Currently hiding in the basement.
Heavy line of storms crossing Ohio at the moment.
So i got the cats and myself to the basement (ever try to herd 3 cats?)
Latest report is that most of the tornados warnings have expired, due to the night fall is reducing the storm line a bit.
But I will wait down here until the main heavy line has passed here.
Everyone be careful out there.
Stay save and hope the storms are past by now.
Nancy
Looks like the main line of nasty storms is now pass. Just rain where I am now.
And the storms no longer have that nasty pink/purple color on them. Mainly just yellow with the leading edge just in the red color.
Time to head back upstairs - herding the cats again!
Again after seeing all the damage in the US, west of here - remember folks please don't take any chances. Get you and your family safe if they are talking about severe storms.
Thanks for listening!
Ohiocat,
Good to hear you and all your cats are alright. These storms can be scary, especially this year. It's been a spring of horrible destruction so many places.
I'm with you! Don't take any chances if there are tornado warnings out; take cover.
Melinda
How did it go Ohiocat? Are y'all safe and sound?
Oh, I have problems "herding" one cat, so I have to take my hat off to you! :D
Patze
Do you use canned tuna to herd your cats like my friends do for theirs?
Ohiocat - glad that all is well at your home as the storms rolled through last night.
There seems to be a "path" cutting across the Midwest where one storm after another keeps following. There is so much damage in many states from the tornadoes and floods from all the rain. It's heartbreaking to hear the evening news.
This past week we purchased a weather radio for $30 that we have set to our specific location to get all the up-to-date weather related bulletins and warnings. It went off several times Sunday night as storms rolled through. The radio also has battery operation so we could take it with us to the basement if need be.
Another nice thing about the radio - it stays "on" all the time. So, if during the night something develops while everyone is sleeping, it will sound an alarm to alert us.
With all the storms that we are yet to weather this summer, I'm going to "stock" the corner in the basement where we go during severe weather with bottled water, canned goods, an opener, non-perishable food, blankets, etc. so we aren't having to gather those items up quickly when time is of the essence.
In July 2004, we had an F4 tornado go through within 10 miles of my house! :o Last June, we had a tornado go through our area just 3-1/2 miles down the road from me. A tad bit too close!!
Take care and keep in-tune to the weather as it changes quite often.
Bucky
My heart goes out to you folks affected by the tornadoes and horrible storms.
Stay safe. Will be thinking about you.
Kathyx
I am glad that you made it trough safe and sound.
I went to my beloved cabin around 1 p.m. Sunday afternoon, May 22, to water some of my transplants at the potting shed. Bent over to get hose nozzle and a snake coiled and started to strike me. Thanks to my precious cat named Iris, she sprang at the snake and it hit what I thought was only her fur.
She continued to keep the snake at bay from me and I reached inside shed and got a pitch fork. The snake was trying to return to the creek though Iris kept after it so I knew where to go to kill the snake. Hubby and grandson got to see it speared up on the pitchfork and both felt it was not a water moccasin but a garter snake...non poisonous.
In couple of hours a bad storm with strong winds and driving rain and hail half-dollar size came in sheets. The weather band radio at the cabin did not even give any warnings...odd!
Now back to my precious Iris cat. She did not come home after the storm and I felt she had used the cat door and entered the cabin and weathered the storm there. Hubby feels the large hail on the tin roof made so much noise and she was alone in cabin that she ventured out in the horible storm and has probably been killed.
She was the head cat here on the farm now her big brother passed away a year ago. All five kittens were born to my stray cat Mrs. Rosemary and have spent the last years with me. Three of the cats preceded Iris who was 10 years old as is her other two surviving sisters, Mrs. Rose and Marianne... It felt strange to brush only two cats tonight and give treats and hold them in my arms and carry them to the basement door and kiss them good night and not have Iris misbehave by jumping down and running and sitting at the end of hallway.
Iris is the cat I mentioned in a previous post that was the cat that knew how to count to five... my little rebel! She liked me to start the count down...5-4-3-2 was the magic number. Bolting, she would scamper to the bottom of the steps and look back with that certain look only IRIS COULD GIVE...
Today has been a lonely day for Mrs. Rose and me. She has looked all over the basement for Iris and she even sat at feeding dish tonight as if to say," Were is Iris; she always eats first?" She had the saddest look and just walked away from their feeding dish. It is no doubt these two were best friends.
Marianne, on the other hand came from the barn and seemed pleased that Iris was not in the picture. Though she made no obvious gestures but tomorrow she may find she needs to befriend Rose in the bay window and not feel she must spend her days at our barn any more.
Each of the five kitties has been a blessing through the years. They were born in late August. At the beginning they would all walk in a line behind me and we'd made our daily journey to the mailbox even on the coldest of days.
Just wish I could find her body so I could have closer as the mother and two other sibling cats are buried in a row at the cabin.
Thanks for letting me write my post...It helps, newjoy
(((Newjoy )))- I'm sorry to hear about your precious cat, Iris. I know how much your cats mean to you.
Maybe, just maybe, she will still show up!
I've noticed within the past few days that our momma cat, Spooky, is really reacting to all the storms. She tries to find a place to hide - Sunday she was crawling up under the covered grill we have on the porch. She has a cat house on the porch - but, for some reason, she didn't want to go in it.
I'm glad you didn't get bit by the snake. Next to spiders, snakes are the worst. I think if I was cornered with a snake, I would die of fright.
I'll keep hoping that Iris will show up after all - safe and sound.
Hugs,
Bucky
(((newhorizons ))) I am sorry to hear of the loss of your friend Iris. At least you have to more friends to love.
Newhorizons, I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of Iris. What a wonderful cat to protect you from the snake. Just shows how precious you must be to her.
Hugs
Kathyx
Newhorizons:
I too am an animal lover also and have lost a number of dear and beloved pets over the years so can sympathize with you in your grief and loss over your dear sweet and remarkable kitty Iris.
Sending you hugs, love and hoping that you find her soon,
Daisy
Ohiocat:
I certainly hope you weathered that terrible storm safely. I have been praying for all of those poor people who lost lives and homes/businesses with those awful tornadoes and storms. So much devestation lately!
Take care of yourself and your 3 cats!!
Daisy
Dearest Ohiocat and Newhorizons
Just to let you know that all over the world we've been concerned about the freak weather you've been enduring. Just this morning I was reading about the warning systems, and how often the winds were so loud that people couldn't hear them in time to get to safety.
So sorry to hear about Iris. I hope all other loved ones - both human and feline - are safe.
Thinking of you - Chickpea
LOL Herding cats is right. I have five of them and live in eastern Iowa. We had the sirens go off here too.
I learned with mine to just non-chalontely (sp?) wander over, pick each up, carry over to basement door, open door and shove in. Repeat with each cat LOL. If I get too much in a hurry, a cat will take off and it make it that much harder to catch em. I HAVE to be prepared cause no way can I "herd" them in a couple minutes. I wish canned tuna would work.
Thing is if I had the basement door close all day, then they would be real anxious to go down there. Hmmm?
Oh I forgot. It is not a herd of cats but a clowder of cats, LOL :D