Yesterday we dismissed early because of an impending storm. Thunder and lightning and winds of destruction are a fact of life in Oklahoma, but our safety has become somewhat more assured by improvements in storm prediction and tracking. Advance warning enables us to do things like send our students home early to be with their parents or keep them in our “safe room”. Advance warning allows people time to seek shelter in cellars and basements. Technology is changing the way people once faced the challenges of spring storms. There was even a report on the news last night of a company that is building steel framed homes that can withstand winds of 100mph. However, nature often trumps our genius and property and lives are taken from us despite our precautions.
So spring remains one of our annual challenges. And even if we have ample warning before a tornado, sometimes nothing can prevent the awful experience of driving home in the heavy rains that precede it. Yesterday I started home in a light mist which soon turned into increasingly heavier rain. I was soon driving 40-50mph in a torrential downpour, accentuated by hail, and praying each time I saw a truck in my rear view mirror. When I finally made it to the Caddo exit and turned west I drove almost immediately into sunshine and blue skies. Didn’t even need my wipers!
Gary greeted me with, “Hey, you just missed the storm!” Not exactly.
After three cups of coffee I walked around and took these photos. The plants are happy that they got some much-needed rain. I just wish we had gotten it in hours, not minutes!
Stay safe!

Your flowers are beautiful!
For all the impatience I have with the cold and snow here, I do not miss the terrifying storms of Oklahoma. I miss the rain, but the scary stuff? No, I guess I'll keep my forever long winters.
Glad to know you're safe. Must help to have a great big truck.
Posted by: Megan | March 09, 2011 at 08:12 AM
so Adorable flowers I like it very much really all the photos of flowers is very very beautiful.
Thank you for the sharing with us.
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