Crawling Out of My Bloghole

Sooooo, for awhile there was no new art, no news really, too much playing around with time killing forms of communication and wedding stuff. I got back to art and joined a couple of groups as well. One, is the Ascribing Artists and those that choose to are exhibiting at the Art League this month. I have a difficult time choosing what to submit, did this 9x12 pencil drawing just below just in time. The opening reception was canceled due to the tornado storms in our area last Friday. We were fortunate once again to not be directly affected but I personally know some that have. Hazel Green, Athens, New Market, Harvest, many of these areas have been seen on the national news. Some people lost there homes for the second time in 10 months, unbelievable. The tornadoes certainly seem to take similar paths, I think it has to do with the mountains, water, etc. Anyhow, my prayers to all across our nation, so sad.

8x10 Acrylic

16x20 Acrylic

I certainly hope all have been well, will be catching up with everyone.

Dark Times

Thank you all for your concern, my apologies for being so long in posting a status. Most importantly, we are all safe. We were without power until yesterday and I have been putting up our in-house camping supplies, washing clothes, took apart the insides of the refrigerator and freezer to thoroughly cleaning them. I had removed the food on about the third day but took the opportunity to clean since we had no food in them at all. Had to get to the grocery store for a few items. I knew that if I got on the computer I would be too long getting off. Our biggest relief is that BigBoy was not hurt since he was in Tuscaloosa at school. His apartment is basically located in the area, yards from the devastation of the tornado there. It was a day filled with numerous tornado warnings here and I was on the phone with him when he said a warning was just issued there. He was pumping gas. I had warned him the day before, that morning....always, to watch and listen about the weather and take it seriously. He did, thank God. His fiance was with him (will not refer to her as BigGirl), they were closer to his apartment than hers so went there, watched the tv coverage along with his roommate and two friends from a 2nd floor apartment. They watched the tornado approach until taking cover in the closet, heard the roar, felt the shaking and walked out safely to screams and a sight of rubble and devastation just yards away. Their building has some damage but is standing, unlike apartments across the street, houses, businesses, restaurants, Krispy Kreme, their favorite Japanese restaurant, a mall, much more......just unimaginable. Miraculously, his vehicle only lost windows on the passenger side, he and his friends had parked them in an area that was fortunate. He made it home Friday morning, obviously a bit traumatized. Dodged a bullet. An abrupt, tragic end to his time at school for the University of Alabama cancelled final exams and postponed graduation, semester is over. He has no desire to go back, but will have to in the future. Sadly, 39 confirmed deaths there with an astounding 300 + still missing. It was an EF5 tornado, 200+ mph, the strongest there is, and rare. There were 28 tornadoes that touched down in Alabama, another EF5 and EF4s. But we are fortunate, inconvenienced, big deal. Relieved, greatly. Sorrowful. 24-7 radio news running by generators for days due to all of North Alabama area entirely without power because the 9 main stations were twisted like toothpicks and the workers here, along with help from kind help, have done an outstanding job of getting most of us power in less than a week. Could be some hiccups along the way because this is a quick fix, so what, all of my family and friends are safe. Schools have been closed since last Wednesday.

I know this is small but this indicates the paths of the tornadoes across our state. There were hundreds reported on but not all touched down, reminiscent of 1974, the last most devastating outbreak. Like me, my mother and dad worried about my oldest brother away at school while we spent alot of time in the hallway under a mattress through the night. I never forgot that time, we spent days without power then too, three I believe. This will be my children's 1974. Something they will never forget and certainly will keep them cautious when severe weather approaches.

Please pray for those missing and those suffering. Thank you for your concern, means alot to me.

Life Can Be A Whirlwind: Update

UPDATE: Tornado warning sirens have went off for the sixth time now, storms keep popping up and coming in, not over yet by far. Local stations have been like the photo above all day long. VolleyGirl's school ended up closing, other schools in the area made the bad decision to open late then 2 to 3 hours later had to close and send kids home, some during bad weather. Already making up days due to winter snow and knew they would have to make up today if they close......now they will and also catch grief for their bad decision after it's all over. Damage in surrounding areas, some flooding, none horrific yet, but a very bad storm right now south of us, seeing a tornado on the ground there now. Bad tornado hit in at least two towns, still going.

Woke up early to dodge tornadoes today, probably all day since our area is the bullseye in highest risk today. School delayed two hours already with a message that they could close early or decide to be closed all day. Pushed His Majesty out the door at 5:20 this morning before it became really bad. Note about my last post...BigBoy's wedding date is May 14 of 2012, not next month.