It was a dark and stormy night . . .

No really, it was. A thin but intense line of severe thunderstorms abraded its way across the nations mid-section last night. We could hear it coming long before it hit as it rumbled along the cumberland plateau, through the Sequatchie Valley, and then over Signal Mountain where I live.

I'm not really afraid of storms, but having been in a neighborhood destroying tornado at the home of my grandparents in Jonesboro Arkansas in 1972, I take tornado warnings seriously. The images of damage from that childhood storm are still vivid. I remember staring in awe at an entire roof of a home resting in the yard and driveway of another home a block behind us. The corner of the roof had skidded to a stop under the carport, wedging a truck up against the ceiling. The storm had pulled the roof off in one piece and thrown a block away like a frisbee. We were fortunate that only the windows and shingles were destroyed in my grandparents home.

Storm prediction is reasonably accurate these days so I keep an eye on news reports in case I need to rustle everyone into the basement. As last night's storm rolled over our house I heard nothing but thunder, rain and small tree limbs clanging as they landed on the roof of our sun-room. A quick survey of the yard this morning reveals no serious damage.

As the storm passed into the Chattanooga Valley they experienced quite a few downed trees in 50-mph winds and hail.

I was glad the severe weather held off for most of the weekend. I street performed Saturday and Sunday at the Tennessee Aquarium. It was great to be outside playing again and I got to try out my new portable hammer dulcimer which was a hit! I need a name for this thing, portable hammer dulcimer just doesn't do it for me. Any suggestions? Put them in the guest book please.


¶ 8:31 AM