Our spring has been so erratic -- sometimes very cold, occasionally warm. And now things are blooming big-time and it's looking lovely!
It wasn't so lovely at the cemetery when we went to plant geraniums for Memorial Day at my family's gravesite. As we rounded the corner to park in front of the site, we were confronted by a tree blocking the road and yellow tape. We parked nearby and walked over to the site -- or what you could see of it.
If this tree, which had fallen from across and down the road, had been a couple of feet closer, it may well have knocked down the granite marker. We could tell there would be no planting that day.
The cemetery was on the path of the tornado touchdown, about two miles from where the tornado-proper stopped and the high winds remained. The trees it destroyed there were massive.
The "inside" of this tree was fascinating.
We felt rather fortunate that nothing in our area was actually knocked down. Other sections of the cemetery weren't so lucky -- a huge swath of trees taken out and at least one stone in this area knocked askew.
We've had time for a little bit of fun, some of which was connecting with friends old and new. Rick's friends Karen and Gary came to Michigan from Utah and we enjoyed a warm, wonderful and delicious dinner -- our first outdoors! (The sweet potatoes with balsamic glaze came from the oven!)
Also coming to town for a day was my longtime friend Suzanne. We hit the bookstore, ate at our favorite Mexican restaurant and caught up on life!
Suzanne missed most of the tornado damage, but she did get to see the tree on top of Rick's house.
The tree is now gone, thanks to an arborist named Brad who managed to tackle the mess, turn much of it into mulch and clean up the roof, revealing a couple of holes that will need to be repaired.
He shimmied up the tree and methodically whacked off the limbs of the fallen part.
When it got down to mostly trunk, he began cutting log after log until it was gone.
The best news is that he thinks there is a very good chance that the tree itself will be OK, though it will take some time to know. He said the part near the top where things broke off (black in the photo) is actually new bark growing and that's a good sign. Our fingers are crossed.
And now, there is a good deal of mulch and all the limbs, branches and logs are gone!
So, good things, all of them. And art too. . .
. . . But that's for another post!
Sharing with: Love Your Creativity / Share Your Style
55 comments:
I am so glad nothing of yours got knocked down. The art piece is beautiful! So nice to see lovely smiles. The food looks really good!
It is incredible how much damage they can do...so sorry about the cemetery and Rick's roof. Nothing can lift your heart than visiting with friends! The iris photo is stunning, you should paint it!
We were in a bit of a tornado alley in Sarnia. I had students who just got to their basement in time. When they came up, their house was gone.
That does look like it could be scary to be in!
So many areas have gotten hit with these storms. glad you knew someone that could saw up that tree-a big job.
Missouri had some tornadoes too but safe where we live.
Happy new week
Kathy
Oh my gosh - what a mess!!! I hope there isn't too much damage.
...some trees are an accident waiting to happen.
Between the tornado’s aftermath at the cemetery and the warmth of shared meals and friendships, it sounds like a week that held both the weight of loss and the comfort of connection.
The tornado really did a lot of damage, didn't it? Those a huge trees that came down. And Rick was lucky that that tree didn't do a lot of damage to his house. I bet he's happy the tree is down. and Life looks good otherwise. I love this latest painting too, and I'm looking forward to your art post. Have a great start to the new week. hugs-Erika
What a tree still standing like that.
May
I’m glad the tree has finally been removed from the roof!
A post that ends with your artwork is always going to be a favorite! Glad to see that restoration is in progress, and that the damage you weathered isn't as bad as it could have been. And good times shared with friends... always the best! Maybe your first -- delicious! -- grill of the season is a turning point?
What a lot of force to take down such big trees! I always enjoy seeing your artwork.
What an eventful time you have had. It is tough to see such damage, especially at the cemetery. It is wonderful that Rick's tree might be okay, and it looks like you had some lovely visits with friends. www.melodyjacob.com
It is sad to see trees go...I wish more timber could be salvaged from them for woodworking.
Good to get together, friends and family
Oh, those horrible storms can cause so much havoc. I'm so glad Rick’s house is okay, except for some repairs. The cemetery also suffered some real damage. 🙁
Having friends in for a visit always makes our hearts full. And lifts our spirits!
Have a wonderful weekend my friend!
My Brother has to take care of our parent´s grave as he lives nearby, Ingo´s Grandma, where we lived got cremated and thrown "somewhere and in our wills we follow her.
I have pictures hanging here of them all, but everyone mourns in an own way.
Glad your place made it!
Crazy weather and scary results! Very happy for your personal circumstances not being any worse, although holes in a roof would be very distressing for me. I love to display seasonal art, and that scene is a happy summer one!
Lots of damage, Jeanie, but I guess as the old saying goes, “It could have been worse!”
I'm so glad you were all safe and that the tornado didn't do more damage than it did. Fingers crossed for the tree! The painting is lovely!
Wow, it is sad to see all the damage from the tornado.
It is scary to have trees too close to the house.
I like the painting, very pretty.
Take care, enjoy your day and have a great week!
Mother nature..Lucky for you all..it did not damage anything huge. Arborists are gymnasts I admire them so much I live in an area with trees such as those..And we have needed arborists ..Love that watercolor!
It’s not a good idea to have a tree so close to the house. I had our trees dug out because they were damaging the foundation of our house.
What a shock! Scary when big trees fall. Glad you and things around were okay. I hope you have a great week, my friend. :)
Wow, those trees that fell were huge - and how crazy to see the roots pulled out of the ground! I am so glad that you were mostly spared. Dealing with holes in a roof sounds rough!
