Many areas in western NC have been having severe pop up thunderstorms during the last week. We’ve had thunder but no rain until late yesterday evening.
The weather has been so hot that our gardens were beginning to get down right dry so I’ve been wishing one of those popup storms would stop over us and drop some rain.
Just after supper we started hearing thunder in the distance. Matt said if it rained he wanted to go stand in the shed and hear it hit the metal roof. I said it will probably miss us again.
Once the rain started it came down in torrents. There was lots of booming thunder and streaking lightning.
With severe thunderstorms there’s always a chance the wind that accompanies them can blow growing corn over. I remember several times when Pap’s corn blew over in a storm. It was always such a sad sight to see it all laying down in one direction or twisted this way and that like a herd of kids playing tag had run through it.
Matt and I sat on the couch and listened to the storm around us. Grateful for the rain and thankful there didn’t seem to be much wind with the storm. We were so wrong!
After the storm died down Matt went outside for something and saw a tree down in our driveway. In all the years we’ve lived here we’ve never had a tree blow down in the driveway.
Paul and Matt made short work of the maple and cleared the road pretty quick.
Worse than the maple tree was the huge oak that was laying in the lower portion of the big garden. In all the years Pap made a garden there’s never been a tree blow down there.
The oak is about 18 to 20 inches through Matt said. The wind uprooted it on the other side of the creek and as it came crashing down it brought part of a poplar and a maple with it. There’s a sourwood tree just below it that also came down. Hard to tell from this side of the creek if it was brought down by the oak or fell on its own.
A lot of the corn is laying down all in one direction like a giant comb was pulled through it. I’m hopeful the smaller corn will stand up on its own once the sunshine hits it and some of the larger corn might too. Of course the corn under the tree is done for—broken and crumpled like paper thrown in the trashcan.
Matt and I are disappointed about the corn, but not as much as you might think. As I said we’ve seen Pap sweat and toil and then face losses in the garden so we know it’s part of life. But more than that we see that losing a little corn and having to clear up downed trees is an easy burden compared to the loss of more important things. And even with the wind damage I’m still thankful for the rain and what it will do for our garden.
Last night’s video: Surprising Granny with the First Green Beans from the Garden.
Tipper
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Sorry to hear of the damage to your garden – lots of hard work and I know how much you enjoy eating those fruits of your labor. Hoping that a few stalks stand back up for you all.
I am sorry for all the hard work that’s gone. I grew up this way to. I have seen daddy and mom’s garden corn laying down to. I have never heard them complain and like you and Matt and that more precious things could have been lost. That is the way of life when you live off the land. God bless.
I’m sorry to hear about your storm damage! That’s so sad when you lose some of your plants. But I guess Granny might have saved herself some damage by having some of her trees cut. I just get so sad having to cut trees that we don’t do it often enough. We are in for it if it storms bad this summer I’m afraid. Hope everyone’s gardens thrive and no more damage! ❤️
on the bright side….firewood!!
My thoughts as well! Those trees will warm Tipper and Matt in a future winter. It’s still sad to deal with storm damage, and all the extra work it brings. I’m in York County, PA, and our driveway suffered in a thunderstorm Thursday night. Very hard rain, and it went on for quite a while. We didn’t have trees down this time, but a very large washout made getting out and back in very tricky. It will get repaired, but it’s a constant battle with a steep, graveled driveway. I figure that’s part of the price of having a home with as much privacy as we do. In spite of driveway damage, I am extremely grateful we didn’t get any hail.
Yes, I think that these storms are now labeled as Microbursts by the Meteorology Community. I try and stay ahead of the weather via YouTube now as it seems more accurate and a lot faster. I know theres nothing really that a person can do to stop nature taking its course, except try and take shelter. I am however, one of those folks who just needs to know what’s going on. I’m so glad that everyone is safe and I know a lot of labor and time goes into cultivating and growing your garden, but crops are replaceable, lives are not. Nature may be rearranging and making space to foster ideas for future creativity.
