Crazy Winds and Lonely Flowers

Last fall we had a big wind storm that resulted in power outages all over the region and tons of downed trees (months after the storm, tree services were STILL busy clearing away damaged and downed trees).  During that storm one of our large old pine trees was split vertically up the trunk.  In the wind, it groaned, creaked, and popped...those sounds you hear before a tree goes down.  This tree was located in just the right spot to land on our garage, possibly into the kitchen, or a propane tank - depending on which way the wind was blowing.  We were able to remove the danger that evening, but the event triggered our plans to have many of the tall "soldier pines" removed from our property.

This past week we had a similar wind storm, but with no trees near the house to fall down we didn't have anything to worry about.  In the morning, after a long night of howling winds, we woke to this sight out the back windows.  The table and all six chairs had blown off the deck, including the 75 pound base that holds the umbrella.  The swing had slid over and off the edge of the deck, and the grill rolled until the the gas line it was tethered by stopped it.  One of the chairs even made it way off into the formerly forested area.

Despite the high winds, this sunflower remains steady.  This area of the yard was once filled with soldier pines and other trees which we had removed back in June.  After a summer of sunshine this area is starting to show signs of new life and this lonely sunflower is a bright spot.  He stands alone, but sure is pretty out there.