I'm glad you had a visit from Suzanne to brighten your days!!
Sorry about the tree on Rick's house. It looks so mammoth! It's sad about the trees at the cemetery, too. I hope they clean it up soon. Wishing you sunny days, good books, and great friendship this summer.
Oh no. Good to see you both are safe and the tree didn't cause too much damage.
I was in the UK when this tornado came through and worried about my teen who was home alone... but it was your part of town that got the the brunt of it this time. I'm sorry about the cemetery mess and Rick's tree and roof... but also relieved that you've addressed it already and they seem fixable... and that YOU are alright! The flower pictures are glorious! Our irises are just beginning to show up too!
So glad that there wasn't more damage done from the storm..Looks like it was past time for that one tree to go..
Always nice to have visits from old friends...nice to have old friends!!
Wow those are some really huge trees that got knocked down. It sounds like you had a few delicious meals with friends though and that is always fun.
the iris is GORGEOUS...iris are such a unique flower, and have so much beautiful detail. what a huge tree, such a bummer to lose a tree and have it fall so close to the headstones, it sure was interesting inside. and how nice to spend time with your friend, i have seen her picture here before!!
Oh my goodness. Sorry about Rick's roof. Relieved it wasn't worse.
That Iris is gorgeous!
Love your art at the end of the post, and the flower at the top. Wow i guess it could have been a lot worse with the trees. Eek. Hope your month is going well now.
Oh wow, that tree!!! We had a tornado watch here last night but it came to nought thankfully. We looked at some of our trees at the side of the house and thought yes, that has to go for safety's sake. Lovely to be visiting with your friends. The meal looks very yummy on the barbecue. Love your artwork at the end of your post. Have a great week Jeanie :)
That tree, amazing it did no more damage than a couple holes! What a scare. So many trees falling these days, it's sad and very worrying.
My heart goes out to those whom have lost lives and home in these devasting tornadoes throughout the country. Glad you were able to have some great times with out of town friends. Janice
Jeanie,
Tornadoes are terrifying...I can't beleive that one narrowly missed my house only a few years ago as tornadoes are rare here in NEPA...Love the look inside that tree...Thanks so much for stopping by!
Hugs,
Deb
Debbie-Dabble Blog
Jeanie, I feel you. We have tornados fairly often here in Florida and they leave a path of destruction. Glad you were able to spend time with a good friend (smile) always good.
It's terrible to lose fine old trees, but it is true that they often come back and flourish. It takes time, of course, but it happens. It's just good that you and Rick didn't suffer more damage -- and that you knew someone who could deal with that poor tree! It's clear he was well prepared, had the right equipment, and knew what he was doing!
You were really lucky that you didn't get bigger damage, and very good that you were able to find a knowledgeable arborist who dealt with Rick's tree. Fingers crossed that the tree will make it.
That Iris is beautiful! Those storms did a bit of damage everywhere. Glad things can be easily repaired.
Wow, those are some mighty trees who got dislocated in the storm....
Oh my gosh!! That would have been a shock. So many big trees. I am glad that you were all safe with that storm.
BIG TREE!!!!!
Big trees to take care of. I hope you manage to get the old tree going. How lovely to meet up with friends. I love your painting at the end, so beautiful.
Good morning, Jeanie. I am sorry I am so late to read and comment. I am glad there was no major damage at your family’s grave site. Wow, that tree that hit Rick’s roof could have done even more damage. Tornadoes are frightening and cause major damage around here. Meeting up with friends is always fun. Love your painting. Wishing you a lovely Wednesday!
Dear Jeanne, I am glad you are safe from the tornado's damage. And how wonderful to enjoy lovely June days with friends. It's a golden (yet busy!!!) month for sure ...
Wow, that was a huge tree in the cemetery, looks like it was rotted inside. Glad that Rick's house is making progress on repairs. So happy you both are safe.
Planting flowers at the grave site is a lovely tribute and memento to them.
Seriously, what was inside that tree. Hardened fugus? Never seen that before, but I am learning that there is a lot of things out and about that I have never seen. That was a big tree that came down. Loving the colors of your flowers.....wow, you folks are really behind us. June brought some heat but the last three days have been cool again. I am able to get things done outside when it is cool. Matter of fact, my sedum is blooming now, it don't normally bloom till the last few weeks before fall comes in.
So glad you didn't have any damage from the storm. We had huge trees around our property at our last house and every time the wind blew we held our breath. Here, no trees until we planted several. Jims says he hopes we are around to worry about these! Sorry about Rick's troubles but looks like it cleaned up nicely. Nice people who help! Sorry you didn't get the geraniums planted but I'm sure Rick is enjoying them. Always so nice to welcome our friends. Looks like a lot of catching up to do. Happy summer Jeanie.
What an adventure. Those tornadoes... We have a favourite arborist, but just ice damage, not a tornado. They are shocking.
That was certainly some storm. Glad you had a good arborist to help out. Love the painting at the end of the post.
Goodness, the havoc that bad weather causes.
Thankfully you are both safe.
All the best Jan
Oh my, look at those trees that were knocked down at the cemetery. Some of these trees look so old and BIG. So much work has been done at Rick's house too after the tree fell on his house. So nice that you got together with your longtime friend, and Mexican food really hits the spot. It's one of my favs. I am just catching up on your posts, Jeanie, and I loved your recent Iris post also. Your aunt Iris sounds like a wonderful gal. I've never really been into the Iris flower, but by your pictures, it really got me thinking about them. I hope you are enjoying these June days, Jeanie. I just love your "home" posts.
~Sheri
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