HOUSTON DERECHO AND DAMAGE UPDATE

So...according to the National Weather Service, NW parts of Houston (and the area around the farm) were hit by an EF1 tornado.  What hit the city of Houston (and downtown) was a "derecho".  It's the first ever recorded derecho in Texas.  There was one years back that went through NE Texas but started along the state line and moved into Arkansas and other states.  None ever recorded here.  We basically got hit Unlucky us.

Picture heavy post and as always, click any to enlarge.

Getting out of downtown Saturday was quite the adventure.  These are just two of the numerous office buildings with windows gone...

...and many streets closed off because they are littered with broken glass and glass still falling from buildings.

Also, with so many places without power, that meant gas stations that were open, if you could find one, had lines around the block.  Thankfully I had filled up the day before the storm.

The roads around the farm were tricky in a few spots but the county had moved most of the debris out of the way.  In this picture you can see where the tree had actually gone all the way across the road.  Lots of places like that but they made room and since not much traffic in a rural area, it was easy to get around the spots that still had trees on the side of the road.

This one is across the street from us.

This was just one section but a neighbor's fence is down in multiple sections...

This was a BIG tree on the way there.  The split part was across the road and had not been moved yet, so we had to use a different road.

This tree is on the corner of our property along the road where it joins with another neighbor.

Once we got to the driveway, this greeted us.  It is the entrance fence that 2nd Family put up a few years back.  The one on the other side of the driveway that matches was fine and still intact. 

Here's the front yard (note where I stopped mowing last week when the belt broke, it's all catching up, ha).  At least the buildings were undamaged.

We walked around them up close to make sure and they are good, no shingles were missing.

But as for the house...

Five shingles here...

...and three in the back yard.  At least these are the ones that we could FIND, who knows where some may have ended up.

But, it's an old house and the wood is SO hard in the attic and ceiling there was zero water in.  It is not something we will need to worry about at this point.

Here's a tree on the property next to us.  Yikes!

We roamed around a bit to see what we could see on our property...

A lot of limbs and branches lying around and we picked up what we could.  In this one, do you see the little thing right there in the middle of the picture?

Here it is up close...

A perfect little bird's nest!

No babies and no eggs.  We looked around.  It had been a couple of days at this point so if anything was there, they were long gone.  I saved the nest, not sure why.  2nd Man said "why are you keeping that?" and I said I wasn't sure, so I put it on the porch in a clay pot and put a saucer on top to keep it safe.

This is behind the orchard.  This mesquite tree lost its branches. I've been meaning to cut this down so I guess nature gave me a head start, ha.

We lost this big one.

And this one that is along one of the trails I mow.  I guess I'll have to go a different route for the time being.

And this one as well.  There are probably many more around the acres we can't get to and I'll find some while mowing I'm sure. 

Check this out!  We have NO idea where this came from, we have nothing like this and from what we know, none of nearby neighbors do.  But dang, flying sheet metal would be EXTREMELY dangerous.  Yikes!

And here is the biggest damage we ended up with:

Lost the fence to the garden in this spot and one other along the back (I forgot to get a picture of).  We aren't doing a garden this year (and didn't last because of the drought) so I'll work on this as time permits. It was time to clean it up anyway.

So anyway, that is the Houston Derecho of 2024.  We had straight line winds of 100mph+ move across miles and miles of Houston, from the suburbs, across the heart of the city, downtown and out the other side.  It was like a 30 minute Cat 2 hurricane.

Seven fatalities...1,000,000 people without power at the peak...250,000 still without power today...and preliminary damage estimates of between five and seven billion dollars.

So now we have to worry about tropical storms, hurricanes, tornadoes and derechos.

GOOD FOOD AND HOBART SUNDAY

 What a last few days it has been. Went to the farm yesterday, as a preview, everything was mostly good, house and outbuildings.  Big photo update on tomorrow's post.

We made some chicken legs in the oven, skinless and covered with some chili powder from New Mexico (courtesy of my wonderful boss).  I made the corn and black bean salad that has quickly become 2nd Man's favorite now.  Of course w had a salad on the side (we eat a salad almost every day now).

Hobart was oblivious to the storm (which is good) and today it's sunshine and so he's recharging his batteries.  Of course this is the middle of the floor and so we walk over and around him.  Because...

