.  However, it started around 9 a.m.

This particular storm passed just south of my county and into the immediate city to my east.  The path took it to some of the same areas that were devastated on April 27, 2011.  The initial unofficial reports so far are of some substantial damage to some homes.

These were taken from my front door earlier this morning.  

It is warm, very warm and the sun peeks out here and there.  As I understand it, the sun is not good as it only increases the temperature and makes things worse. I have always prided myself in not getting alarmed at the threat of bad weather, but Hubby just headed to the store for non-perishable food and water, and I have my bags packed with a few items that I don't want strewn over the countryside and my sturdy shoes worthy of walking in debris should I have to.  Where am I going?  We have a "storm room" in the basement with concrete walls and re-bar.   That's where we will head should the radar indicate it's headed this way.

I really want to move somewhere where there are no tornadoes, hurricanes, wild fires, landslides, earthquakes.

If you know of a place let me know.

Montana?  Maine?

Yes, it's vintage . . .

This barn is 50-100 yards outside my front door.  In fact, these photos were taken from my front porch.

You might recognize it in other photos I've posted on the other blog or on my sidebar here.

I like it.

My father and grandfather built it in the 1950s (or 40s?).  It is a nice barn with character, not in good shape, has some new wood holding up a corner, been used for high school senior casual photographs.  

Residents include barn kitties, gophers, and weasels.  Yes, weasels.

I need a spring photo with the buttercups that are blooming on the hill immediately behind it.  However, to get the flowers, I would need to get closer than the front porch, and today the wind was blowing so hard I was afraid a piece of roof tin would blow off and kill me.

So, maybe tomorrow.

Forest and the trees

A friend commented on my last post about this photo.  She is right that it is very hard to get a decent photo of a cardinal in the snow.  I was very fortunate that day.  My husband is learning that when I say "stop the car" I mean stop the car -- after making sure it is safe, of course.

It was taken on a dirt road near my home in a forest of pines during the wonderful snow we had in January 2011.  

I drove down that road this past week and was upset to find that they are clear-cutting that forest of pines.

I'm glad I have the photos.

Thanks, Kerry, for reminding me.