Such a disappointment but glad it’s not worse. And so happy you and Matt are young and strong enough and have tools to make cleanup quick work. You two can do anything.
Tipper, I am sorry to hear about your storm damage and especially your corn. Just glad you are all safe. Being in Charlotte, I am all too familiar with the storms that come up this time of year. I do not like lightening at all. Scares me to death. God Bless your family.
I’ve never been too shy to show my ignorance.
Is it too late in the year to replant where the corn was lost?
I always heard that if you replant corn by the fourth of July you can still get a harvest. Note the word “can” which translates to might.
Some of you along with me have mentioned how hot it has been this week. I saw a lady giving her chickens ice water to keep them from laying hard boiled eggs. I also saw one field of corn that looked like it had snowed, come to find out the corn had turned in to popcorn and popped because of the heat. I had better hush before lightning strikes.
“The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry”, but mice are not invested. It is a sickening feeling when you look upon your best laid plans and see them flattened.
But your best laid plan isn’t yours at all. Following that plan makes these crises mere bumps in the road.
Sorry, my mind tends to wander!
So sorry about the damage but a blessing everyone is ok, and at least you did get some rain for the garden.
Home is standing, no one hurt, Matt has a chain saw and corn can be replaced. Even in the storms God is good.
Here in the Tennessee valley we had high winds, thunder, lightning but no rain.
Your mama look so pretty on the video sitting in the sunshine…she said we need 15 minutes a day!!! Bet she had peanut beans for supper. You’ve got to love her!
Everyone have a great day!
Matt & Tipper – it saddens me to hear of the fallen trees that damaged some of the corn crop, just when it was looking so promising, but I am thankful that none of your homes were hit by a falling tree and that none of you were hurt.
Tipper, first I’m thankful everyone is ok and no homes or the shed was damaged. I am sorry that the big garden suffered some damage. Praying it’s not as bad as it looks and for y’all to be safe while cleaning up the fallen trees.
That is so disappointing, considering how hard you and Matt have worked in the garden. My area had one of those pop-up storms yesterday while I was twenty miles away running errands in Louisville. The storms have been hitting all around me, leaving my area high and dry. Thinking this would be the case again, I left the upstairs windows open and the truck windows rolled down. The NWS started texting and calling my phone with warnings as soon as I got off the expressway in Louisville. I didn’t have any damage from the storm, so I counted my blessings. My upstairs carpet needed cleaning anyway, the old farm truck smells a lot better inside, and Matt is stocking up on firewood. Aren’t we lucky?
So sorry about the garden, but glad that it wasn’t closer to anyone’s home (or shed ). Very thankful that you and all the family are okay.
It hit us, too, over in NE Tennessee. I think it will really help my cherry and apple trees grow!
I have been trying for years to find out if cherry tree leaves are toxic. My mother used to put a couple of leaves in her apple jelly until she heard that they were toxic. It had a good taste and never made any of us sick. I thought that since you own cherry trees you might have this information somewhere.
Cherry leaves can kill to cattle if they eat a large quantity of them. They are poisonous to people also if consumed in bulk. The pits of black cherries are worse but you have to eat a large quantity. Apples seeds are the same.
A few leaves in a run of jelly ain’t gonna hurt anybody unless you worry yourself to death over it.
Our sheep eat them and are always fine. But maybe they’re toxic to people…?
I saw that thunderstorm on radar. There were 6 different colors in that cell, all the way up to purple. I knew it was bad and was over you all. We kinda have a habit of watching the weather over ‘our family and friends. I was hoping you would escape damage. Sorry you didn’t quite escape but glad it was not worse, as I know you all are to. I know that sinking feeling though when you do see the damage and foresee the amount of work ahead. Gardening is like that. You have to want it enough to do all the work but not so much that losing any part of it will be too much to take. I expect there is damage all over the county and you all are not alone.
