Nothing Remains The Same

"Everything is always changing,
nothing remains the same,
and live in the moment"
These are some words that my special son
sometimes tells his mom.

Last night - a night to forget.
Rarely watch television, and glance
at the weather forecast on the computer.
Storms were predicted for the evening
and all was well until 8:30.

The lightning was nonstop for hours,
the wind and rain so strong that I
thought when dawn arrived I would
see part of the roof of this cottage torn off.

Current was off for almost 8 hours and for
some reason my cell phone would not finish
some numbers.  Checked in at the beginning
of rain with my youngest
daughter to see what was going on.  Was told
that the worst of this storm was in my area.

After several hours I was able to call the local
sheriff's office to see if I was the only one without
current or was it widespread.  Told that it covered
a wide area.  Love the 10 foot high corn field but
have no view of surrounding area.

So a sleepless night and a surprise that Callie never
whimpered liked her mistress.  Just wagged her tail
when I ask if she was alright.

Dawn arrives and it looks like a tornado has passed
through my garden and woods.  Dozens of small trees are down
and limbs everywhere.  All outside flower pots are turned
over, concrete bird baths, most outdoor furniture turned over
and blown off of front porch
and my screen porch has some screens that were partially
blown out.

At dawn the first time ever that I did not immediately start cleaning up
I remember my mother and grandmother commenting on a lot
of the outdoor work I did.  They told me you will know when
you can no longer do this.   Well I knew that there was no way
I could tackle this clean up.   Especially with being awake all night.

I filled the bird feeders as the birds seemed to be unsettled.  Took
the blower and cleaned off walk and that was it.
Made 3 phone calls and someone is coming in the morning with a
chain saw to begin the clean up.

Continuing thoughts - as time goes on is this where I need to live.

I have no answer but I do know I am so thankful there was no major
damage to my cottage, that my long drive only had a few limbs on
it that I removed and I was able to get to the road this morning.

Seems Woodhaven and her mistress  have survived the rain, heat, beetles and now
a really bad storm.  For this thankfulness thoughts - never stop....