I don't know if you read or heard about the dozens of tornadoes that tore through the states of Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio. The string of massive tornado-producing thunderstorms ended up killing 37 people and caused so much devastation that people had lost hundreds of their homes and countless businesses and other structures. What makes this a close subject to my heart is the fact that several of these tornadoes came dangerously close to me, my family and friends and killed a good many of the people in the general area, where I live.
You can click this link for a large part of what happened exactly, here, and other states.
It was so bad, the National Guard were called in to help out, clear debris and keep spectators away from the havoc-stricken towns.
Some of these real life horror stories I've known for some time now. But there are a few that I didn't find out until today. Like the grandmother who had closed herself off in her closet for fear of being wiped out by an oncoming tornado that day. The tornado passed by her house, luckily but she was found in that closet four days later, dead from dehydration. I'm not sure if she couldn't get out or that she stayed in the closet for fear of her life. You would think, after a couple hours or a day, at the most, she would have left. Maybe she was disabled, mentally or physically.
But it does make you think. Death can come to you at any time and in ways you least suspect. I don't fret about this aspect of life much or hardly at all but I think young people, who often believe themselves to be somewhat invulnerable, should give it some thought.
There's also the story of a toddler that miraculously stayed alive after it's entire family was killed by a tornado. The house it lived in was obliterated, as well. It was critically injured and taken to the hospital. It lived for several days until it, too, died from injuries from one of the destructive tornadoes.
What is inspiring is that though the tornadoes killed over three dozen people and caused so much devastation, people everywhere volunteered to help. A lot of businesses and churches, of course, collected donations from people empathizing with the plight and tragedy of those dishearteningly affected. I feel sorry for people in life-shattering situations. The Japan and Haiti tsunami /earthquake victims, for instance.
But people came to help out in those incidents, as well. Sometimes it's easy to forget the good in people. The media doesn't make it any easier. But they do report the good that people do every so often. They should promote those stories more often but we all know, according to them, that misery sells.
I went to one of my favorite parks the other day, after the onslaught of tornadoes the day before, with a friend. We drove around and I got some nice shots and a few videos with my new digital camera. I've included a video and various photos there of that day. While there, I thought, So this is the calm after the storm. You could feel the analogy and see the analogy, simultaneously.
If this isn't a scene of peace and serenity, I don't know what is. Check out my video of the park dam below. You can really hear the wind blowing hard that day. But when you see the sun trying to and succeeding in getting through those clouds and you listen to the water, it can soothe you. Nature, I believe, and as I've pointed out before, is a true doctor and nurturer of your spirit, at times.
You can click this link for a large part of what happened exactly, here, and other states.
It was so bad, the National Guard were called in to help out, clear debris and keep spectators away from the havoc-stricken towns.
Some of these real life horror stories I've known for some time now. But there are a few that I didn't find out until today. Like the grandmother who had closed herself off in her closet for fear of being wiped out by an oncoming tornado that day. The tornado passed by her house, luckily but she was found in that closet four days later, dead from dehydration. I'm not sure if she couldn't get out or that she stayed in the closet for fear of her life. You would think, after a couple hours or a day, at the most, she would have left. Maybe she was disabled, mentally or physically.
But it does make you think. Death can come to you at any time and in ways you least suspect. I don't fret about this aspect of life much or hardly at all but I think young people, who often believe themselves to be somewhat invulnerable, should give it some thought.
There's also the story of a toddler that miraculously stayed alive after it's entire family was killed by a tornado. The house it lived in was obliterated, as well. It was critically injured and taken to the hospital. It lived for several days until it, too, died from injuries from one of the destructive tornadoes.
What is inspiring is that though the tornadoes killed over three dozen people and caused so much devastation, people everywhere volunteered to help. A lot of businesses and churches, of course, collected donations from people empathizing with the plight and tragedy of those dishearteningly affected. I feel sorry for people in life-shattering situations. The Japan and Haiti tsunami /earthquake victims, for instance.
But people came to help out in those incidents, as well. Sometimes it's easy to forget the good in people. The media doesn't make it any easier. But they do report the good that people do every so often. They should promote those stories more often but we all know, according to them, that misery sells.
I went to one of my favorite parks the other day, after the onslaught of tornadoes the day before, with a friend. We drove around and I got some nice shots and a few videos with my new digital camera. I've included a video and various photos there of that day. While there, I thought, So this is the calm after the storm. You could feel the analogy and see the analogy, simultaneously.
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| a ray of light such as this is like a ray of hope or a scene that induces relief within |
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| I took this shot because I thought it looked cool. |
You'll hear a lot of wind in these videos and you'll also note that while I'm filming, I'm also walking (so you kind of feel like you're walking with me- that's the whole idea) and maybe you'll hear me breathing a little hard. Ya gotta remember folks: My footsies are deformed (inoperable heel spurs, enuinos foot deformity, and foot neuropathy). That means I kind of walk "funny." And yes, for those ready to give me unsolicited advice, I already do what I can to lessen the pain and other shit. This has been with me for decades so I'm an old veteran of such shit. I was bullied for that "funny walking" crap, among other things, when I was a kid. As you may or may not know, that bullying crap leaves scars in your psyche- but it can also make you stronger, of course. That's an issue I plan on writing about someday but not today.
Plus, I'll mention here that I have high blood pressure, along with diabetes, so it might explain the heavy breathing part you hear throughout the videos. Please, no gratuitous sexual innuendo/joke needed here- unless it's funny enough. :) I figure somebody who can have as sick as sense of humor I can have will say something. You're welcome to it. :)
And yes, I'm doing what I can about those other previously mentioned maladies, too. High BP and type 2 diabetes and so on AND SO FORTH. No lectures. I believe I'll take this meaningful moment to scratch my ass and go on.
But I get through it all. I've learned to deal with it like I've had to deal with my Major Depressive disorder.
In any case, I get through my daily walks, stopping every so often from some pain and I get to look at peaceful, stress lessening scenes like the videos show below. Enjoy the serenity. Take a walk with me.
I come down to this part of the park, often. I'll sit in the gazebo, sometimes and contemplate ideas, feelings and just enjoy the atmosphere.
You know, no matter what destructive or painful events happen in your life or the lives of others, there always seems to be that ray of light or that calm after the storm. Take care, folks. Just as importantly taking care of yourself and other folks in need, try to gain wisdom from other's experiences through reading and learning about them and gain strength from those experiences when you can.
Now look who's lecturing! Hahaha.
Ooops. I forgot to include the Venison Stew recipe I promised to give last time. Oh well. Next time. Bambi is dandy in a stew. Have I said that before?
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