I’ve often wondered if everyone is tuned into the ebbs and flows of Mother Nature as much as a farmer. I’m sure people are, but through my life experience lens knowing weather signs without the aid of a computer, cell phone or weather radio was and is vital. Country living doesn’t lend itself to reliable early warnings.
We learned early on what a drop or spike in temperature meant, what a storm or spring rain smelled like and what the rush and tear of the wind could do. We watched the skies always. The color of the clouds was a great indicator of what was coming.
We had an action plan. First take the horses from the front pasture to the back pasture. Put away any garden equipment and lawn furniture. Close up the shed doors, the garage doors, the barn doors. Then, gather on our sun porch and wait.
Right. I know. Not smart, but it was a great place from which to watch the weather and we never once evacuated to the basement. Thank you Lord.
I married a weather watcher. If My Farmer wasn’t a farmer he’d be a storm chaser. He stands in the yard, bent against the wind watching, feeling, observing and will come inside saying, “It won’t be much.” And a few seconds later, it isn’t.
He’s taught me about the clouds, their shapes, colors and movement. Just this little extra knowledge is comforting when I’m home alone with the kids and a weather event begins. Like yesterday. We watched the rain race across the neighbor’s field and slam into our house with crashing force. We stepped back from the windows, shuddered as the lights flickered and then exhaled. It was just a storm.
But for so many yesterday, it wasn’t just a storm and knowing the weather wasn’t going to help save anything but lives.
As is the case with natural disasters a steady presence of prayers and concentrated, coordinated efforts to help are the things that will rebuild communities and families.
Stay up to date with several community relief efforts via facebook.
- Washington IL Tornado Recovery
- Washington & Central Illinois Tornado Relief & Recovery
- Tazewell County Document & Photograph Recovery
- Illinois Tornado Recovery
If you know of others, please add them in the comments section below.
Read more 30 Days of Farm Girl Memories
- Kick-off
- Day 1: Surprise Kittens
- Day 2: The Men in My Life
- Day 3: Small Town Saturday Night
- Day 4: “Fall”ing in Love
- Day 5: A Bag of Caramels
- Day 6: Chores in the Dark
- Day 7: Things My Mother Said
- Day 8: Munchy Cheese
- Day 9: Super Swiffer Saturday
- Day 10: Dad’s Church
- Day 11: Kansas City, Then & Now
- Day 12: Video #Throwback: Field Meals
- Day 13: Eggs in A Nest
- Day 14: Baling
- Day 15: The Popcorn Stand
- Day 17: Popping Up Memories
And find other 30 Day bloggers starting with the one who got us into this – Holly Spangler from My Generation.
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