Tales of a British expat, transplanted into the lush Tennessee countryside. Lover of old, time-worn, and antique. Tea-drinker, flower-grower, animal-nurturer.
I used to walk these paths in my homeland, I knew every nook and cranny.
Nowadays, it's all about driving everywhere, we miss out on so much life around us.
I think of this Beatrix Potter quote often, and smile.
“Thank God I have the seeing eye, that is to say, as I lie in bed I can walk step by step on the fells and rough land seeing every stone and flower and patch of bog and cotton pass where my old legs will never take me again.” ~Beatrix Potter
I'm grateful today for blue skies and sunshine, eighty one degrees of the stuff, begging me to spend the afternoon pottering in the garden.
Weed-pulling has begun, and grass-mowing is scheduled.
Two portly kitties are at my side rolling in the sweet Spring grass, not a care in the world, oblivious to all the turmoil.
Life goes on......
Whilst we slept Monday night, a monster was lurking.
Beginning in the western part of the state, by the time it had reached Nashville it had swelled to an F3 tornado, sporting 150 mile per hour winds, and rapidly moving east.
Our county borders Nashville's county, and the tornado barreled down Interstate 40 destroying everything in it's path.
25 lives have been lost, scores unaccounted for, schools, businesses and homes destroyed.
The monster continued on it's path for 51 miles, and developed into an F4 with sustaining winds of 165-175 miles per hour.
We are one of the lucky ones, with no damage or injuries, but ooh, it is so hard to be grateful, when all around our little city, people are hurting.
The turnout of volunteers and agencies is incredible, it will take some time, we will rebuild, but for now it is one day at a time neighbor helping neighbor.
Your prayers would be greatly appreciated.
#Tennessee Strong.
