Storm damage

We experienced quite the violent thunderstorm here Thursday night.  Very strong wind and hail to start off the storm, then pounding rain and a real light show in the sky!  The rain gauge only showed 1/2", fortunately, as we've had all we need for quite some time.  The hail damage was minimal, only lost a few small plants in the garden.  And looking out from inside the house, the downed limbs from the wind seemed pretty minimal, as well.  The biggest limb that came down on the patio narrowly missed the sliding glass door, but a miss in this case is certainly as good as a mile!  So, we thought, we really lucked out this time around.  Then, when it was time for the Goatfarmer to go out and do the chores and check the herd, a closer look around revealed this:

Yes, the large old apple tree that so nicely shaded the pool/deck, was now very much ON the pool/deck.  Fortunately, the winter cover suffered the only damage.  The irony is that this tree seemed so strong, like nothing could shake it, as compared to the one pictured below, which is almost totally rotted through and leaning out over the wagon road, where it has stood like this for many years, through whatever storms have come along. 

Make you think about people....sometimes those that seem so strong and steady crumble under the slightest problem, while others who seem to have more on their shoulders than they an possibly deal with just seem to have the inner strength to handle whatever life throws their way.   The Goatfarmer and I have been so saddened by watching the news of the tornado damage and flooding in so many areas in our country lately.  We often remark that we don't know how those folks deal with it, yet so many of them who have been interviewed tell that they plan to rebuild right where they are.  They show a strength of will that I'm not sure I'd have faced with such a loss.  We are so grateful for how little impact the weather has really had on our farm , and it sure gives perspective....things that maybe at one time would have seemed like a big deal are truly just a little annoyance.