Lions, Lambs, Tornadoes and Fires…Oh, My!
I don’t know whether to consider March in like a lion or a lamb.
Today, officially March 1 is beautiful and sunny, with a high expected of around 70 degrees.
If it weren’t for Leap Year, yesterday would have been March 1 and if that had happened, definitely in like a Lion.
Most of you probably have heard, – or may have even been affected by – the storms that began Tuesday as a huge snowstorm elsewhere, but as the storm headed south and hit warmer air, it really turned deadly, hitting 9 states with severe storms and tornadoes.
The tornadoes were only an hour to our northeast, in Branson, Mo., which took a direct hit to the downtown area, where Dale and I typically stay and play.
The Convention Center Hilton, where we stay when we want a little getaway, and where we all gathered for Dale’s 50th Birthday bash was hit and sustained major damage. The Branson Landing, where we go to shop, and where one of Dale’s favorite BBQ places is, also was hit.
Unfortunately, the area was preparing for a huge fishing tournament this weekend, a bread and butter industry for business during the off tourist season. Fortunately, there were only two fatalities in the Ozarks, many less than when the tornado hit Joplin last year.
Tuesday was also the day the Corps of Engineers put on a “controlled burn” in the woods across the cove from Our Little House. While the fires were probably a good 5 miles away, by evening, the thick haze had wrapped our mountain in a thick, choking haze.
When I walked home from The Belle Writer’s Studio Tuesday evening, the smoke stung my eyes and was bitter in my throat.
Molly, our little red wiener dog that has a heart condition, didn’t do well that night due to the smoke in the air and the humidity from the storm, but we all had trouble sleeping anyway with the wild winds and deafening thunder.
Let’s hope the fires and the tornadoes won’t make a reappearance anytime soon.
Did the storms affect you in any way?
What terrible weather. Here in the Northeast we’ve had an unusually and very strangely unseasonably warm winter. It’s crazy. The environment seems in disarray. Glad you guys have fared well.
So, so sorry to hear about the devastation of those storms. Even though we rarely experience that kind of weather phenomena, we do pray for those that do.
That’s about all that can be done, Heather. Like my mother always said, “We cannt control the weather.”
We had wicked weather last night–my kiddos couldn’t get to sleep with all of the thunder and lightning. Thankfully, no tornadoes.
Glad everyone made it through the night!
We are having feeble snow in Boston. It has been such a weird winter. I’m wondering whether the summer will be warmer than usual, too.
One thing I think we can count on is more bugs.
What Alisa said. I remember hearing this and kind of living by it, in NY, as a kid. I was always hoping to be able to wear knee socks by the end of March…it didn’t always happen, but a girl can hope!
Knee socks by end of March. I was always hoping to be able to wear shorts by then too!
Isn’t it funny that we think of March with this lion lamp mindset? I remember learning about it in second grade and it has stuck with me to this day.
Yes, I never forgot it either, obviously. 😉
The weather has been crazy all over. Mildest winter possibly ever up here in Michigan, though we did have an ice storm yesterday, so I’m not sure if that makes it a lion or a lamb here… Yesterday was crazy. Today was mild. I think it was mild at midnight, so I guess we’re a lamb going into March.
Sounds like it, I hope it stays that way!
If it weren’t leap year … I can’t help it. That phrase makes me think of one of my favorite sayings: If your aunt had balls, she’d be your uncle.
Now I will sit in the corner and be quiet.
You always make me laugh, Ruth! 🙂
We received an inch of rain yesterday, but I’m well northeast of you, so who knows what it’ll look like when it gets here. I’ll probably manifest itself as the warm rain we’re getting on Saturday.
Glad you all made it through.
These storms were moving pretty quickly, Mat. I think that was the system you saw yesterday. What you’re getting on Saturday, I think, is what they’re predicting for us tomorrow.
They’re talking about a 50-degree deluge on Saturday and flurries for Sunday. Crazy!
I’m glad you and Dale and the “kids” are all okay, Kerri! The storm blew through here on Tuesday night and had us worried for a bit that we might need to grab the pets and head for the storm shelter, but it passed pretty quickly. I have always loved extreme weather- loud crashing thunderstorms, blizzards and drenching downpours. We went outside on our deck when the wind first came up. Trees were waving and bending wildly from the force of the gusts. The loud rushing sound of it sent our cats scurrying for cover under the couch where they crouched wide eyed until things settled down. Extreme weather always leaves me feeling awed by the power and force of nature, but of course I am saddened at the destruction of property and loss of lives. I suspect that my love of storms might be diminished if I had ever suffered the loss of my home or lost a loved one to the ravages of a tornado. Hope that all those affected will be able to start rebuilding and healing in the weeks ahead.
They say those storms were moving at 60 mph! I had taken sleeping herbs, but the thunder was really crashing here. I once worked with a woman who shared with us that thunder storms increased her libido. She always had a huge smile on her face the morning after! 😉
Hahaha- well I think loud, scary storms are exciting but must admit they’ve never affected me quite that way. I’ll bet that woman’s husband payed close attention to weather reports! 😉
LOL, I’m sure you’re right, Kathleen!
Such terrible weather! I hope it is over for everyone in that area. Here in Buffalo we are expecting it to be 52 tomorrow which will be nice.
More storms predicted for tomorrow, Brette, but not as bad as Tuesday, they say.
I have been thinking of you, Kerri, as I hear about those storms. Glad you are OK.Hope you stay safe.
Altho today is, apparently, the meteorological beginning of spring (and who knew there was such a thing?), we are far from your 70F (21C – I had to convert it bec I don’t understand fahrenheit). We are minus 8C (17.6F according to my converter) so warm weather is still a ways off. Still, I’ll take winter and snowstorms over tornadoes any day!
Yes, Olivia, sometimes there are worse things than snow. I forgot about that meteorlogical start of spring, I had never heard that either.
I’ve been keeping those in the path of that storm in my prayers. We had the winds and thunder but fortunately no funnel clouds in my area of North-Central Indiana. We are expecting more severe storms again on Friday. Keeping my fingers crossed that it isn’t any worse than the other night in my area. Glad you all are safe!
Glad to hear that about your area, Heather. We are expecting the same storms. Although here, they say no tornadoes this time, but possibly hail.