Calm Before the Storm

First, some prayers are asked. 

This afternoon, everything went dark here, computer off, tv off, lights off. 

Keith happened to be coming home from the post and called me to 

say there was a terrible wreck a mile from us, at a dangerous intersection. 

A van had crashed into a pole, and broken the pole.  

Someone in the van was killed, and others had to be extricated. 

So, prayers for the poor families whose lives changed today. 

We went four hours without power... and 

five or more without internet, nothing compared to how 

those family's lives have changed forever. 

The dogs and I traveled around yesterday after Tuesday 

night's rains to see what we could see. 

There is water in the little pond again. 

This guy had a perch on the top of an electric pole in the pasture, where he could see 

far and wide. 

I saw this pretty girl in a pasture... and I saw some more trying to cross a road, but when they saw me 

coming, they faded back into the woods.  

We walked a mile yesterday and today.  Jester looks kind of sad about it, doesn't he? 

Our creeks are running like wild rivers.  I did not try to get near one I usually photograph. 

This is why it was closed... water over the roadway between fields, and water over the bridge.  That's a hill coming down to the bridge, and it's hard to turn around over there... I'm glad I erred on the side of caution and did not come that way. 

That's actually about a half mile from where I was sitting in the car. 

I'm going to warn you to not look at the rest of the post, if you are squeamish. 

This guy was on a long-dead possum on a road near our house. 

These birds are so helpful, ridding us of roadside bodies. 

When he had finished, there was nothing left but the fur. 

Lilly did not want to get out of the car after we walked yesterday. 

I had to leave her out there for 45 minutes, even with the leash she would not come. 

She had chased a rabbit earlier, and I am thinking that that effort cost her. 

I think she is hurting. 

She takes Rimadyl for arthritic pain. 

We are walking pretty slowly these days. 

Here is a happier bird picture for you... this is a family at the Ag Hall.  There are five goslings. 

They were happily following along with mom and dad. 

The pond there is overflowing, too. 

We are expecting at least another inch of rain on 

Saturday. 

I leave you with a last happy picture. 

Do you see him watching me???

I had to crop this way down so you could see him. 

There is another one on the left.  

I am so glad Big Mama had another successful hatch!