After the Waters

The Nashville flood of May 1st - 3rd was more stunning than words can say. I've heard story after story from friends who experienced far worse than we did; story after story of strangers who went through disaster and lost everything but their lives. Even with the telling of stories, words seem to fail everyone. How do you fully describe such things? In the days following the receding of the waters, we've been back out and around through our town, and are awed at the high level of mud and debris lines. In some places, they were far above our heads as we drove by. But, amazingly you can only mostly see the line where it was - so much outside has already been cleaned up.

As it's been said, "A picture is worth a thousand words". Here you will find both pictures and words of what happened in Nashville. I'm so proud of the people here - what they endured and continue to endure. The clean-up will be a long time coming, but the rushing waters have only revealed the gold that resides in hearts and minds, and all to the glory of God.

As clean-up continues and people begin to put their lives back together, keep them in your prayers and donate if you can. Thank you.

Evening in May

I can think of nothing nicer than to share this honeysuckle-scented evening with you.

The Thomas Affleck rose has just burst into bloom.

Dwarf Foxglove and Pincushion Flower.

The valley beyond.

Pretty pink Bright Eye looks down the walk.

Our newest rose, Lavender Lassie, overlooks Ladybug while she overlooks who-knows-what. Lavender Lassie will eventually grow to 20+ feet!

As they say here in Tennessee, "Come and set awhile!"

I was SO delighted to get this picture of such fun symmetry! Tweety (in the middle) looks like he's giving the game plan to the rest of the team.

Still chatting.

THE END!

Backyard Waterways

It's been a week now since Nashville and surrounding areas flooded. The waters have receded for the most part, and as they did, more unfortunate souls were found - even as of yesterday. At this point the death toll from the storm, which included a tornado, is at 31. This disaster was largely ignored by the Media, but over the weekend it leaked out here and there and today the Administration has sent 2 representatives to Nashville to take a look at things.

We Middle Tennesseans however, have not been sitting around waiting for the government to come pick us up. Volunteers of all types have sprung into action and needs are being met. Neighborhood after neighborhood has been taking care of its own. THAT'S how it's done! Kudos to Middle Tennesseans!

Our own clean-up is finished: rock (as much as could be found) put back in the driveway, debris and trash picked up, mud cleaned out from the barns. We've begun collecting things for a church in Nashville that lost everything, and the many clothes from our yard sale have made for a good start.

Continuing the photo tour, I'd like to show you what happened in the back yard while a river roared through the front.

Our back yard is at the foot of a hill, and even then it continues sloping downward to the road and valley bottom. All that rain came down in three areas from the hill - one just behind the house, the other right into the back yard, and the other through the garden and large dog run. That last one was one giant, flowing sheet of water.

Here it comes from behind the house. I tried protecting my recently planted herbs with the pine straw bales, but it was gutted anyway. At least 3" of soil washed away as did a few herbs. I found them, though, and replanted. It looks like they're going to make it.

Here the water continues on and is joined by the 2nd course of water flowing down the hill. It came down right to the base of the tree. Several inches of dirt and grass were washed away from the tree trunk base. At one point, the water came within 1 1/2 feet of our back door and we thought we might have to barricade it somehow, but that didn't happen.

The water flows on around the corner ...

... under the bridge ...

... and out the other side.

Here you can see that sheet of water as it courses through the dog run and on down into the front field.

Mind you, we don't have a creek here - usually.

It would have all been quite pretty had it not been so destructive, most of all for other people.