Weather extremes are so discouraging. It is hard to make a living growing food as ones business/life work, that could be made so much more worthwhile and productive for both producer and consumer if appropriate weather could only be counted upon. Add in the dangers and injuries to people, animals and land, and life can get a little depressing at times. If it were not for faith to lift us up, bad weather could take a greater toll on our attitudes.
We experienced some of that bad weather last night. Leaving a matched bronc ride event at Philip just as the last ride was taken, we watched the lightning and clouds play tag across the sky for the 32 mile trip home, arriving just as family members were finishing putting vehicles and equipment into our new, as yet not quite finished calving barn. Others were gathering at our house, the only one with a basement. And getting our car into the garage just as the electricity went off was good. However we got no hail, just wind damage, and it was probably a straight wind. It blew some large, heavy steel and tin windbreak panels several yards, bending three of them some, but looks repairable. Quite a few branches came off an OLD Chinese Elm tree in the front yard, but didn't hit any windows. And that mess is being cleaned up as I write. I'd like to cut the thing down entirely, as it drops branches all the time, but the shade wins me over! Trees are so hard to grow and keep in this area that we treasure even the 'mis-fits. I'm sure others in the area had more damage. Creeks and the Bad river are pretty high, but believe they are dropping rather quickly and we really could wait awhile before getting more rain.
The country side is really beautifully green, and has been for more than the usual 'three days of spring' here. I think all the branding delays have been overcome, and many cows are in summer pastures. We hope to get that done here this week. We calve in spring pastures, and they are doing very well with our about 12 inches of rain so far this year, so think it probably is good to have delayed going to summer pastures, if not by choice.
Some people had serious damage to buildings, and quite a few semi's were blown off I-90 to the south of us, with ambulances called out from small towns in the area. Lots of trees and some buildings damaged in small towns, I'm sure. Community celebrations were interrupted last night, and as of 6PM right now, there is thunder rumbling in the distance with clouds gathering in the west and north, so maybe another night of worry and praying for not getting more than we can handle, as well as for those who are getting so much damage for weeks this spring!
Yet, very thankful that the rodeo ended with no serious injuries, and that the only damage we have heard of during the storms around the area was property, not injuries or deaths.
mrj