#notspoiled

TORNADO AND STORM DAMAGE HOUSTON 2024

So we knew storms were possible and/or coming yesterday afternoon but we (and millions of others) were not prepared for what would happen...

After our phones kept getting alerts and warnings, it started to get more intense.  We tried to have dinner but kept an eye on the sky.  Then the TV networks all switched to local coverage and there was a tornado on the ground about 3 miles from the farm and was moving toward the greater Houston area.

Within the storm, they were recording straight line winds approaching and then exceeding 100mph. 

Oh, but then it only got worse.

They issued a very rare 'destructive thunderstorm warning' for all of Houston.   According to the National Weather Service, this warning is used when there is "hail of 2.75 inches or larger and winds of 80mph or higher".

Then the tornado warning came for over 2 million people...popping up on phones, city phone alerts, text messages, and yes, even the Weather Channel switched to full round the clock coverage. 

2nd Man and I rushed to get the furniture that's out on the balcony laid down flat and we looked up and it was already getting scary.

The sky was green (and a few other weird colors) and the wind was rapidly picking up speed.  It was also getting much darker...

So dark the streetlights started coming on...but even then, darker and darker.

I tried to open the balcony door again and I thought it was locked; it was not, the wind and pressure was so intense, the glass started vibrating.  2nd Man shouted to close the shades (we have these big rolling shades) so that if the windows broke that might shield some of the stuff from coming in.

We took Hobart and went to the hallway to wait it out.

Here is the camera view from a local station as the tornado warned storm came into downtown.  This is at 6:30 in the afternoon, normally bright and sunny.  

I'll be honest, it was a bit harrowing because we thought the windows might come out.  Our building was built to have the latest (at the time ten years ago) hurricane/impact resistant windows but a worry in downtown Houston is when debris from a couple of windows on another building starts to fly around and impacts more windows and tree branches break more windows and that begets more debris and, well it's a vicious circle.

Here is just a small part of the end result:

This building is about 3 blocks away from us.

And this one is about 2 blocks away.

There are many other buildings with damage and the streets into and out of downtown are currently closed because there is just too much debris.  The mayor told people to stay home today so they can clean up the streets.  In some places, the broken glass is 2 inches deep.  Thank goodness this storm had enough warning and happened after 6pm when most office buildings were empty.

We have no power at my work office building and the roads have so much debris, our company is covering the phones and we were told to stay home.  Even though he works from home, 2nd Man was told to take off today as internet service is sketchy at best.

There are trees down all over town, roads blocked, power was out to 950,000 people, street lights are not working, there are signs down, power lines across roads and of course thousands of homes and businesses have roof damage.  Right before we wearily went to bed last night, we heard a few large 'booms' and it turns out there was a subterranean sewer fire causing explosions about 4 blocks away. 

All school districts are closed today due to extensive damage to schools and campuses around the city. 

They are saying this will be a billion dollar+ storm.  

Sadly, at least four people have also been killed.

"J" from 2nd Family said it was the scariest moment she's had out there, and she's been through several hurricanes and countless really bad thunderstorms.  She said she really thought a tornado was forming just beside the property as the wind was insane.  A weather station near the farm (less than a mile) reported a gust of 109mph!   She lost quite a few shingles and today, in the light of day, she will check our house and property.  

As one weather expert said, it's like the city of Houston experienced a direct hit by a Category 1 or Category 2 hurricane that lasted full on for an hour.  Another said that a storm like this has not impacted such a large metropolitan area and will be remembered for years to come in the Houston area.

Stay tuned for tomorrow when we will venture to the farm to see the damage up close.

ANNIVERSARY BALL JARS

Saw these in the store...

They only come in the 16oz size according to the Ball website HERE, but they are cool.

And pretty!  They are designed to mimic the historic patterns that have been used throughout the history of the company.

From the Ball website:

Celebrate the 140-year history of Ball home canning, as a beloved staple in kitchens across the country, with these collector's edition Anniversary Mason Jars.  Created in celebration of popular patterns and designs that have graced the homes of jar lovers and devoted canners for generations, the Anniversary Jar is a beautiful way to commemorate this legacy of preservation and creativity.  Express yourself beautifully with the canning jars that Ball has been known for since 1884.

