And will this wind be so mighty as to lay low the mountains of the earth? *

by chuckofish

We’ve had some major wind storms in recent weeks — nothing like the tornadoes that they get in the Midwest, but destructive nonetheless. While I was away on my epic road-trip, one such storm dropped a tree right across the driveway at our cottage.

The same wind broke another tree, sending half squarely onto our newly finished sun-room.

Here’s another view.

Then it proceeded to rain for days and days, ruining the ceiling, walls, and floor of the room.

That’s an up-side-down boot rack with a foot-stool and antlers perched on top, in case you wondered. You can also see the leaking ceiling and sodden floor.

We finally got someone to put a tarp over the roof, so the leaking stopped, but we are still waiting for the insurance people to decide what the repairs are worth. It took weeks for the adjuster to come, but he had to drive all the way from Rochester, so the delay is (mostly) forgivable.

The whole episode has been something of a circus, what with driving back and forth, missed calls, and key exchanges, and we are frustrated to have the new work ruined. Yet, I know how lucky we are: the storm damaged camp, not home; no one was hurt, and we have insurance. It made me think about the devastation that wind causes.

Wind is scary.

“Voiceless it cries,
Wingless flutters,
Toothless bites,
Mouthless mutters.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit

Remember Joplin, Missouri?

23 May 2011. ABC. EPA/LARRY W. SMITH

Unlike people who knowingly build houses in perilous locations vulnerable to flooding, mudslides, avalanches, or volcanoes, no one can avoid the wind. Next time you want to donate some money to a charity, you might consider giving to the Red Cross Tornado Relief Fund.

I know I will.

*”The End of the World” from Beyond the Fringe (1961).