Tornado...
To all our friends and family who have wondered how we faired the storm on February 5th, we are fine. Though the ugly beast swooped within a mile of our home -- where 7 of us laid low in the basement -- ourselves and property came through unscathed, leaving us in awe of the storm's precociousness.

The storm photos below are posted with thanks to my daughter Shawna (the photographer) and my son Josh (the technology wizard who got one of our computer systems online with the generator loaned to us by the folks at the Shirley Quarry where my son Adam works). The photo at right shows the hail that pelted parts of our community the week after the tornado blew through.

As we understand it, given that the entire electrical delivery system between our house and Petit Jean was pretty much pulled out by the roots and mashed to the ground, it may be 10 days before we have power from our utility provider again and -- given this goal is met or even comes close to it -- would be a huge accomplishment.

[Note: The electricity at our place was back on in ONLY FOUR DAYS!!! What a miracle!!!]

Anyway, that's what's up for us... hope you all are well... but if the storm has quaked your life in a tumultuous way... know our warm thots are with you and if there is anything we can do to enable your recovery, please give me a call... (((hugs))) ~Christine 501-745-4153

The devastation cluttering the background in the photo below is what remains of the boat factory where nearly 20 people were employed, many of whom were trapped in the building as it disintegrated and injured, and one tragically lost his life...

Below is the stretch of Hwy 9/16 near our home. This was previously a lushly forested landscape, dappled with houses, barns and huge-tall trees. Notice the wide swath cut by the tornado, stretching far into the distance.

As seen in the photo below, even in the midst of disaster, nature  is... well... nature....

Below, Shawna (14) and Josh (16) Weiss, without who this pictorial would not have been possible.