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Across the Fence:  Humor is handy in certain situations  |
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Okie Farm Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
1674 Posts
Mary Beth
McLoud
Oklahoma
USA
1674 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 14 2012 : 3:45:18 PM
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We are sitting in front of the television watching the weather, having gotten our storm shelter prepared and the weather radio plugged in. Yesterday was not fun and, according to the news, tonight is going to be worse. But oh my gosh. The national news is just a hoot. They have no clue about the reality of living in Oklahoma, Texas or Kansas. First, we were told that it's a good thing that "we have eyeballs on the ground." (you ever seen eyeballs on the ground??) and then we get this big segment live from the Norman tornado where we learn that "There wasn't as much damage because Oklahomans build their homes to withstand tornadoes." Really?? And those mobile homes are the toughest, I bet!!! Oh brother. But the kicker was learning that we Okies know what it means to be "weather alert" by having our escape routes to shelter planned out and our 'go bags' sitting at the door. Go bags? What's a go bag? If I have a bag, it's full of cokes and m&ms to munch on in the shelter! :-)
Mary Beth
www.OklahomaPastryCloth.com
www.Oklahomapastrycloth.com/blog
The Sovereign Lord is my strength - Habakkuk 3:19 |
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Lessie Louise
True Blue Farmgirl
1406 Posts
Carol
PECULIAR
MO
USA
1406 Posts |
Posted - Apr 14 2012 : 5:09:05 PM
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And that was exactly what I would take! Candy and water! When we lived in California, we were told to keep a plastic garbage can (the large ones) for each person in the family full of supplies. Cuz I'm sure an earthquake won't tip over or bury those!. I am prepared for most everything, but you have to use common sense too!
....it's what's inside a women, when she's up against the land.
Farmgirl #680!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/lessielouise22 |
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Okie Farm Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
1674 Posts
Mary Beth
McLoud
Oklahoma
USA
1674 Posts |
Posted - Apr 14 2012 : 5:11:56 PM
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Carol, we have stuff prepared like that for prairie fires, etc. but going to the shelter, we just take enough for a couple of hours. The radio, fan, lantern and chairs are already down there. So cokes and candy are all that we lack! :-)
Mary Beth
www.OklahomaPastryCloth.com
www.Oklahomapastrycloth.com/blog
The Sovereign Lord is my strength - Habakkuk 3:19 |
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crittergranny
True Blue Farmgirl
1096 Posts
Laura
Lindrith
NM
USA
1096 Posts |
Posted - Apr 14 2012 : 5:31:24 PM
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Hahahaha ! What a hoot, go bags. Here in northern NM we have fires in the summer and deep snow in the winter and sheesh the things we hear too. Should we evacuate 22 horses cause there is a fire 20 miles down the road heading the other way? Or we have to detour an extra 50 miles sneaking on the back roads just to get home because some goof decides that the hyway passing 40 miles by the fire has to be closed for days even though its the only road in and people have to hello, go to work! And its probably one of the forest services prescribed burns anyway that's chokin everyone. And they make a big deal out of 3 or 4 snow storms each year having no idea that we are pretty much under at least a foot of snow for 6 months or so every winter. I guess it's just not in their brains that people actually have lives and homes. Sort of like when the doctor wants one to wait by the phone all day to give a simple answer not thinking that someone else might have to work for a living. People just need to develop a little common sense. But I hope you stay safe Mary Beth, I will send up a prayer for you.
Laura
Horse poor in the boonies.
www.nmbarrelhorses.com |
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Okie Farm Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
1674 Posts
Mary Beth
McLoud
Oklahoma
USA
1674 Posts |
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acairnsmom
True Blue Farmgirl
1319 Posts
audrey
cheyenne
wy
1319 Posts |
Posted - Apr 14 2012 : 8:45:06 PM
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Mary Beth, hope those storms passed you by. We were told we'd have the biggest snow storm of the season yet. I'm still waiting for the rain they promised to start. We've been bone dry here since sometime in February. It "spit" a few drops this afternoon but golly, doesn't even look like we'll get the 3-5" they downgraded just today! Sheesh! The national news just makes everything sound like it's a disaster and if it hasn't happened yet, IT WILL! What get's me is the local weather people start believing the hype and join in, even though they are out there on their weather deck and it isn't even raining! Hey fella in the TV, look UP! See any clouds, yeah, you know those white fluffy things that float in the air?
Well, we all know you Okies are strong stock anyway! Hope you had an afternoon of lazy sips of your coke and munching the M&M's from your "go" bag!
Audrey
.jpg) Good boy Hobbs! I love and miss you. |
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Okie Farm Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
1674 Posts
Mary Beth
McLoud
Oklahoma
USA
1674 Posts |
Posted - Apr 14 2012 : 10:54:16 PM
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Audrey, thanks for the kind thoughts. It is 1 am and I am watching our local news as tornadoes are ripping through the western part of our state. One is heading straight to the town where my son lives. He is in Texas for the weekend, but his house is there and he is renting to two people there for a month for one of the oil companies. They aren't from around here and I sure hope they know to watch the weather and seek shelter. Woodward just got creamed. Injuries and possibly deaths. Very bad storm. I guess I'll have to stay up to see if it heads our way. I'm out of m&m's and I am getting REALLY sleepy!!!
