Storm prep, big plans, Maggie and Aaron

Mama and I went into storm prep mode last night. The forecast was pretty bad; strong storms and damaging hail. That was not the part of the predicted weather patterns that alarmed us. It was the prediction of tornados that got our attention. The winds had been very strong all day and it was clear that a storm was on the way. The sky looked like it was boiling upside down. So we decided to prepare the storm cellar for use.


We swept it out and got some chairs placed in it. Mama got some water bottles ready and put some clean, dry cloths in a bag so we could change if needed. I suppose we ought to spend some time really planning this out but since the storm was predicted in the early morning hours we did the best we could – since we were not really convinced of the need. We have never had to use the shelter. Maybe we never will, but we spent some time thinking about it.

When I first went down into the cellar/shelter, I saw a mouse on the shelving we have left in place. The shelving is full of canning jars which we may or may not use in the future. The mouse did not seem to be an issue. When Mama came down the mouse decide to attempt a daring escape and launched itself from the shelving towards the light of the open door. Mama happened to be in the direct path. I think her scream could be heard in Bowie. The mouse reversed course and headed towards the darkest corner he could find while Mama kept screaming and dancing.

We eventually finished the prep but Mama was on high alert throughout. We did not need to take shelter. The storm was certainly severe, but it passed over us without causing any dangerous situations. It is nice to have the resource if we need it and I plan on taking the time to make it more efficient in case we ever do need it, but probably not very soon.

I briefly checked the apartment and shop this morning and there was quite a bit of water inside. The wind shifted from the north to the south and the tarp I have on the north side was blown into the shop allowing quite a bit of rain to blow in. It could certainly have been worse. I am anxious to get it all sealed up and dried in; maybe this weekend. I am certainly at the point of needing help and that could be on the way if Norman and Seth come down with Grandma and Grandpa as planned. If they are willing to take the time to help.

They are planning on coming down with enough money to buy a truck Grandpa found at the junkyard, fix it up and let Norman and Seth take it back to West Virginia. The plan is to buy hay in WV and use this truck and a trailer – which I do not know if we have yet or not – to transport that hay to Texas for resale. I am in favor of the plan, but I cannot support it financially at this point. We will see how it all works out. It is a good plan, but as always the devil is in the details.

Maggie and Aaron got restarted yesterday morning. She called me as they were getting out of Los Angeles. They still have a long way to go to get to the ferry that will take them up the Inland Passage to Juneau, but she was encouraged that the car was operating well – and that bathroom breaks were more easily accommodated. I have read that the only way into and out of Juneau is by plane or by ferry. That is remote living.

They will get on the ferry in Bellingham, Washington and take the two day ride up to Juneau, Alaska. We have to pray they get to the ferry.

The rest is pretty easy.

Check out the knife Nate got from his sergeant. It is a “repurposed” rail road spike.