Wow. Just...wow. I don't know if I have the words to adequately explain what happened in to Alabama on Wednesday April 27, 2011. 

 An as yet undetermined number of tornadoes of as yet undetermined strength pulverized huge swaths of the state. Highly populated urban areas as well as entire small towns all over the state were wiped out. There was unfathomable destruction within 20 miles of us in every direction...but we never even lost power. I am SO grateful that I and all of my loved ones are safe, but I feel so much guilt as well. So many lives were lost. HUNDREDS.  So many more lost EVERYTHING. 

The pictures that follow are of debris we found in our yard that night and in the days following. Debris. Things that used to be someone's home. Now, just debris.

The first photo is my outdoor table covered with insulation, shingles, splintered wood, sheetrock, bits of siding, a drawer side (with nails), and part of a door.


What appears to be part of a child's door where their name was written.                                                      

 The third photo is a close up of painted bits of wall and a piece of old linoleum floor.

 Roof shingles of every color.

There is more. There are also photos, personal papers, and insignificant scraps that may have gained significance in their journey.  I'll post about that next.

Easter

These two are so beautiful, they make my field of weeds look good!  

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Tasty Tuesday 02/01/11 Pie

Pecan pie and apple pie from Thanksgiving 2010

Pie. So simple, but it makes my husband so happy.  I made a lemon pie yesterday, but it's gone.  Pie gone, family happy. Simple.

Macro Monday

Beauty!

This was the most exciting thing going on a few weeks ago. Seriously, these tiny green sprouts and a sunny day really went a long way toward lifting my mood. There have been many more since these were taken.

They are the anxiously awaited sprouts of the peas I had planted at the end of February.

Since then there have been many more lovely things to brighten many more days.

Johnny-Jump-Ups

Bluets

Maple tree



Some kind of ornamental pear. (make it big and check out the lichen on the branch)


And of course, Daffodils! I don't know what kind these are, they were here when we got the place. There are several clumps and they are all really double like this.

Credit where credit is due:
With the exception of the peas and the maple, all photos were taken by my dear daughter Charlotte. ( who may have decided to be a photographer for real!)

Wordless Wednesday--Green Velvet Cupcakes With Cream Cheese Frosting

Macro Monday--The Seasons They Are A Changin'

The old gives way to the new...Green things are popping up all over...

and we are looking forward to greener pastures

Give It Away

I wish I had things I could give away to random strangers..... Anyway, here is a super nice person giving away a super neat camera. Yes, I said CAMERA. All my Sunday Stills, Macro Monday, and Wordless Wednesday *peeps* ought to check it out!

And I can't post without a picture, so here is something random.

I Just Love This Cat

She bring us gifts.OK, it wasn't so much a "gift" as my odd, fearless daughter pried it away from her. Why? you may ask...... To take pictures of it , of course.

After some searching of "alabama rodents" I finally identified it as....

a Pine Vole.

I had never seen one before. Have you?

Macro Monday--Signs of Life!

Autumn Joy sedum
More like Spring joy! Oh yea!

Wood Ducks!

We had some unusual visitors this week. Hello cutie!

Isn't he handsome?

Such a cute couple!

(these are all shots of the same two ducks-- not a whole flock or anything)
According to one of my bird books, Wood Ducks are considered one of the most beautiful birds in North America! It doesn't say by whom. They are in fact quite striking. These pictures (captured by my dear daughter Charlotte) were taken from my garden about 100 feet or so from the pond. They may not be postcard quality but I sure am glad she got them!

Macro Monday--Yummy in my Tummy!

Wordless Wednesday

Macro Monday--Happy Birthday to me!

A big "thank you" to my Mom for bringing me this yummy birthday cake!