Mary Beth
www.OklahomaPastryCloth.com
www.Oklahomapastrycloth.com/blog
The Sovereign Lord is my strength - Habakkuk 3:19 |
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laurentany
True Blue Farmgirl
3259 Posts
Laurie
Patchogue
NY
USA
3259 Posts |
Posted - Apr 15 2012 : 07:04:57 AM
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MaryBeth,
Praying for you, that you are safe. I hope your son's house and his renters are ok too. I read that there were 5 people killed in Woodward, two of which were children. My heart goes out to everyone affected by this severe weather!
Please keep us posted when you can.
Hugs,
~Laurie
"Little Hen House on the Island"
Farmgirl Sister#1403
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.. |
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Okie Farm Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
1674 Posts
Mary Beth
McLoud
Oklahoma
USA
1674 Posts |
Posted - Apr 15 2012 : 08:58:35 AM
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Laurie, thank you so much. It is very painful to hear what happened to Woodward. We have ties to Woodward as my daughter represented them at Miss Oklahoma. Alva, is where my son lives and is just northeast of Woodward. They were supposed to be a direct hit, but the storm all of a sudden took a turn to the left just west of Alva. Woodward is still picking up the pieces and searches are still underway. Yes, two children were killed in a mobile home. The tornado hit the electric center so all the sirens were knocked out. Just terrible.
Mary Beth
www.OklahomaPastryCloth.com
www.Oklahomapastrycloth.com/blog
The Sovereign Lord is my strength - Habakkuk 3:19 |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22944 Posts
22944 Posts |
Posted - Apr 15 2012 : 12:19:13 PM
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Tornadoes are terrifying. We had some the last two years in our area which is really rare and it made me very grateful that we don't live in an area that has them often, let alone every year- My heart goes out to everyone affected. I hope the storms subside soon!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
[url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/wff7Xpc/]
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Apr 15 2012 : 12:20:09 PM
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I hope all is safe and that Mother Nature will give us all a break. I too do not understand folks and weather. I have not been off my farm since 12/6/11 First it was huge snow storms - one after another, then my truck decided not to work and one after another financial mess up has left me still sitting here at the farm. I have had snow past my waist for two months of this and over 80 Fiber Goats to care for all by myself. I listen to the weather guessers and they never get it right or give real information that might aid someone. I have had plenty of food because I grew up with a mother who lived in Germany thru WWII. I have done without power and many things but with each event I figure a way through. Last night they said a storm would come thru with maybe an inch of snow and I had over a foot or more and it is still going... It is important to be ready for what you can and not listen to those who talk to the people with no common sense. I pray you all to have safe weather for as long as Mother Nature will let us.. Planning is key for what you can and the rest we will pray through.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.artfire.com
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laurentany
True Blue Farmgirl
3259 Posts
Laurie
Patchogue
NY
USA
3259 Posts |
Posted - Apr 15 2012 : 12:55:17 PM
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Grace,
Praying for you too! Wow- that is a LONG time to be in one place, and I cant imagine the work of over 80 goats to take care of by yourself. Kudos to you for your positive attitude, and "can do/make do" ways! You are a true farmgirl for sure!
Praying for everyone in Natures path to be safe.
Hugs,
~Laurie
"Little Hen House on the Island"
Farmgirl Sister#1403
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.. |
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queenmushroom
True Blue Farmgirl
985 Posts
Lorena
Centerville
Me
USA
985 Posts |
Posted - Apr 15 2012 : 1:50:51 PM
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Don't you love when the weather forcaster (generally in another state or the news person repeating something told to hm/her by a weather forcaster in another state) tries to make a big deal out of nothing? What I find funny, when, in Maine, snow storms are being called for, everyone has to rush to the grocery store and stock up on a months worth of food. Most people have electric stoves. If the power goes out, unless you have a woodstove with a flat top, how are you going to cook or keep your cold food from spoiling? Most of the time (except for the ice storm of 97 or 98) if the power goes out, it's not out for more than a few hours at best.
Patience is worth a bushel of brains...from a chinese fortune cookie |
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Okie Farm Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
1674 Posts
Mary Beth
McLoud
Oklahoma
USA
1674 Posts |
Posted - Apr 15 2012 : 3:43:47 PM
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Grace, good grief! I am so hoping that you get a reprieve soon. Good for you on your stock of food, though. We do the same thing because if we have an ice storm, a blizzard or even a tornado that damages the local area, which has happened, we don't need to get out and be in the way in traffic or can stay in as long as we need. We have a wood stove and are purchasing a generator because we have power outages as long as a week so we can cook on the stove or, after the generator is purchased, in the oven without ever having to get to the grocery. So anyway, praying that you will be out from under all this soon.
