Deb’s House Concerts …………

Deb’s House Concerts

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Last night I turned on the computer, hoping for a quick read of email and web pages, and I could not get a good connection. “Server could Not Be Found” was all I could find. I wondered if the problem was somehow related to an overhead fan, imagining some electrical distubance might be interrupting the internet access.

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After turning off the fan, I turned my attention to the electrical and rain storm outside, and I wondered if that could be interrupting the service. The sounds of thunder, flashes of light, and beating of rain on my roof and awnings were compelling. It was the kind of storm that’s great for watching and sleeping. But, I just wanted to check my mail first. It didn’t happen.

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About 1030pm, the lights went out. Within moments, they were back on again. Then, off and on again. Then, off. Not having prepared for a power outage, I was pretty much out of luck in the light department (other than the light from my cell phone and non-internetted battery-fueled computer). I closed them both, and opened the curtains in order to enjoy the rest of the storm.

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I had thought I was wide awake, and would just lie there for hours in the dark. But, I was wrong. After a few moments of watching the flashing sky and listening to the falling rain, I was asleep. When the power returned and the lights came on about 230am, I woke up briefly. At 430am, I awoke again, closed the curtains and tried the internet again. And, here I am. (Yes, I have a little insomnia problem tonight.)

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In the process of logging into email, I saw this news story title:

“Tornado blows vehicles off highway in N. Carolina, kills 1- By JAY REEVES, Associated Press Writer“

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I read the story and was quickly reminded that I don’t have to miss all that wind in Oklahoma. We have plenty of it right here.

A tornado touched down late Thursday on the outskirts of Greensboro, N.C., blowing three tractor-trailers off Interstate 40, authorities said. One person was killed and two were injured in the freeway accidents, and a third was hurt when a wall collapsed.

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Two businesses and one house were damaged in Guilford County, said state Department of Crime Control and Public Safety spokeswoman Patty McQuillan. Two houses collapsed in Clemmons, probably because of high winds, and more than 32,000 were without power, officials said.

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[UPDATE: More on this story, posted 9:30am May 9, 2008
Tornado knocks vehicles around in N. Carolina, kills 1]

[UPDATE: 00:45 May 12, 2008 A family member told me that trees beside I-40 were snapped in half for a distance of about 1/2 mile near the GSO airport. The local newspapers showed photos of damage, including an airplane that was blown onto its side, with one wing tip touching the tarmac.]