Of course, I HAD to buy a package, just because!

EVER HAVE ONE OF THOSE DAYS

 Well, I had one of those days on Saturday.

Haven't mowed in two weeks (rain) and there was rain in the forecast so I went out and this was the weather when I started.

Pretty picture, with the green and the contrast of the sky but I was on a mission to mow.  I started out and did the driveway, around the back of the house and around the barn and shed and then started on the front yard when the mower just stopped cutting.  The engine was running fine but the mower stopped.  I thought maybe it got clogged up again but all I had to do was look down from my perch on the seat...

...oops, that's not good!  I drove it to a flat area and crawled around checking it out and it was frayed and cut in a few spots.  I kind of wonder if the issue the last time with the clog caused the belt to become worn.  Could also be a stick with thorns that got stuck in there.

Honestly, in all the years of mowing on the other mower, I never ever had a belt break. Replaced it once during an annual maintenance because it was nearing the end of its life, but it always kept going.  

This was how much of the front I got done.  You can see right where it stopped.  Sigh.

Only 33 minutes and got a little less than halfway done.

As this posts, we're awaiting the Deere dealer service department to reach out so we can see what our options are.  If we lived out there and had a concrete floor garage, to make removing the mower deck easy, I could order a belt and I bet I could figure out how to fix it.  But we don't have the luxury yet so, $$ it is.

But wait...there's more.

So I decided to drive the truck, as I always do, to keep it running and in good shape and I got in and rolled down the window since it was cool, and then I slammed the door shut.

Wasps flew out of the MIRROR and almost into the cab of the truck.  I've never rolled up a window so fast.  It is an old school crank handle and my experience from pre-power window days came in handy (young people today wouldn't know what to do, ha!).  I took the wasp spray and handled that.

But wait...there's more.

I went to the porch to rest my body after all the excitement and I was in the rocking chair when something stung me.  It was a glancing blow and I was wearing shorts sitting in a chair, so I'll spare you the pictures because this is a family oriented blog, LOL.

I jumped up from the chair, sending it flying across the porch (and broke it the seat out of it)...

I nursed my glancing sting and let them reassemble on their nest...and then I took care of that too.

At this point I was done for the day.

I'm gonna blame it all on the solar flare! 😆

Yep, that's it!

GOOD FOOD AND HOBART MOTHERS DAY SUNDAY

Here we are, another week gone by.  Yesterday was supposed to be mowing day, but things didn't go exactly as planned.  More on that tomorrow.  Today is rainy.

Time for some good food and some Hobart!

We started with a salad of baby spinach with spring greens and mini Roma tomatoes...

And then the main course, oven roasted Mahi-Mahi with shrimp and potatoes with Aleppo pepper and topped with sriracha and chives.

YUM!

Hobart is unimpressed by the good food...so we moved the couch cushion out of the way so he has room to spread out while sleeping.  Because...

#notspoiled

And of course Happy Mother's Day to all of you out there!  2nd Man and I lost our mothers years ago but we always think of them and hold their memories close.  Hope you all have a wonderful day and get the wonderful treatment you deserve!

CRAWLING AND CREEPING

So the other night, "J" from 2nd Family (they live at the front of the property that butts up next to ours) sent us these pictures. 

First up, this one:

She said she woke up, went to the kitchen to wash her coffee cup and found this scorpion crawling around the sink.  She said that after her heart rate came down, she dispatched the scorpion as quickly as possible.

Yikes!

And then she sent this one:

The dogs were barking one night and checked her front porch to find this little guy/gal creeping around.

We've always had a soft spot for them, yes they aren't as cute as raccoons, but they do eat a lot of bugs and things.  We even rescued a baby opossum from a pool and bottle fed it for a day until we could get it to the wildlife rehab center.  It was raised and released into a rural park.  Nothing wrong with that.

Scorpions though?  No thank you.  Side note, one of my grandmothers used to tell us, right before we'd get into bed, "check for stingin' scorpions, spiders and mice before you get in".  Thanks Grandma, I'll sleep better now...NOT!  However, we understand, no matter how "tight" our house will be, that will most likely be our new normal.  We live in nature, we have to share it!