Mary Beth
www.OklahomaPastryCloth.com
www.Oklahomapastrycloth.com/blog
The Sovereign Lord is my strength - Habakkuk 3:19 |
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oldbittyhen
True Blue Farmgirl
1511 Posts
tina
quartz hill
ca
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - Apr 15 2012 : 4:16:35 PM
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I have always planned on the worst possible, and if it does not happen, that is great, but if it does, I am not blindsided, and I am prepared...
"Knowlege is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad" |
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FarmDream
True Blue Farmgirl
1085 Posts
Julie
TX
USA
1085 Posts |
Posted - Apr 15 2012 : 6:46:53 PM
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I think they said GoBag because it's becoming used more. I actually have one in the car. It has a change of clothes, walking shoes, water, protein bars, and a compass. I don't want to get stranded in my heels in the middle of nowhere.
~FarmDream is Farmgirl Sister #3069
Live Today, Cherish Yesterday, Dream Tomorrow
http://naturaljulie.etsy.com
http://julie-rants.blogspot.com |
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Okie Farm Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
1674 Posts
Mary Beth
McLoud
Oklahoma
USA
1674 Posts |
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oldbittyhen
True Blue Farmgirl
1511 Posts
tina
quartz hill
ca
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - Apr 15 2012 : 8:05:17 PM
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they are still good to have in a shelter, cause you need to be able to have some supplies after...
"Knowlege is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad" |
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crittergranny
True Blue Farmgirl
1096 Posts
Laura
Lindrith
NM
USA
1096 Posts |
Posted - Apr 16 2012 : 11:28:28 AM
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I find that the weather forecasters in our area are usually pretty accurate. But maybe I'm biased cause my son was a weather observer in the marines. It's the silly media and certain government entities that bug me. Too many want to be politically correct and cover their own selves while sacrificing common sense. Too many other folks too that want to blame and sue someone for not telling them what nature is going to do next.
Laura
Horse poor in the boonies.
www.nmbarrelhorses.com |
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Okie Farm Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
1674 Posts
Mary Beth
McLoud
Oklahoma
USA
1674 Posts |
Posted - Apr 16 2012 : 11:32:20 AM
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Laura, our local guys are awesome. They get a little hyped sometimes, but usually, they are really good. One of our local weather guys is Gary England who played that same part in the movie, "Twister". It's the news guys on the east and west coasts that are silly. They have not clue what it is like to live in Tornado Alley!! :-)
Mary Beth
www.OklahomaPastryCloth.com
www.Oklahomapastrycloth.com/blog
The Sovereign Lord is my strength - Habakkuk 3:19 |
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crittergranny
True Blue Farmgirl
1096 Posts
Laura
Lindrith
NM
USA
1096 Posts |
Posted - Apr 17 2012 : 08:38:50 AM
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Yes, I think if people would learn a little about folks in other areas and different ways of life we would all be so much better off. I remember a few years ago that some of the newscasters from a New York City were making fun of a 911 call that someone had made about some cows on a freeway. They had no idea how dangerous that is. Also they made fun and went on and on with a bunch of criticism about government funded birth control implants for wild mustangs, which if they came out here and saw the suffering that it could prevent they might feel differently. I mean it's more expensive for the government to try to catch them every year and then they have to either destroy them or try to adopt them out and check on them all the time. And they are not easy to train many times. Anyway just my opinion, but I just think that folks should do a little research before spouting off.
Laura
Horse poor in the boonies.
www.nmbarrelhorses.com |
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natesgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1735 Posts
angela
martinsville
indiana
USA
1735 Posts |
Posted - Apr 17 2012 : 11:30:23 AM
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I agree that people should either research or live through something before they start runnin their mouths.
I was not only there, but trapped in our little subdivision for 5 days after the huge tornado that went through indiana about 8 years ago. We had no runnin water or electricity for 4 days. The road didn't get cleared because it was "just a back road". Thank God for cell phones! My folks put together every water bottle and milk jug of water they could find, plus coolers of ice and lots of food to bbq on the grill. We had 6 bags of charcol and walked to the creek to fill 5 gallon buckets of water for flushin with. It was hard, but we got through it. Walkin all the supplies from my folks after climbin it over many, many downed trees, for 3 miles home was not fun.
I was incensed when I heard that the news casters were callin what we went through a "minor inconvience"!!!! Let them deal with it when they have 2 small children, one still in diapers! It is something my family will never forget and will always take pride in. We pulled through something pretty rough while others walked all day to get to town.
We also had a huge list of nieghbors animals to feed each day and a big pile of house keys with names taped to them. We were trusted and in control. I would love to see some of the numbskulls on the tv do half as good as we did.
Farmgirl Sister #1438
God - Gardening - Family - Is anything else important? |
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Okie Farm Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
1674 Posts
Mary Beth
McLoud
Oklahoma
USA
1674 Posts |
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Across the Fence: Humor is handy in certain situations |
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Humor is handy in certain situations
