Monday, March 17, 2008

Spring in the South

Spring in Georgia reminds me a little bit of Forrest Gump. Spring in Georgia is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get. Some days the weather is gorgeous , like yesterday, sunny and mild, and makes my green thumb itch. Other days it might be cloudy and cold, so that you think winter is making her last stand. But this past Saturday, nature once again decided to show her stuff. We were pounded with terrible storms, and tornadoes. I awoke early Saturday morning to a terrific show of thunder and lighting. Now I love me a good thunderstorm, especially in the wee hours of a Saturday morning, when I don't have to crawl out of bed until I'm good and ready. My dogs were scared, and ended up on the bed with us. I laid there all cozy just taking it all in with enjoyment. However, a few hours later we saw the news about the tornado that hit Atlanta on Friday night. Talk about shocked! It was amazing and overwhelming as we watched the news coverage about the damage to our major city.

Later that day, we sat glued to our television as we watched the weather reports about the storms that kept rolling through our area. It was the strangest feeling to literally see tornadoes, not one but several, move along the weather radar path, headed right toward us! And to watch the weather outside as the storms barreled down on us! We spent about 20 minutes in our basement when the weather man told us to, and when we heard the tornado sirens going off at the school up the road from us. As we sat in the basement, watching TV down there, our phone rang off the hook. My daddy and my son were also in the line of fire, in the next town over. My poor daddy was scared to death. I wanted to be there with him.

Luckily, all of us survived any major damage. But some of our neighbors and friends were not as lucky as they had to deal with downed trees and power outages. Its a miracle no one in our area was killed and we are thankful.

As nature would have it, the day after the storms was a gorgeous spring day, perfect for Palm Sunday. I love it when nature shows off, but I think I can do without the tornados, high winds, and hail. But I'll take a good thunderstorm anyday.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good morning Rebecca, I'm so glad to hear you're safe and have no damage. Your area is in my prayers, I was living in Nashville at the time of the big tornado there. It is truly amazing to see others gather together and help in the cleanup.

Of course there is always calm after the storm, at least it always seems that way. I'm reminded of the song "sometimes he calms the storm" by Scott Krippayne, I was working at a Christian radio station at the time of this song :).

My Mother-in-law and uncle live in Alabama so we always watch the weather in your area to be sure they are safe.

My prayers are with you and those in your area!

God's blessings,
Kathi

Anonymous said...

Wow! I'm so glad to hear that you're ok. That's the kind of "up close and personal" you can probably do without :-)
On the other hand, I am not really a nature-person, so I love hearing about others' green thumbs. That always brings a smile to my face.

Hugs,
Renee
www.mrsmathis.com

Julie said...

Oh Rebecca,

I'm so sorry to hear that you had such a frightening week-end. I'm so glad to hear that you're safe. That's just how we were the other night. We don't have a basement, though, not sure why they don't build them here?

Your poor daddy. I'm so sorry for him. It has to be even more frightening for him, being alone.

Y'all take care and hunker down, again. Looks like we're forecasted for another round tonight. Texas is getting it right now. Maybe it will "die-down" before it gets to y'all! We can certainly pray about it!!!

And you're so right about the beautiful Palm Sunday! We couldn't have asked for a prettier, more blessed day!

Blessings,
Julie

Anonymous said...

Spring, and winter, too, here in Virginia are also like that box of chocolates. Using AC one day and going down to 15 degrees a night or two later.

Our area has been labeled the tornado alley of the East, and I just hate it. All the time I was growing up we never worried about tornadoes. That was something that happened in the Midwest. All that has changed in the past decade. Luckily not much damage here, but individual homes and a subdivision in the next county have had extensive damage in recent years.

I don't know how those folks in the Midwest put up with it storm after storm, never knowing which one will spawn a tornado. It's frightening.

Glad you didn't have any damage.

Unknown said...

I'm glad you're safe. How scary tornadoes can be. I've been through one and that was plenty enough for me! I hope not to see another one, but I suppose that's asking a bit much. I do live a bit more out of the way now though....

Michelle said...

Happy Easter, dear belle!

Beaufort Belle said...

Girlfriend...I am so relieved that you are safe and sound. Somehow I didn't think you were in "the line of fire". I am sure you were as worried about your daddy and son as they were about you.

Yes, this spring weather is strange in the south. Tomorrow, we are supposed to hit 80 and then on Saturday, lucky to hit 57. What a change!!

Love you!
J.