Checking In

Irene has come and gone. We had 3 inches of rain and lots and lots of wind. Tree limbs down everywhere but the only thing damaged from them were a couple of empty cages and Tramp's doghouse. Poor Tramp had a tree limb go right through the roof of his house and doesn't even have homeowners insurance. LOL That's okay though as he has another doghouse right next door that is empty to move into. The ground is covered in leaves and acorns. Can hardly see the ground but I look at it as that is that many less to fall this fall. The tree limbs that fell were oak and they were loaded with acorns so am thinking it might be a nice cold winter since mother nature is giving the squirrels extra food to store. Another thing I noticed was Irene was blowing everything around and bending the trees in all directions but the squirrels nests didn't move at all. Not a single one fell from the trees or even looked touched at all. Maybe we should learn how to build a house from the squirrels. But most of the limbs have been cut up and stacked for winter firewood. The green leaves and acorns we fed to the goats and pigs. They were in heaven. I still have lots of raking and cleaning up to do but it will get done in time to start raking fall leaves I am sure. All the animals did really well during the storm. There was a big limb fell on the teen chickens house. I am sure it scared them but didn't hurt the house or them. I forgot to take the ferns hanging across the front of the house down and two of them got blown down but are fine and ready to hang back up. The weatherman says there are two more storms out there. Jose and I forgot the other one. It was a tongue twister name. Jose is suppose to turn east out to sea but the other one we have to watch. All the hurricanes that were really big and did the most damage in NC came in September so will keep the emergency supplies packed and be hurricane ready till November.While I was home entertaining Irene all my classmates were celebrating our 40th class reunion. I have loved seeing all the photos and reading all the fun they had. Some went down sliding rock (we use to do that when we were 40 years younger) and there is a video. Will try to post it later. The water at sliding rock stays 32 degrees year round and takes your breath away when you hit the water at the bottom of sliding rock. I hope they do this at our next reunion so I can join in! Anyways just letting you know Irene said goodnight with little problems and to remind you to count those blessings!!