We experienced a powerful, hours long windstorm this past Friday. There was also rain, but with gusts of over 65mph it was the wind that caused damage. We lost three trees planted over sixteen years ago when we moved here. Two landed close to our neighbor’s garage and fence, but didn’t do any damage. Our heavy iron patio furniture was tossed around like it was made of plastic. We have other trees leaning over with their roots exposed that will have to be removed. Hubby, and friend, and a neighbor spent around six hours on Saturday with a chainsaw and other tools clearing the trees. Needless to say, at the top of my to-do list today is calling a tree guy – me and hundreds of other people, I’m sure.
I learned last week someone had added a Little Library in our neighborhood. I think they’re wonderful and a great way to meet your neighbors and encourage reading. I dropped off copies of each of my books – maybe I’ll find some new readers. You never know.
Last week I mentioned I felt like Book #5 was missing a piece of the plot that tied everything together. Son #2 came over a few days ago to pick up some things. He also writes for his D&D group, so we’ve discussed writing several times over the past few years. I told him my current struggles, we bounced some ideas around, and something he said reminded me of a note I’d made and forgotten about. We cracked it – woohoo! Sometimes you just need that extra nudge from someone else to shake things loose in the brain, I guess.
Have a great week!
Books and Such 
It’s amazing the damage that wind can do. Hope you can find a tree guy. I imagine they will be extremely busy for the foreseeable future. And yay for son #2 helping you make that breakthrough. Have a great week!
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I’m guessing we’ll have to live with the trees for a while, so I’m prepared. Son #2 has helped me out more than once when I was stuck. Even when he was much younger.
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We had similar storms. My pool is overflowing, and our giant trampoline has blown from across the yard to lie in a crumpled heap against the house. Crazy storms. Glad you’re okay. (Sorry about the trees.)
Happy to hear your cracked your plot issues. My kids sometimes help me, too.
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I saw several posts about trampolines found in yards several houses away – same with our trashcan. Seems like it was weird weather across the country over the past several days. Hope your trampoline isn’t a complete loss. Son #2 has always been curious about what I write, so we’ve discussed things for years. You never know what will jog the brain.
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Stay safe, Teri!
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Thanks, Joe! We were safe inside, but our cat kept wanting out on the screened porch during the storm. What a weirdo.
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We got the same storm you did, but a day earlier. About an hour after it passed, I drove to writing group and drove past two tractor trailer accidents. So scary. I was happy to learn that none of the drivers perished.
Pretty cool about bouncing ideas off your son!
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Same thing happened here. A couple of tractor trailers turned over on the interstate, but no one was hurt, thank goodness. Glad you didn’t get any damage, Priscilla.
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Ugh. I’m sorry about the trees and other damage, Teri. We had that kind of wind here almost every day for over a week. It really wears on the nerves. I guess it’s fortunate (for us down here) that it’s generally windy (if not the 70mph we were getting), so any trees that can’t take it, just don’t exist. Or so it seems. I was lucky that the only aftereffects I had were both yards full of tumbleweeds and roofing shingles from the rental house next door. Stay safe. Hugs.
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Sure glad you didn’t have any more damage, Teagan. We’d had heavy rain for a couple nights, so the soft ground also contributed to our trees toppling. Couldn’t believe Bond wanted to go out on the screened porch during all that wind. What a dork he is. Hugs!
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That was some wind!! I love brainstorming with my daughter when I get stuck. She is a potter so very creative and has a different way of looking at things.
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Yes! I think it’s because Son #2 is also creative, Darlene – chef, artist, writer. He’s played D&D for several years and been Dungeon Master, so that also helped.
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I hope you’re able to get everything cleared up fast
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Called a tree guy this morning. They’re taking clients with structural damage first – very understandable – and then others. We’re on the list!
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I’m so sorry about your tree friends…
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We hated losing so many trees, Willow. I’m pretty sure there were some nests in them also, so I’m hoping the birds are okay. Plenty of other trees to relocate to!
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Oh no. Did you find any birds? I guess the “rule” is now to put the babies/nests back up in the trees if the parents are still hanging around…
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We didn’t see any, so I’m hoping that’s a good sign.
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Glad you weren’t hurt in the wind. Also glad you solved the conundrum with your story.
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We’ve gotten strong winds here before, John, but I hadn’t seen anything like this. There was the tornado in 12/21, but we were out of town for that. And such a relief for Book 5!
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Getting something like that solved is a big weight off the shoulders.
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Sure is – I slept like the dead that night, lol.
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I’ll bet
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We had high winds several days ago, but thankfully, no damage. I’m sorry you lost the trees, but I’m glad they didn’t do any additional damage when falling. It’s amazing how powerful extreme weather can be. It fascinates me, and yet frightens me at the same time.
