Frightening High Winds In Tulsa
I don’t know if you heard about the frightening high winds in Tulsa earlier this week. It was the loudest wind I’d ever heard in all my years living in this state.
And that’s surely saying something if you grow up in Oklahoma.
Unusually Loud Winds:
The wind didn’t just whine and creak and blow, it roared. So frightening was the sound that little Gracie was afraid.
Depending on the rush of the wind it might moan, scream or even sing. The sounds you and I hear are from sound waves and vibrations traveling through the air.
The wind is actually the movement of air caused by the difference in atmospheric pressure between two zones. And by the uneven heating of the earth by the sun as well as the earth’s rotation.
Living here, where the wind comes sweeping down the plains with regularity, you need to take heed of those sounds. And try to recognize the level of importance of what you’re hearing.
One tends to fear a tornado more than high winds. But the weather service says that damaging wind from thunderstorms is much more common than damage from tornadoes.
At any rate on that day, I heard sirens every few minutes. Attending to one calamity after another due to the weather.
Basking In The Glow Of The Lights:
I’m sitting here enjoying the bask of the Christmas tree lights on my tabletop tree. It’s always the lights that cheer me up on a gray December day.
Next year I have images of maybe putting up the pencil-thin tree as well as this one. Of decorating one or both and taking photos in a different home altogether.
The holidays will have a slightly different look on walls I have yet to see.
That’s down the road after we’ve moved and gone through all that that entails and had time to adjust to it.
It is exciting and scary all at the same time.
I’m concerned about the impending move’s effects on the kitties.
It isn’t as though I can explain what’s going on to them. But I wish that I could tell them the reason for all the upheaval we’ll be going through for a time.
It has begun to rain.
I hear the pitter-patter of it on the roof.
Like the sound of young children running down the stairs in their footed pajamas on Christmas morning. It’s both a soft and calming sound.
Unlike those high winds that roared through here a few days ago, this sound is gentle.
It is a melody, a song that lulls and relaxes.
As is my nature, I have to inject one of my “factoids” here. According to researchers, we love rain and other water noises because we perceive them as non-threatening.
The simple and repetitive sound of water allows us to rest our overstimulated brains.
A New Path For Us:
Soon we’ll be starting down a new path. In a matter of weeks our life someplace else will begin.
I just want to get it done and be past it. To arrange my furniture and decorate my walls. And then share my new home with all of you.
I want Ivy and Gracie to spread out in the bigger space and find new places to hide and play.
For “home” to greet me from behind another door.
All anyone can really ask for in life is contentment. Remember that contentment is not a sense of excitement. Instead, it is a peaceful state of mind.
“When you are discontent, you always want more, more, more.
Your desire can never be satisfied. But when you practice contentment, you can say to yourself,
‘Oh yes – I already have everything that I really need.”
– Dalai Lama
Great post, Brenda. I do love the sound of rain, and find it soothing. But wind? It’s rare that we have the kind of winds here that you have, but boy, there are times that it is so loud and strong, that I worry about trees coming down (which they have, on occasion). Glad you were safe and cozy in your home. Soon the move will be behind you, and everyone will happily settle in.
For your kitties try this — put a dab of butter on their noses as soon as you get them to your new apartment (or even just before you put them in their kitty
carrier). They will lick it off and it calms them and makes them feel safe. I’ve done it with my kitties and it works like a charm. I usually do it for a few days until things have settled down and they’ve had a chance to explore. Hope it works for your fur babies.
I heard about your high winds on TWC ~ I’m glad you are OK ~
Put the girls in their kennels long before the move, take them to the new place and put them in a bathroom. Less stressful for them ~ and you!
I hope your move goes smooth and you and your babies love your new place. I agree, moving is very stressful…but its always nice to redecorate a new abode. Take care and I hope you find helpers to assist so as not to hurt yourself..I have a bad back myself and I know its easy to get a pull if not careful. ……….Have a very Merry Christmas in your beautifully decorated home. Thanks for sharing your blog..I love all of the nice ideas you present for the home and life, and your beautiful photography.
Your photo of the flower in the glowing light is breathtaking. Don’t worry about your move. You have so much to look forward to next year. Your readers have so much to look forward to also—-Your beautiful photos, your lovely decorating and your heartfelt stories. You go girl! You have got this! The journey may be slightly bumpy but the destination will be amazing. Your kitties may sense any anxiety so try hard to just get through the move. Take it step by step and be proud of yourself and all that you have accomplished.
