Cathy in the Wright

When Soybeans Go Three Rounds With A Hail Storm, The Beans Always Lose

This is a shot of our neighbor's bean field. There are supposed to be leaves on those green shoots. The Outpost weathered a bad storm tonight. Fortunately, no broken windows. Most of the neighborhood wasn't so lucky however.

This is one small spot in our front yard. Now multiply by one small township. The plants didn't have a chance.

A view of our front deck. Just about every square inch of sidewalk, driveway, and yard looks the same.

The Governor and I had driven The Senator and VP to a church on the south side of town where they were joining up with other father/son combinations for a trip to the BWCA. As we waited in the parking lot, we saw the most amazing cloud formations - layered, tumbling clouds - not quite swirling, but definitely rolling. We watched until the temperature took a sudden drop, and then we all decided to wait inside the church. Some of the parents swore they saw a funnel dip down and return to the clouds, but the excitement passed. I don't even think it rained at the church.

Meanwhile....back at the ranch: My in-laws were in their basement shouting to be heard over the sound of grape-to-baseball-sized hail hitting their house. As The Governor and I drove home we realized our little township had been nailed. Yards were filled with thousands of leaves that had been stripped off trees. Cornfields leveled. Gardens destroyed. My geranium pots look like someone took a weed whip to them. And the smell. Freshly shredded foliage. Oak leaf smoothie. Take one deep breath and all you can think is "green."

But, as one who always looks for the proverbial silver lining, I have to say that some good came out of this storm. Our neighbor with the destroyed bean field can sell the acreage to a developer for more money because it's now riverfront property.

Posted by Cathy at June 20, 2007 10:35 PM