That’s fantastic news with Book #5. Nothing like a good brainstorming session with another writer to get things moving!
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Glad you didn’t have any damage, Mae. Mother Nature sure is powerful at times. Plenty of trees were down – including trampolines and play structures – but no injuries or structural damage. Very grateful for that.
And you’re right about the brainstorming. I’ve done that several times with Son #2 and he’s always helpful.
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Oh no, I’m sorry about your trees but hooray for a breakthrough with writing! Have a great week ❤️
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Kind of a balancing of the scales, good and bad, last week, Caro, lol.
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We had wind and rain today but nothing of this degree.glad nothing was damaged and nobody got hurts in the storm. Congrats on finding the missing piece of the plot.
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We were fortunate to only lose trees, Yesha. So glad they didn’t do any damage to the neighbor’s house. Have a great week!
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That’s why they call it brainstorming ideas Teri! Now that must have been scary to see your trees falling!
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Exactly, Sophie, lol. We didn’t see them fall, but I’m pretty sure I heard them. At one point I thought the garage doors had blown in, but thankfully they didn’t.
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Sounds like a frightening storm, Teri. I’m glad there wasn’t any significant damage. And those little libraries are such fun. Good for you for adding your books. What a great idea. Good news on solving a problem for book #5. There’s nothing like bouncing around ideas with someone who gets it. Congrats!
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I think everyone’s power has been restored – we were fortunate not to have lost ours. I’ve read about more of the little libraries popping up around here, so I may look for more. Thanks, Diana!
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So sad to lose that many trees! I guess you’ll have the chance to be creative in recovering your landscape.
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It’s amazing how the light has changed on that side of the house, Deby. Guess we’ll have a good view of the neighbors for the next several years, lol.
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Weather has been a nightmare for years. Glad everyone is safe. I love the idea of putting your books inside the tiny library. If I had physical books, I’d do it too. Glad you made a plot breakthrough. I need to do something similar and soon.
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Maybe I’ll pick up a few new readers – can’t hurt, I guess. And that plot breakthrough has unlocked all kinds of ideas, Craig. I know you’ll crack yours also – you always do.
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🤞🏻
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Ohhh, the wind witches are upon you! I find those kinds of storms to be exhilarating in a way. Damages are awful. I once had a giant pine tree crash through my living room windows. Shocking! What a lovely patio.
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At our house in SC, we lost eleven pine trees during one storm. One landed on our deck railing, but didn’t do any damage. I can’t imagine a tree crashing through my windows – sure glad no one was injured, Paula. Thanks for the compliment on the patio! We love spending time out there. Maybe I’ll post a pic when it’s cleaned up, lol.
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Wow! Sorry about the wind damage. The tree guys will be busy. Cool idea about the little library. Don’t you love it when those plot breakthroughs come? I’m in dire need of one right now.
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Maybe you should borrow Son #2, Joan, lol. He’s pretty helpful. The tree guys around here are in high demand right now. We’re on the list, so who knows how long it will be. But I’m not complaining. Just lucky there wasn’t any damage.
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HI Teri, that storm sounds rather frightening. I’m glad there was no damage incurred outside of the loss of the trees. Bravo for son #2 and his good advice.
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I’ve never seen winds like that go on for so long, Robbie. It lasted nearly eight hours. I’m sure glad Son #2 has a good imagination.
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Winds are scary with the damage they can do, Teri. Sorry about your trees, but glad you are safe 🙂
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Mother Nature lets you know who’s in charge, that’s for sure, Denise. We’re thankful trees are all we lost.
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Some of these storms have been intense lately. So sorry about the loss of trees!! At least, you guys are safe. I just emailed the HOA last Friday about how to go about adding a Little Library. I know, we can’t add them to our house but maybe they would be willing to put one or we could raise money to put one by the pool or something! I still haven’t heard back… haha!
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That’s a fantastic idea, Leslie – how fun! We also have one at our church and I’ve added my books there. I imagine you wouldn’t have any problem keeping it stocked, lol.
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Haha, no! It would be so much more convenient than having to run them to my library and donate. I have been sharing with my neighbors so that’s helped!
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Glad there wasn’t more damage from the storm, though sorry about the mess and loss of/damage to the trees.
Cool about the little library. Hope dropping your books off there does get you more future readers.
And that’s awesome about the brainstorming unlocking what you needed for your brain to click and give you what you needed for your new book.
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Sorry I’m so late replying, Tori! We were really fortunate there wasn’t more damage. Still waiting to get the debris picked up, but that’s a minor issue. I’m hoping the little library wins me at least a couple new readers – fingers crossed! And since my son and I brainstormed, the ideas just keep coming. Woohoo!
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