Lightening Strikes

In mid-August, when we were here, in Atlanta, apartment hunting, we stayed with SB’s cousin. Every afternoon a huge thunderstorm would roll through the city, with high winds and torrential rains. Then it would clear up, the sun coming out and the steam rising.

One afternoon, tired out from the hunt, we were sitting in the dining room, browsing ads in the paper, while the cousin’s chihuahuas vied for a spot on my lap. Both dogs fought for my attention every moment I was there. I’ve never been so popular.

The afternoon thunderstorm brewed outside and the lightening seemed to be getting closer and closer. BAM!!! Stunned I watched as tree started coming right at me, through the window. I jumped up, puppy in arms and started to run for the other room, yelling “Get away from the window!” “Get away!”

SB and his cousin had rushed to the window to see what was happening with the tree. I was convinced it was going to come crashing through the roof and the window, killing us all. The little puppies were shaking with fear, as were we all.

Then there was a moment of silence and the smell of burning, followed by more wrenching, cracking noises as the tree completed it’s fall, landing along the side of the house.

We inspected the house, making sure there was no damage and stared in amazement out the windows at this giant, at least 30 feet, of tree that had almost taken us out.

I took a couple photos of the tree, after some of the branches had been cleaned up.