We had a lot of pop up storms last week but nothing damaging here. I have a lot of trees close to my home & now with hurricane season on us I am always concerned about them & my home. I hope the corn will begin to reach for the sky again & stand up straight like little soldiers in the big garden.
Tipper, I am sorry the storm caused a few trees to come down, block your driveway and tear up your corn. It’s enough to make a chicken go to biting! Lol Anyway, as you’ve all had to witness my complaining since Helene blew through and I actually only shut up about it 2 weeks ago when I finally got my roof on, I am here to not only lend an ear but empathize as well. Like the show Monk’s theme used to say “it’s a jungle out there!” The older I get I just don’t know what to think of the world anymore. But I’m delighted you, Matt, and the rest of the family are all fine and not a hair on your sweet heads was touched! That’s what I’m thankful for…. We had rain yesterday for spurts. It came down gently then would stop. I thank the Lord for that too! Blessings to you all!And on the plus side, you’ll have firewood for good long while. I got 6 cords stacked and still logs lay around. It was close to or over a million pounds of hickory and pine laying here not so long ago in my yard. To be honest, I’m now terrorized every time high wind or heavy rain comes and it forever changed me. After all, it was a total calamity never which had been seen here before. I pray nothing like that ever happens to me or any of you here.
Oh Tipper I’m so sorry about your corn I know how much yall look forward to it. Sure glad it didn’t hit any houses or Matt’s shed. Tell Matt to be careful cutting up those trees, maybe that boy will come and help with these that did the others. Ive been watching the True Grit family, they are so sweet we enjoy all of it. They have talked about your channel too, she just resently made kraut granny’s way after watching you do it and really likes it. Hope your corns pops back up. Love and prayers to granny always.
Isn’t that weird that those big trees fell over like that? Sounds like some good firewood. Nature did you a favor and gave you a head start, maybe a hint?
Same here in the Midwest. Hot, dry then pop up storms. I had pulled half my garlic and had it laying in the hot sun to dry a bit before I messed with it and went in for a bit and out of nowhere with no rain in the forecast, soaked before I could get it inside. Minor compared to a large planting of corn but I’m familiar with the feeling of disappointment. Maybe after it’s cleared you could throw down some watermelon seeds and cross your fingers? I know it’s late but with a mini variety and the way the weather is so wonky, maybe.
Wish you luck and pray the corn you do get is that much sweeter.
I enjoy you and your families stories very much……but if I had to choose my favorite thing about your videos and your blog it is this. You and your family look at the positive side of things. I am sorry about your corn. I have had garden damage from wind and hail before and it is such a sad feeling, but how we handle those things is more of a testament to our faith rather than shouting our beliefs down folks throats. I really appreciate how you share your beliefs. I am sorry glad that you are all ok.
I’m sorry about the downed trees, but so thankful y’all are ok. Things can be replaced. God has a plan for everything even when we don’t understand. I’m glad y’all are all okay.
I’m sorry for the damage in the big garden. I hope it’s not too bad. Clearing up the fallen trees will be a big job. I’m glad y’all are okay , though.
So sorry to hear about the garden damage but thankful you all are safe. Things could have been so much worse. But the rain will be good for the rest of the garden. Stay safe.
We got a thunderstorm in the middle of the night. It rained hard for about an hour. Our garden was getting dry also, and we are grateful that it was watered by the rain. I am so sorry about your corn, but thankful you didn’t get a tree on any of your homes or Matt’s new shed. There were lots of flash flood warnings in Southern WV yesterday. I hope and pray everyone is safe there.
Sounds like some storm. I’m glad ya’ll are safe! You’re right, there will be more corn and your time wasn’t wasted!
We got a few big rain drops then…nothing over here in NW Blue Ridge. I was sure hoping for a soaking rain too. Sad about your corn and loss of trees. I know the rest of your garden with appreciate it though.
Sorry for the damage. It’s always disappointing to have your garden damaged by storm, pest, animals, disease and etc. after putting so much work into it. We had a pop up thunderstorm Wednesday afternoon, got 1 1/2 “ of rain in 30 minutes, no damage. It was welcome after having feels like temp of 110 Monday Tuesday and Wednesday. My butter beans are full of blooms and these high temps will keep them from forming pods, but it’s all a part of gardening.
