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An ordinary Tuesday evening suddenly turned chaotic. At first I thought it was getting awfully dark earlier than normal. However, the next sounds I heard directed me to head outside and see what was happening.
I stood on the front porch as I heard and saw the wind picking up along the tree line.
The stately trees began to sway and bend, spilling showers of leaves to the already parched earth. The wind, emanating from the west and traveling up the hollow behind the house, was growing louder. My eyes were fixed on the amazing dark and light clouds that were swirling across our property.
My mind began to imagine that perhaps this was the birth of a tornado or at least a down draft of wind. While I am no schooled meteorologist, I remember some of those descriptive words from the master of all things weather -- Jim Cantore on the Weather Channel.
Whatever this was, it moved swiftly. I could hear thunder in the distance but saw no lightning and there was no rain. I could see my neighbor was on his tractor along the driveway road we share. Suddenly I saw him jump from the tractor and run into the middle of the yard.
A large tree had fallen on the road right in front of the tractor. The falling tree also brought down the electric lines that serve the homes on our lane. Thankfully, no one was hurt but it was scary nonetheless.
The wind event left as quickly as it came. Blue skies and light breezes followed. Then darkness fell as we awaited the arrival of the electric company. It would be early the next day before the power was restored.
I thought of all the people in the south who were without power due to Hurricane Debby. I could not complain about one night without lights and air conditioning. With windows open to the breezes of the night, my eyes strained to get used to the complete darkness.
However, as the night went on, I could hear the sounds of nighttime in the country. I had almost forgotten the soothing voices of insects, birds and animals that do not rest in the dark of night. Was that the cry of a lonely fox or the chatter of raccoons I heard?
The blackness of the yard was broken only by the occasional flickering of lightning bugs. The cool breeze through the screened windows was a welcome change from the constant humming of the air conditioner.
By early morning, the power was restored and we could take for granted the light switches would bring us out of the darkness. The house would once again be cooled off by the air conditioner.
These kinds of life events remind us of just how prepared or not prepared we truly are. Take it from me, check your flashlight batteries tonight. You just never know when your lights will go out.
Heather Ziegler can be reached via email at hziegler@theintelligencer.net.