This was a big old pine tree that drove us nuts with pine tar. Still, it provided a lot of shade at the top of the driveway, so we tolerated it. Monday night, around 9:30, it came crashing down, right by our bedroom window. We were so lucky! Not only did we survive without any hurt to ourselves, but even the house survived. yep we'll need a new roof, plus 3 of the attic beams need to be rebuilt, but no windows broken on the house, no power lines taken down, just a large pine mess.
I recently read a blog in which someone felt that the government should not provide aid to those surviving natural disasters. The writer felt that we should take care of ourselves in terms of putting food and other supplies by. That's all well and good, but if you could see the devastation that Sandy has caused in New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut, you would not feel that way. People have lost everything, and I do mean everything. Houses, belongings, cars, not to mention lives lost. Floods where no floods had been before, towns under water, raw sewage, fires, you can't believe it if you have not seen it. We suffered a tree down, but we're fine, and so is the house. We have insurance and that'll be OK. But we are just a tiny pebble in a mountain of misery. We're very lucky that we don't need help, but thousands do.
I have to say that our local, state and fed governments have been wonderful. First responders are amazing people. Utilities from all over the country are here helping us out. People helping people. That's what it's all about.
Scrabblequeen - Thank you for your very kind words. We are beyond lucky. That tree really could have killed us or smooshed Shel's car. Happiness is being alive and well!
