This picture has nothing to do with this post. I took it in the shopping center parking lot over the weekend, between storms. I think it was a sign from heaven to continue shopping.
Good news or the bad news first? It’s best to get the good news first. It cushions the blow of the bad news when it hits you.
The good news is that I have neither fallen from the face of the earth, been abducted by aliens, nor quit blogging. Well, that’s the good news from my perspective anyway.
The bad news is that I was not vacationing in France. I have been so busy and powerless (without electricity) that I haven’t had the time or the ability to blog for a few days.
The good news is the storm that we had was not a tornado or a hurricane or any other type of natural disaster.
The bad news is that the storm passed through with 70-mile-per-hour winds. Branches, debris and electrical wires were “gone with the wind” and we have been cleaning up for days.
The good news is that as a result of a downed power line which was live when it hit the shoulder of the road, we acquired a chunk of gravel turned into a solid rock that has been melted as smooth as glass.
I think the glassified hole in the center is where the bolt of electricity went through it. I’ll have to talk with my geologist nephew or my rocket scientist sister-in-law as to the scientific aspects of the metamorphosis that occurred here. My interpretation is that the electricity was so hot it melted the gravel, but I’m sure there is more to it than that.
We had been without power all day and at 10:30 PM, the power was restored. That was when we heard a booming buzzing sound outside accompanied by a flash of light coming from up the road that lit up the sky as if it were daylight. The ever-brave MacGyver went to investigate which is when he discovered the downed, live power line. He called the power company and stayed there until they arrived to fix it to be certain that nobody drove over the live wire.
We walked up the road the next day, after the power had been restored, and found this souvenir.
Bad news – .1% of the time, nature can be scary and dangerous. Hurricanes, lightning, poisonous snakes. Be careful out there! Faites attention!
Good news – 99.9% of the time, nature is beautiful. It allows you to renew your soul, to breathe deeply, and to enjoy the beauty of things you might not see or may not notice on a regular basis. Enjoy nature!
French Twisted Woman
French Twisted Woman 
I love the way you saw the good in all of the bad that was happening around you…You must be a positive Spirit…That’s a good thing!…mkg
Thank you, mkg. I try to be positive. But there are times, for example, when I have just finished mopping and the boys run in from the woods with muddy feet, their clothes dripping and leaving a trail of pine needles and other woodland debris across the floor, that I feel a lot less than positive. But then I remind myself that in a few years, they won’t want to play in the woods any longer. They’ll be off at college. So I ask them to go back to the garage and take off their dirty clothes and clean up the floor. I love having them around, dirt, messes, and all! FTW
I love the “twist” to this post. Isn’t nature, whether in its beauty or fury, awe-inspiring?
Yes, it is awe-inspiring. Well said! Merci! FTW
Personal I like when nature is scary, because it show an strong and power beauty. Like a stormy ocean, so furies and so beautiful … you have done a good through this ordeal and I really like that souvenir you got from the experience – it looks big ?? Also likes Bliss … awe-inspiring.
Merci! Yes, Nature is scary and powerful and so beautiful, too. Just like a woman! FTW
You are so right there, Madame