Found Outside Here

NO IDEA how that happened...

Almost Ready...

Taking Vango out for the first time next weekend. Can't wait!

Interesting Twist

Just talked to the neighbor who came to our rescue after the lightning strike. He's living here temporarily because his home recently burned down. I said I was surprised he was so calm under the circumstances, and he responded, "I just couldn't let that happen again. How's the van?" (He's a car guy.) So we brought him some treats for game viewing this weekend and a couple lottery cards. We figure we already struck it lucky on Tuesday night...

Hol-ee Cr@p BANG!!!

With thunderstorms rolling in last night, I was watching the weather radar with Holly bundled on my lap. Suddenly there was the loudest noise I ever heard. My poor scaredy-cat dog levitated and went rigid, and I was quite concerned that she was going to die on the spot. The power was still on, but I got up to check on things. When I looked out the front window, I saw a neighbor running down the street screaming, “Call 911! Call 911!” As I reached for my phone, he was banging on my front door: “Call 911! FIRE!!!” I called dispatch and was asked what was burning and where. I headed outside to try to answer her questions and saw a massive fire ball right beside the garage. I initially thought the van had been hit but squinting hard I realized it was the pampas grass on fire. And there was the same neighbor trying to put it out with the garden hose. He directed me to move the van away from the inferno, which I somehow managed to do with the curtains drawn and the door open, in case I needed a speedy exit. All the emergency vehicles in the county were soon lining the street. The fire fighters could not believe that the lightning did not strike two very tall trees right next to the pampas grass—or that the house was not burning. They insisted on going through the entire structure with a thermal detector just to be sure. This morning we have a hole in the ground and seared leaves up to about 30’ on the nearest tree. The lightning strike fried some of our electrical and technology and knocked out cable and internet service to the entire neighborhood. We realize it could have been much worse, however, as it struck right by the van and our underground propane tank. That was easily one of the most harrowing nights of my life, and I have a new-found respect and fear for lightning. I am shaken, rattled, and stirred.