When we came back from town (20 miles away) yesterday (6/22/01) We were met with devastation. 10 of our big oak trees were down. Our 100 year old popular had been stripped of all its branches. Our fence has multiple pines laying on it. Had we been at home my truck would have been crunched as one of the popular limbs (7" round) was laying where the cab would have been.

Well the GOOD news is all the animals survived. The new kittens got more of a bath than they would ever want. The dogs ran under the house so they fared well. Damage to the home was minimal. Our front porch tin roof took some hits but survived. Out buildings lost a few shingles but basically are ok.

What blows our minds is that our neighbor "slept" through the storm. He didn't hear a thing.

Well that will teach us. WE went out to the movies for the first time this year. Kind of a belated birthday present to my 7 year old. Its amazing how much can change in 4 hours. We felt like we had been gone a year.

Hope all here are doing well.

-- Kenneth in N.C. (wizardsplace13@hotmail.com), June 23, 2001

Answers

Glad to hear no one was hurt in the storm.

By the way, how was the movie? My hubby is a movie buff- I buy him discount movie passes for every holiday. We saw Pearl Harbor the other day, wonderful movie. My favorite tho was Shrek.

Stacy Rohan in Upstate NY

-- Stacy Rohan (KincoraFarm@aol.com), June 23, 2001.

That'll teach you! Work hard at your homestead, and when it is time to go out and celebrate don't let anything stop you.

Aren't you glad you aren't shopping for a new truck (or trying to get the current one repaired back to it's condition?

Rick in Maryland

-- rick K (rick_122@hotmail.com), June 23, 2001.

It's probably a mixed blessing that you weren't home during the storm! If you're like me you might have been running around out in it trying to make certain the animals were o.k. and might possibly have gotten injured (or worse) yourselves!

We're thankful your damage wasn't worse! suzy

-- Suzy in Bama (slgt@yahoo.com), June 23, 2001.

I'm so sorry about your trees, that's heartbreaking. Glad you all and the critters are allright.

-- Cindy in KY (solid_rock_ranch@yahoo.com), June 23, 2001.

Thanks everyone.

Yes were glad were not shopping for a truck or trying to repair the dodge.

The Movie "Doctor Dolittle 2" was an enjoyable movie. Now that Eddy Murphy has regained his 'movie sense' I feel sure he'll make his 5-10 million every year or so. The movie had no cursing, was child friendly and even managed to throw in a ecological twist. It gets a thumbs up from both my wife and daughter (7).

-- Kenneth in N.C. (wizardsplace13@hotmail.com), June 23, 2001.

That is so interresting, as today I went to the movies for the first time in almost a year, and watched Dr Dolittle 2. I came away with a very different opinion, as I was very disgusted. It is inundated with sexual stuff, far too sex-oriented for kids. Did you listen to the lyrics on those songs? They were very explicit. My hubby is usually more "liberal" in this than I am, and even he was turned off, giving it a thumbs down.

-- daffodyllady (daffodyllady@yahoo.com), June 23, 2001.

Kenneth, where are you in NC? We too had a rough storm. We are in the Sandhills. We were at our farm and we decided to sit and wait it out and when we did decide to leave there was a tree down across the road.

Glad you are all safe and sound. Everything else can be replaced!!

-- Debbie T in N.C. (rdtyner@mindspring.com), June 23, 2001.

That movie is full of sexual innuendo and worse. Definitely not a good influence to expose a child to. Maybe that was Gods way of sending you a warning.

-- Mike (mhunt99@aol.com), June 23, 2001.

Kenneth, I am glad you missed the worry and fear that a storm like that brings. I know how I panic when we get storms here, and we get NOTHING compared to what you described. (except lots of rain and wind and then it floods) I am glad you enjoyed the movie. I had heard both pros and cons about it. As for the last post, how was that judgement made? Did you see the movie or did someone tell you about it? It you saw it, what did God do to punish YOU for watching it? It you took someone else's word for it, How do you know that they just didn't have dirty minds and took everything wrong? I have watched movies with my niavite and had no idea there was more than surface value there. Again, Kenneth and family, glad you and yours are safe and that you had a good time at the movies. God has more to do than punish a family for a trip to the wrong movie! (He isn't as petty as some people would like to make Him). Hope you find a way to replant with the just the right fast growing trees. I know that's something that would break my heart. We lost several to disease and old age in the past few years and I can't get used to the bare spaces. Good luck and God bless. Betty

-- betty modin (betty_m9@yahoo.com), June 24, 2001.

Debbie T in N.C. were on the nc/sc line off 161 Nearest town Kings Mountain. Glad you waited out the storm.

Remember Folks if you ask me for My opinion You'll get it. WE still liked the movie.

If you don't believe the Creator has a sense of humor You haven't looked in the mirror lately. And no I don't believe the Creator is petty. Nuff said.

Have a great day. The sun is shinning and within moments of this post the chain saw will once again be running.

-- Kenneth in N.C. (wizardsplace13@hotmail.com), June 25, 2001.