CURRY LEAF TREE

You know me, never one to pass up on a cool plant/tree/bush and with Arbor Day recently, we got the Olive tree you saw last week.  A couple weeks ago, I  found a fun one online (Texas nursery) and ordered it.

Took it out and got it transplanted into a pot (for now).

This is after I got it into a clay pot. It'll go into a bigger pot once it gets a bit bigger.

We were watching food/cooking shows recently, as we often do, and saw them making some food dishes using curry leaves.  Now this is NOT the same as the curry powder...curry powder is made by blending spices.  This is a tree and the leaves are used and it doesn't really have any curry familiar smell, it's an odd smell but supposed to be a delicacy.  We shall see!

These are used in cooking Indian and other Middle Eastern dishes, usually by adding to a sauce or stew or cooking in a bit of neutral oil to flavor it and use the oil to cook meat.  It will be an adventure!

In addition to culinary uses, it is supposed to be healthy for the body too.  Hey, we can always use something that will be healthy!  There are a couple more plants (bushes) we'd like to find that 2nd Man can eventually use in his cooking, we're on the hunt for those now. 

Stay tuned!

GOOD CINCO DE MAYO FOOD AND HOBART SUNDAY

It's been a wet weekend.  Yesterday was good for a bit, went to the farm but way too wet from the rains earlier in the week to do anything outside in the yard.  Then last night and through this morning, very heavy rains and storms.  It's slowly moving out and no rain for the next week at least.

Today is Cinco de Mayo and I told 2nd Man we should have some good Tex Mex food.

So, he made his revised heart healthy arroz con pollo.  Oven roasted chicken, removed from the bone and cooked with tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, brown rice, jalapeños, onions, and seasonings (low sodium) and slow cooked together for about 45 minutes.  I made a black bean and corn salad and he made some corn tortillas.  Topped with a little greek yogurt, yummy!

Hobart is lying around, enjoying the sunshine when it pops through the window.  Because...

#notspoiled

NAKED STAR WARS GARDENING

Or something like that?

Today is two days in one:

HAPPY STAR WARS DAY!

Every year, May 4th is the day that is used to enjoy being a fan of the iconic movies (of course a play on the words May the Force Be With You).

And also...

HAPPY WORLD NAKED GARDENING DAY!

The first Saturday of May is always World Naked Gardening Day, so go out there and get naked!

We will celebrate one or both, but no pics either way, LOL!!!!!!

LARGE FLAT BASKETS TRASH TO TREASURE

Regular readers know that I have a favorite place to look for bargains...our downstairs trash area!  Our building has trash chutes on every floor and they feed into a separate room, but for boxes and other things that people can't put in the chute, there is an area (indoor) near the loading dock where people can put the things they don't want.  I've found quite a few cool items over the last few years.

Went downstairs and found these.  A set of large, flat, baskets.  Two of each size.  And by size, they are big.  The large ones are 36" in diameter and the other two are 24" in diameter.

They have hangers on the back, so we guess they are made to hang on the wall?  Or stored by hanging up?

Not sure if they are decorative or if there is another use for them but couldn't pass them up.  We may hang them on the wall but wondering if there is some as yet unknown way we can use them?  Any suggestions?

NEW OLIVE TREE

In honor of Arbor Day last week, I got a new tree (actually two, more on the other one in another post).

I know, I know, ANOTHER tree?  Hey, it's for the future and we only wish we had planted one of these a few years ago, but hey, here we are, ha!

Arbequina Olive.

I picked this one because it had a nice shape to it and looked very healthy.  Arbequina is the most cold hardy olive (once established of course).  Down to 10, 15 and 20 and that should cover our more recent crazy Winters.  It's also drought tolerant, so that means it will cover our erratic Summers as well, ha.   

And check this out:

It's developing little olives on it!

Not sure we'll actually have any, but since it's not in the ground and just in the container (we don't need to worry about root development), we'll let it do its thing and see how they come out.  I may upgrade the container size to help it along, but we're happy to have an olive tree to try out.  We had one at the house in town years ago and actually got some olives off of it and it was growing in a pot, not the ground.

HAPPY MAY DAY!  (is that still a thing?  Ha!)