August 15, 2011

Storm

After four weeks of no rain, we got a real live, bonafide Texas-type gully washer on Friday night. We were eating dinner when we realized it had started to rain. Not a gentle rain, but a pelting rain. My first thought was of Surprise's twins. Since they've been weaned. they've preferred to spend the night behind the doe shed, as close to her as they can get. They had no protection from the rain, so I needed to get them to the buck barn as quickly as possible.

I remembered that my poncho was in the tool shed, so I took off without it, running to the gate to go fetch them. I found them huddled under a pecan tree, crying their hearts out. In knew if I carried the younger one, the older would follow.

It was raining so hard that I couldn't see. My denim skirt was soaked and heavy, pulling at my legs as I tried to run toward the billy barn, one little goat in my arms, calling to the second one to follow. The wind was blowing so hard that I didn't even know if he could hear me, but I could hear him bleating from behind. I ran the best I could, but for some reason, possibly the atmospheric pressure, I couldn't breathe. I couldn't get air into my lungs. I had to will myself toward the buck barn, gasping as I went. Branches crashed around us, but thankfully we made it; soaking wet, but unharmed.

In the meantime, Dan had taken off to check on the does and the chickens. He showed up within seconds after I got to the buck barn. "I can't get any air" he said. Fortunetely the does and chickens were secure and dry, thanks to the tarp we covered the leaky tin roof with two years ago!

Chipper and Gruffy were already in the buck barn. The roof was not leaking, but the wind was blowing rain in through the windows and unchinked log siding. Because their shed is just down a small
hill, water was steaming into it. Fortunately the ground at the back of the barn was higher and drier, so we all huddled there until the storm passed. When the rain let up, Dan went to get towels to dry the boys off, as well as cardboard and dry straw for their bedding.

When we got back to the house the power was out. We checked the rain gauge, 1.25 inches in 15 minutes. The electricity came on about 6 hours later, but our internet service is still out. And I'm having computer problems as well.  Usually when there is a storm, I turn off the computer and unplug it. This time however, we were out the door before I could even think about it. When I call my IP for more info, all I get is a recorded message that they are dealing with a regional outage and are working on it.

So, I'm at the county library, checking in. My Goat Butter post was on auto-publish, so this is why I'm publishing two posts in one day! It also means I am unable to reply to comments and return blog visits. Sorry about that. Hopefully we'll be back online and my computer problems will be fixed soon.

Storm © August 2011 by Leigh 

26 comments:

Susan said...

Holy Cow! That was a thrilling recount, Leigh! I am so glad everyone is okay. This has been a year of such extremes. Hope your internet connection comes back quickly.

Michelle said...

We never get those kinds of downpours here, and while I miss thunder and lightning, I can live without all that sometimes comes with it! How very strange about the difficulty breathing; it would be hard not to panic.

Woolly Bits said...

never mind the computer - luckily you and your animals made it into safety! the rest doesn't matter so much I think...
I hope you're back to normal soon... good luck!

Renee Nefe said...

wow! sounds like part of that same storm that hit Indiana. I'm glad you're all okay. Perhaps the baby bucks will have learned where to go for the next storm...instead of just sitting there.

I hope you're back online soon.

CaliforniaGrammy said...

My lord you had me on pins and needles reading through your adventure. Amazing so much water in a mere 15 minutes. I'm glad the animals and you are safe and sound now.

Suzan said...

Goodness Gracious!! Glad you all and the animals are all ok!!

denise/deBRAT said...

those are some lucky goats there. having you two huddled down with them in their enclosure. you are such responsible owners. thanks for the info and i look forward to your posts every day and re-read when you do not post anything new! glad all are well
stay high and dry!
denise/deBRAT

Mama Pea said...

Holy moly, what a storm! Glad you were home to make sure all the animals made it to a dry shelter. I'm sure those little twins didn't know what was going on.

My hubby insists we both turn off our computers when any kind of a storm starts. But sounds as if you really had no warning. Sure hope not too much damage was done and you're back up and running shortly.

Jane @ Hard Work Homestead said...

Wow, hope everything gets turned back on and everything fared ok. Poor scared goats.

Nina said...

Glad everyone is safe and sound. It sounds like it was a doozy of a storm! Hopefully the little boys will become more weather savvy before too long. We had a huge storm move through early in the spring and out internet was out for over a week. It can be really frustrating at times, with work and other projects which need internet access.

Judy T said...

Yowza, what an adventure. How odd that neither of you could catch your breath, I wonder what that was about. Glad everyone is okay. Hope things are up and running soon.
Judy

LivingOurWay said...

Wow! I felt like I was there with you. I hope your computer problems are fixed soon.

Dani said...

That's a lot of water...

Glad everything's OK though

Mr. H. said...

Does not sound like a fun situation at all, hope you are able to get back online soon. Glad to hear that you and the animals are OK.

trump said...

I think id rather receive some rain than a dry spell, and we are getting some much needed rain ourselves in the Lancaster area. Richard

Jody said...

My word! All it takes is a sincere connection to animals to get a person to do crazy things. I'm glad your animals have you and your husband.

Alison said...

Wow, Leigh! That sounds like quite an adventure, and rivetingly written: I was there with you in the rain, soaked denim skirt and gasping for breath. I'm glad you're all ok; hope the power is back up already - and if not now, then soon!

Tina T-P said...

I'm glad everything turned out OK - how scarey though, not being able to breath - Hope everything drys out OK too. T.

BrokenRoadFarm said...

Wow! We got rain, but not like that. Glad everyone is ok!!

Benita said...

Holy Raining Buckets, Batman!

I wonder why you both hard troubles breathing? The drop in barometric pressure? That's scary!

1.25" in 15 minutes! That has to be a record.

Glad you are all okay.

trump said...

Thanks for the update and glad everyone is doing ok. Richard from Amish Stories.

* Crystal * said...

Wow!! How scary.... I'm so happy you & your critters weathered the storm without permanent harm.

Mother Nature can be amazingly beautiful, and just as unpredictable.

Anonymous said...

So glad you and the animals are OK. Wish we had some of your rain!

Your Houston friend

DebbieB said...

Oh, gracious, Leigh! I'm so glad everyone is ok! That's a gully-washer indeed. I've been out of the loop, on a blog-posting and blog-reading summer holiday. So nice to see that the chickens and goats are doing so well. We had goat cheese with dinner tonight, and I thought of you, and had to check in! I see that you've visited me in the past few weeks - I posted again today, a miracle! :)

Florida Farm Girl said...

Leigh -- just found your wonderful blog through On the Way to Critter Farm. I've read a few of your posts and am totally enthralled. You write beautifully and you are able to express precisely some of the thoughts and emotions that are so difficult for some of us. Thanks. I'll be stopping in regularly.

Sue

trump said...

Id like to invite you folks to come to Amish Stories for a recipe for "Famous Pennsylvania Dutch Sticky Cinnamon Buns" along with a book signing schedule for Wanda Brunstetter for Pennsylvania and Ohio as well as a contest to meet her. I hope everyone so far is having a great weekend. Thanks everyone. Richard from Amish Stories.