Back Through Tornado Alley

On May 20^th, the city of Moore, Oklahoma, experienced one of the worst F5 tornadoes, with winds over 200+ mph winds. During this storm/tornado, I found myself (an older over weight woman) in my small linen closet with a bicycle helmet, crouched down holding on to my two Chihuahuas, thinking to myself, “I wasn’t going to survive this tornado”.  As this tornado headed east bound, roaring through the city of Moore, throwing houses, cars, trucks, tractors, trees, cows, horses, and people like they were paper dolls, I remained in my closet in fear, listening to the roar, feeling the winds (because my bathroom window was open at the time to prevent my house from exploding), and feeling the pressure all around me.  I slowly crawled out of the closet shaking, not knowing what type of damage actually occurred to our home.  We were fortunate, our damage was nothing compared to those who were directly in the path of this monster.  After finding out my family was okay (both son and husband were at work), I worked at getting our supplies together to hit the road to help those in trouble.  Emergency personnel requested everyone stay off the roads and out of the area for 24 hours.  My family honored the request of the emergency personnel.  After the 24 hours of waiting, our family went into action to help those in need.

On a post I made back in May about the incident, I took several pictures of a home and a development my family worked to help victims recover belongs and provided emotional support.  Remember some of these pictures? 

Well here are a couple of these pictures right after the tornado.  I also have several pictures taken last night while traveling through the same area.  Notice the debris is all gone, the grass has grown, several trees produced green leaves, and there are signs of people rebuilding.   

Over the next several months, when I travel back in the hit hard area, I will take pictures to show the improvement and life returning to the area.

Going back last night into areas hit was very emotional for me.  I thought about the pain and suffering each person experienced, and wonder if they would return to rebuild, or move to a safe place, far away from tornado alley.

  

 

Same Location Totally Cleared Out

 

 

Sense of Humor - Status on Some Garden Items

Even after the tornado, a family across the street from where we were working had a sense of humor.  I love this sign, it’s regarding the tornado that barreled through Moore, Oklahoma.

 

 Since we’ve been helping families in Moore, I really haven’t paid much attention to my garden until last night. 

My tomatoes are growing.  I have Purple Russians, Dad’s Sunset, and Cherry Red about 2 inches off the ground.

 

The Big Boston, Rocky Top and Winter Destiny lettuce are about a ½ inch in size and looking good.

 

My Apollo Arugula is coming in quite well.

 

The carrots are about the same size as the tomatoes.

 

The Lacinato Kale is looking pretty good itself, along with the parsnips and fennel.

  Luffa looking good.

And here’s my peppermint.

 

 

Don’t forget to register for the give – away going on here.

 

God Bless The Children

 

 

 

Source: YouTube

Helping In The Recovery *****God Bless Oklahoma***** (Warning All Kinds Of Pictures)

Utah Crew (Great People To Work With)

God Bless Oklahoma!!!!!  This morning, Tank and I were off to help anyone involved in the Oklahoma tornadoes needing assistance.  We spent most the entire day in Moore, and will be doing the same tomorrow.  Come Monday, we will be heading out to the city of Shawnee.   I want to take this opportunity to thank all the organizations, churches, and private companies, who came in from all over this country to assist the victims of Oklahoma.

Tank and I worked with two great groups of people, one out of Utah, and another from Denton, Texas. 



Becky Sampson, Tank, Me, & Aaron Browning

David Turquette and Carl Robison From Denton, TX
Great Group of Guys to Work With

Carl Robison and Tank (My Son)

 God Is Love!!!!

 

 

 

Devastation and New Power Poles Coming In

 

Getting Everything Out

 

Part of Out Patient Hospital - A Car Was On The Roof (Can't See Here)

 

 

 

One of the Houses We All Worked Belonged
To a 60+ Year Old Woman On Hospice (God Bless Her)

 

 

Matt (Son  In Law To 60 + Year Old Woman)
First load made to rented storage unit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vans Pig Stand Restaurant (Gone Just The Drive Thru Sign Remains)

If you’re interested in helping:

The Salvation Army Arkansas-Oklahoma Division has dispatched disaster response teams.

