It seemed a bit odd, but we never complained.
Yesterday afternoon the three people who have to go back to work put on a barbecue and invited four retirees.
Willie and Debbie hosted, and Annie helped out while Barbara, Laurie, Bill and I came as guests.
We tried to help, but the young'uns had it all under control.
And, what a feast it was. That corn and those burgers and steaks tasted every bit as good as they looked.
We wore layers and sat in the sun. Eventually, we donned masks and went into the house for key lime pie.
And, while we visited, the top topic involved the Mother Nature show which had started early in the morning, progressing into an all-out blizzard WITHOUT THE SNOW.
Limbs, leaves, pieces of structures and even our dead canoe out in the far shed got blown into places they'd never ventured before.
I found the section of roof from my greenhouse over by one of our west doors. That means it blew over the garden and the kennel and was nice enough not to come through a window.
The canoe, which has sat in the same spot for 14 years, lay turned over about 50 feet away this morning. I noticed a slit in its side, which I've never noticed before.
Does anyone know of dead canoe cemeteries?
Actually, our personal reports were nothing compared to all the other havoc in the area. Power out, trees down, pontoon boats destroyed at 41 South, wind shields bashed in by trees, and a whole lot of burning, major highways closed AND evacuations.
To say it's been crazy in our region since Sunday turned into Monday would be an understatement.
I went out to get the paper this morning. It was not there.
I carried my camera to take pictures of school buses. I saw none and have decided that maybe the school day must start later this year.
It's truly a new chapter in the unknown, and Mother Nature definitely added her touch to the story.
Deep in my heart, I pray for our teachers, our administrators, our students and support staff as they try their darndest to make this work.
I also pray that people associated with the in-school mode of education will cooperate with and support all expectations to a high degree.
Every person who walks into those settings of uncertainty today is beyond precious to countless others who will be sitting on the sidelines hoping for the best.
We want them walking out of those settings, healthy every day.
Today is a good time for people to step up to the plate and adopt a consistent effort, showing how good and caring and helpful they can be.
It's also a good turning point to turn off the crude nastiness and mean-spirited judgments in favor of a spirit of "we in this together; let's make the most and the best of it."
Enough of the bad; let's see some good.
We generally all wish for the same things in this world: self reliance, knowledge, success, safety, happiness and most importantly on this day in this time---our health.
Maybe keeping those things in mind could guide us to a new and improved mindset.
The beginning of a new school year marks a perfect starting point for all involved.
Happy Monday. Much love and luck and productive learning and guiding to every student, educator, support staffer, parent and administrator.
Make it a good day and a great year.
We may not have received our Daily Bee yet this morning, but I did find Bill's article about the Smith Creek drainage online.
It's one of his favorite fishing places ever.
Hope you enjoy.
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