Tuesday, May 15, 2007

5-16-07 - Stepping down off the soapbox... how about some insight??

Cool photo, huh? Tornadoes just mesmerize me. Don't know why! ... The one time I saw a tornado in real life, I panicked. Don't worry, I wasn't even close enough to it, to have even been worried about it.

The story behind this one is... Summer of 1990:

My (now) ex-husband, Alan, our son, (Michael) & I were eating when we heard the storm approach. I don't remember exactly what happened to make me go outside... But I did. We were in an apartment building & when you walk right out the door, it was like a little porch. We were on the 2nd floor. I looked out off the porch & in the sky I saw a funnel cloud. I raced down to my neighbors, (we had made friends with; which, unfortunately, I can't remember their names.), & pounded on their door & yelled "TORNADO"!!!

By that time, Alan, was out in the parking lot watching it flee over the hill. He hollered, "It's gone."

Then a couple minutes later our phone rang & I ran upstairs to answer it. It was my mom. "A tornado just hit the farm" she said. Thankfully everyone (animals included) were ok. But the conversation was short lived... because the line cut out. We believed it was the same tornado we had just seen from the porch.

So, needless to say, I was frantic. I asked Alan to get Michael & take us to the farm to check on Mom.

Sure enough, there was some damage. (If I can find the photos & get them scanned in, I'll add it to my albums.)

My mom said she watch the whole thing from the basement. She saw the tornado come from the back woods, take the chicken house (no chickens in it thankfully) & turn it upside down into the machine shed right next to it. Then it "bounced" right over the FOUR story barn (without damaging the barn!); take out a few trees in the woods by the sawmill & go across the valley & do some damage there. Then disappear in the valley. (Where more trees were toppled.)


That's not the only time I had a brush with tornadoes... The next summer Alan, Michael & I were living in a trailer home park. (DON'T LAUGH!). & TWO nights in a row we were awoken by heavy winds. & Tornado sirens off in the distance. We rush to the truck & drove to the storm shelter for the park residents & thankfully for us was not too far... but not close enough to run to it.

The 1st night wasn't too bad... mostly wind, rain & lighting... but the 2nd night, on our way to the truck we both thought we saw a tornado (& we had) in between lighting strikes. This spooked Alan & he raced us up to the shelter faster than the night before.

Thankfully the tornado stayed away from the trailer park. (See they're not always attracted to trailer parks!)
However it did do some damage (nothing major) about 5 miles down the road.

Ever since then (& maybe before) I have been intrigued with tornado photos & videos. Now with the internet, I take pleasure in viewing radars of storms. I also enjoy watching about hurricanes & trying to figure out were they'll make landfall. (Maybe I should be come a meteorologist.)
yeah, right!

It's not just tornadoes & hurricanes that fascinate me. I enjoy most nature photos & videos. Including rainbows.

To think... I do not like being outdoors 100% of the time. Either it's way too hot or too cold... not to mention the bugs & mosquitoes.

I'll bet right now, my dad is saying... I'd love it where he is!!!

Since I posted that aerial picture of his home, I won't say where in the world he lives. Just know that it's about 68 degrees most days, all year round. So, he says... (since I don't remember my trips (see past blogs) to see him... I have to just take him at his word.)


Ok, ok, I've rambled enough today! Now you know a little more about Lady Harley!!
Have a GREAT day! (She says as she realizes she's starting to be more like her "old" self... the cheerful rambler!)

P.S. Yes, I enjoy seeing & adding the "smileys" to my posts!!

Monday, May 14, 2007

5-15-07 - Gas Boycott NOT JUST TODAY (KEEP READING!!)

I also agree paying over $3 a gallon is completely nuts! & I heard by summer's end it may be over $4!! However, if we stand together we may be able to "knock" some sense into these oil companies!!

I believe my husband has the best idea...
Boycott 1 station in your town, (like Exxon or BP) & NOT JUST for 1 day... but until that station lowers their price SIGNIFICANTLY!!! Like at least $1 or more!! & then when they do, go ONLY to that station, until the others drop theirs to compete!! It's called "SUPPLY & DEMAND"!!

Please keep in mind Exxon & BP are just examples. If you feel you can be a leader, choose one in your neighborhood & pass the word around. (Because not everyone has the same stations, like I don't have Exxon... otherwise they'd be FIRST on my list!! However, choose a big name, because chances are, that would be the one the majority of the country can also choose.)

They may lower the gas today, but it's going to sky rocket tomorrow.
We need to make a statement AND fast!!! Otherwise everything else is going to sky rocket (EXCEPT our salaries!!)
If wish, please feel free to copy & post this in an email & send to your friends. But keep in mind, this is just one couple's opinion!

Saturday, May 12, 2007

5-13-07 ~ Happy Mother's Day :)

(If she's still with us...) Have you hugged your mom today... or at the very least called & told her you love her??

HAPPY MOM'S DAY!! God bless you all!!!

Thursday, May 3, 2007

5-4-07 - Aerial view of my dad's place :)

Isn't that picture cool!! Well it is for me! (Because I don't remember when I was out there) ... It was really neat to be able to pull up Dad's exact address & see a pretty clear picture of the rv park!!!

I was able to view this with Google Earth. (Only problem is, that program really slows the computer down!)

I tried to pull up our house, but they don't have very clear photos, yet, in our area in Ohio! :)

Well, it's almost that time again... husband to come home from work. So, I have to go & get our dogs out & around the block.

So, have a great day & talk to you again, soon!

P.S. I'm trying to keep this blog up, again, so check back frequently for more entries!

Wednesday, May 2, 2007

5-3-2007 - National Day of Prayer

Just a brief comment. Please pray for our country & her leaders. They need all the support we can give them.

Thank you & have a great day, B! :)