Donations can be made to: The Salvation Army Disaster Relief, P.O. Box 12600, Oklahoma City, OK 73157. Designate Oklahoma Tornado Relief on all checks.

Donate by phone: (800) 725-2769. Donate online: donate.salvationarmyusa.org/uss/eds/aok. Donate by text: Text the word “STORM” to 80888 to make a $10 donation through your mobile phone; to confirm your gift, respond with the word “Yes.”

The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, in partnership with Oklahoma Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, is asking that the public support all rescue, recovery, and disaster relief efforts with donations of cash to your favorite responding charity.

Financial donations will allow disaster relief agencies to purchase the items that are deemed necessary, without resulting in the additional burden of securing warehouse space and volunteers to work the donated product.

To make a tax deductible donation to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, go to www.regionalfoodbank.org or call 604-7111or text FOOD to 32333 to give $10 to relief efforts.

The Knights of Columbus Oklahoma State Council has begun organizing relief efforts in and around Moore. To donate to assist relief and recovery through Knights of Columbus Charities, Inc., go online to at kofc.org/relief or mail a check to: Knights of Columbus Charities, Inc., Oklahoma Fund, P.O. Box 1966, New Haven, CT 06509-1966.

American Red Cross   Those who would like to help people affected by disasters like tornadoes, floods, and other crises, can make a donation to American Red Cross Disaster Relief. People can donate by visiting www.redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. These donations help provide food, shelter, and emotional support to those affected by disasters.

Central Oklahoma Humane Society
The Central Oklahoma Humane Society is in need of towels, paper towels, bleach, gloves, and crates to help with lost and injured animals. "Currently our greatest need is financial donations to help us treat and house lost and injured animals at our facilities," the society says on its site. Donations can be made online here and should be designated for the "OK Humane Disaster Relief Fund."  Phone:  1-405-607-8991

Volunteers on the Ground from Utah – Becky  Sampson  At the present time, what is really needed to help the victims of Moore: boxes, tape, and heavy garbage bags, to move personal items, clothing, paperwork, linen items, kitchen items etc…

Directly from Becky Sampson’s Facebook page: We need to buy MOORE boxes. If you a can help...$50 donation gets us 35 more HUGE boxes for people out here in Oklahoma! Any donation is welcomed!

The pay pal account is "LDS MEET ME" but rest assured 100% of the money is being used for the the relief efforts!
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=FTRSLFHF45TFG’’

If you’re interested in making a donation and want to see all agencies participating in helping Oklahoma, please query the internet or news stations.

 

Resources: NewsOK, Red Cross, USNews/NBC, Becky Sampson Facebook

Storms Rolling In - Cloud Pictures

 

CLOUDS ROLLING IN FROM THE WEST ALMOST DIRECTLY OVER US

 

 

DARK CLOUDS ATTEMPTING TO DROP LIKE A TORNADO

 

 

 

 

 

CLOUDS MOVING RIGHT OVER US

 

CLOUDS OVER THE TOP OF US

 

 

 

AND THEN IT LEFT, YAY!!!!!

 

 

 

Prayers, Tornadoes and Food

Before starting my post this evening, I would like to send prayers to all families affected by the tornadoes (footage from YouTube) that wreaked havoc over the DFW (Dallas-Fort Worth) areas.  Bulldog Man and I placed calls out to our family and friends to make sure everyone was okay and to see if they needed help.  Everyone is okay, just a little shook up.

Okay, now on to my evening post.  Today, because it rained, thundered, and lightning all day, I didn’t work out in the garden or on the property.  I did run into town to accomplish a few errands and hit the post office. 

 Yesterday, I decided to pull out the dehydrator and dry some bananas and apples.  I have to say, I like this dehydrator a bit too much.  Our house is starting to smell like a fruit house (I’m not talking the funny farm here people)!!!  I have several mason jars full of dried fruit.  Next it will be vegetables, enough for soups and stews.

I even pulled out the lawn mower (it’s a push mower, so I got my exercise) and cut all the grass on the property, pulled a few weeds from the gardens.  Here are a few pictures, Blogger won't let me post the remaining pictures. I will have to post them later.