I have always told people we don't have hurricanes in Ohio. I will be revising that statement.

We had a hurricane. In Ohio.

It was an amazing weather event. Nothing like you would expect. It was just wind. I mean, JUST wind. No rain or lightning. It was actually partly sunny. The wind just started whipping everything apart. It was unbelievable. I have been in sizeable storms (typhoon, for example) and nothing compares to a hurricane in...Ohio.

The huge tree at the old property split down the middle. The right half fell into Boyd's yard. At the new property, trees and branches fell everywhere. Not dead trees. Not small branches. HUGE trees, living ones, ripped up and thrown about. Roofs came off. For 6 hours it went on. It didn't feel like a storm. Just...a really big, long...wind. The most peculiar thing I have EVER seen. I have lived in Ohio most of my life. This is by far the weirdest weather I have ever experienced here.

The power went off Sunday afternoon and returned earlier tonight (Tuesday). It really gave us all a chance to go out and meet neighbors, help each other, have a wonderful sense of community. I met 81-year-old Pauline down the street, the lady with glass lamps, dolls, and tchachkes everywhere in her windows. She told me all about her grandkids and kids (several times- she forgot what she had already told me). I met the new couple and their little girl. Steve helped our neighbor across the street remove a huge tree from on top of his garage. Another went sprawling across the fence almost to the Micah's buddy's swimming pool a couple of yards away. Some of these trees are thick- 2 feet in diameter or so. The dead ones had no chance but the living ones were also torn apart.

There was no work Monday. Schools were all closed Monday. Most were closed today (Tuesday)- not Micah's, and he complained the whole time. About half of the kids showed up. Turns out the Wyoming high school and middle school are on the same power grid as the police and fire stations, so they get first priority. Well, second. Hospitals first, police/fire second, etc.

It was more amazing than level 4 tornadoes (which one would expect here), huge 2-foot blizzards (also precdented), big floods (been there done that)...but hurricanes? By the time we get them they are blown out and just full of extra rain. Even Katrina. This was the most peculiar hurricane ever. The front it happened into gave it some extra push. Yes, this is the same one that devastated Galveston.

The real victims, of course, are on Hispaniola. They got the alst 4 hurricanes plus more heavy rains to come. They are not in a good way and the infrastructure is weak to start with. Those folks could use lots of prayer and relief. Not saying people here couldn't- Matthew 25 has been here in Cincy distributing ice and water for free. Great people. They go where needed. They don't ask if you're rich or poor. Just whoever needs whatever, they have it. If you ever donate stuff to Matt. 25 Ministries, it goes where needed. I have volunteered a time or two helping organize stuff, clothes, I guess- I think it might have been hurricane Mitch. I don't remember even. But trust me, go to any Catholic school or church and they will be there. Same with Salvation Army. Those people walk the walk, they do instead of talk and yammer on about stuff.