When I moved a few years ago I boarded my dog overnight and for a day so he wouldn’t be upset by the movers. He settled into our abode quickly.
Sympathy in the high wind…that noise is most disconcerting indeed!! I remember the few hurricane edges we lived through in NC…there was some most scary days. Basically because those huge pine trees can plummet to earth. I hope you will be living in a much safer and quieter place in the new apt…if newer, hopefully better insulated and quieter!!
Ivy and Gracie will be fine and you will be with them, I think that will make a difference, because they know you’ll be there to take care of them. I know when we moved several times with a cat, that it was a big treat for them, to go snooping in a new place, and then when finished doing that, taking a nap on a pile of blankets, that hadn’t been put on the beds yet. Animals adjust better than us, I think. Don’t worry Brenda, just think of living in a safe place with the pets you love. The move will be over before you know it, and the fun decorating will begin..Wishing you good vibes, and hugs from WI.
We had 118 mph wind gusts here in Wyoming. The wind blows 25 out of 30 days a month. We are used to it.
That was a huge storm front that passed all the way from southwest to the Ohio River valley and hit where I live in Southeast Wisconsin for two full days on 12/15 and yesterday until well after it got dark. We had strong wind warnings and then wind advisories for 48 hours. I don’t know what the strongest wind gust recorded was in the area, but forecasts were for gusts as high as 80 mph. The wind was roaring, there’s no other way to describe it. I didn’t sleep well the first night. I kept waiting to hear a crash boom from a tree falling on my house or tornado sirens going off at 2 a.m. On moving day Ivy and Gracie need to go into their carriers and moved out of the house into a safe quiet place, preferably with a person they recognize as a friend, before all the moving begins. Pets get very upset when they see things being uprooted in their home and they don’t understand what’s going on. My brother and sister-in-law moved many years ago and their cat disappeared on moving day. They were broken-hearted. They figured the cat must have snuck out of the house while the movers were going in and out putting things into the moving van. What happened was their kitty, upset by the upset, crawled into the box spring somehow and was actually moved into a storage shed with other household items. She was there for 3 days until my brother went to pull some things out of storage and heard meowing – found the cat, thank goodness! The cat was fine, hungry and thirsty but otherwise fine. There is advice on line on how to make sure pets get through a move safely.
Hi winds are very scary. I can only imagine the fear of all of the people who have experienced this terrible weather this year, including yourself.
I am so excited for you to get to your new place. I am sure that you are tired of being in limbo but soon it will be finished.
Happy Christmas my friend to your and your little fur kids.
Brenda~
I traveled from Denver to Florida,during the heat of August, with my three cherished felines in the car. they traveled well as we overnited in a motel one night..they explored, did their business, ate their food.. and soon were awaiting me joining them to sleep. we again overnited at at a relatives with no problem,
Upon arrival to their new home in Florida, i sat up the litter box and food station with plenty of water.. their favorite blanket was at the foot of the bed.. but their best surprise was a kitty door leading to the screened lanai!
after the divorce, the felines and i’ve moved many times..always with ease. the key is familiarity..their favorite things, a piece of clothing worn by you..and especially YOUR mood..you know how sensitive to our emotions our babies can be..if you are anxious , picking up on it will have them anxious too!
I’m wishing you wonderful holiday memories as you transition from the old into the new! You and the kitties will be having such a grand adventure! <3
Wind can be very scaring sounding. Here we have trees in the woods that creak and groan loudly
with the wind gusts. Very eery sounding. I wouldn’t worry about the kitty’s and the move. Animals are remarkable at adjusting to new places. They will see it as adventure. The actual physical part of moving is exhausting, but it will be so worth it for you. I know you will be much happier and relaxed there. And , just think of all the new material you will have to blog about. I am looking forward to hearing all about your new journey. Decorating a new place- how exciting! Just remember to go go slowly and pace yourself and take care of you first!
I am excited for you Brenda, for Ivy and Gracie moving to your new home. Once you are settled in I am sure all three of you will be able to enjoy the new space and settle down to a wonderful new experience.
Brenda, I would like to pin some of your lovely photos to Pinterest. How do I do that here?
So happy for you that you’re moving to a wonderful new place. Be sure and put your kitties in their carriers and in a quiet room away from the chaos of moving. Maybe in your bathroom at the new place would be easy for them, with some of your recently worn clothing in their carriers to comfort them with your scent.
On the photo you want to pin, hover over the far left-hand top and a Save button will appear. Click on that.