Tuesday, February 21, 2012

When the bough breaks....


My reverie was interupted by an ominous sound;
like that of a freight train hurling itself toward our little aboad.
I peered out the window to witness a strange sight ~
the once calm wind, suddenly howling and picking up
a sheet of water and hurling it, like a giant fluid wall ,
into the woods at the edge of the little bay that we live on.
Then I could see no more, for the rain made viewing
impossible. The wind thundered into the house with such
force, I thought surely the walls would fall in.
My two cats raced away as if their tails were on fire,
and seeing the windows bend in the shape of an archers bow,
I called out to them to come with me
as I made a hasty retreat to the
safety of the basement!
No sooner had I set foot at the bottom of the stairs,
all was calm and quiet as before.
What had just happened?
Fearing for my free ranging chickies,
 I ventured out to see if they had been blown away like Dorothy
in the Wizard of Oz!
It was then that I saw the handywork of that mighty blast of wind.



Half of the centerpiece of our little farm, a Big Leaf Maple tree had been wrenched
from its trunk and lay broken on the ground.


Again, half of this favorite apple tree was carelessly
tossed aside as well, leaving only a pitiful
remnant behind.


The cherry trees in the orchard did not escape receiving mortal wounds...


...and the little pear trees suffered severe amputation, as well.



Curiosly, some trees remained untouched...




...but most showed some signs of battle against
the forces of nature.


Even evidence of casualties from the neighboring
woodland were transported hundreds of feet
to a foreign resting place behind the barn.


And so, the sad task of bearing away the
hulking forms of our cherished champions
begins.

(note: no chickens were harmed in the storm. All were safely huddled on their roost!)

~*~

"If the clouds are full, they pour out rain upon the earth; and whether a tree falls toward the south or toward the north, wherever the tree falls, there it lies."
Ecclesiastes 11:3

Joining Susan at A Southern Daydreamer
for

And
Deborah Jean's


4 comments:

Marqueta (Mar-kee-ta) G. said...

Dear Lady Farmer,

Oh dear, the poor trees! Thank goodness the animals were spared, but what a sad loss.

I hope that Mother Nature proves to be a good pruner, and that the remaining trees will grow well for you, and bear much fruit.

Love,

Marqueta

Camille said...

So sorry for your loss in the form of tree limbs my friend. What a shame! So glad that you all are well and your chickies were safe. :)

Trust all will be calmer for you on your homestead in the coming days!

Love,
Camille

Anonymous said...

Oh no! I have a heart for trees and mine aches for your loses. I am glad no chickens were hurt in the storm. I can imagine it must have been frightening for them.

Little Susie Home Maker said...

Isn't a shame when we have to see our trees damaged? I like your post.
Blessings,
Susie