God Bless.
I am a day late and a dollar short with this comment, I didn’t get to comment yesterday. I am glad Granny got her green beans, I also love green beans. We would most often plant blue lake bush green beans or Kentucky Wonder if planting running beans. I remember my family and other families being together breaking beans, shelling beans or peas , shucking corn or other similar things while sitting on the porch. I think this old world would be a better place if we still had families doing things like that together. When my mother or mother in law would can their beans, they would sometimes add a small amount of vinegar to them. I liked the hint of vinegar taste in them. Do any of you do that?
We had very strong winds Wednesday night that did blow trees over in my area, but I did not get one drop of rain. There were storms around yesterday but again no rain. We are also quickly getting dry with no rain and the very hot temperatures. I hope it is not setting in for another hot dry summer. I am sorry about your garden. Maybe your corn won’t be as bad as you think, it can take a beating and still do pretty good. Over the weekend the deer got everything I had in my small garden except for my tomatoes. An area man riding a moped was killed this weekend after a deer ran OVER HIM.
that’s interesting about adding a bit of vinegar to canned beans. I’m going to try that. I do make hot dilly beans that I really enjoy, like hot okra pickles.
last year a deer came thru my yard and ate the tops of some sunflowers and the tops of my sweet potatoes. The sunflowers grew back but I pulled up some little potatoes that would have been really nice. But they were good. I make a stinky spray with hot pepper, onion, garlic whatever I have with a bit of soap and if I apply it often and mix it up with different smells it helps keep the critters from chewing on my plants. Wish I could invent an automatic mister that would randomly ‘fart’ out offensive smells. That might work very well combined with Matt’s bark alarm and Tipper’s ribbons! But with oak trees taking out the corn they need an iron dome.
Debra, I don’t know when they added the vinegar, but I would think it was when they were cooking their beans they were planning on canning. Like I said it was not much, just enough to get a little taste of it. I would first suggest adding a small amount to a pot of green beans you are cooking to eat before adding it to the ones you are canning. You might not like it.
I’m sorry to hear that. Grateful everyone is ok.
It’s sweltering here and we are having pop ups like you mentioned. One poured 3 inches of rain in 2 hours day before yesterday and it layed out our corn too, but we know it will stand back up in a few days. In fact, it looked better last night. One year it did this all summer and laid our hickory king down so many times that the bottom stayed laid over but the top stood back up. Strange how it looked, but it still gave us our hominy corn.
The trees are a dangerous thing. We had a big ole hackberry tree fall and take out our sheds. It was awful, but we were grateful it wasn’t our home. We have 2 huge maples that need to come down but they want $2,500 dollars each not including the stumps. A tornado twisted the tops out of them years ago and they have become unstable in the upper parts. I pray every time we have storms and high winds that they won’t fall. I hate to lose our trees. We are not able to handle them ourselves they are so big.
Sounds like my situation.
Wish you the best.
God bless, storms didn’t used to be common, but it appears they are now, every other day
So sorry to hear about your garden damage but also so glad to hear nobody was hurt. Hang in there!
So sorry for the damage but thankful you and your family are ok. Also, your home. Things can be replaced. God Bless!
I haven’t posted in quite sometime! We are here in New Braunfels , Tx. We could use some rain in our area. We are used to the pop storms going around us and tend to get a bit disappointed when they do. I’m sorry for the down trees and the toll on your garden, but praise the Lord y’all are safe! Your granny is so precious! If only our young adults could know the wisdom in their presence from whence to glean from! God bless our precious elderly. We will be praying for God’s mercy and grace for all this summer season and the potential for storms it can bring! I enjoy reading and listening to your stories in the mountains and they takes me away for just awhile! Thank you for sharing. God bless y’all and keep y’all in Jesus name. Amen.