When Life Spins Out Of Control, We Have To Accept And Deal With it
An intense storm hits us, destroying our splitter shed, our truck breaks down, help is delayed as our plans go awry and life spins out of control.
STILL MOUNTAIN CHRONICLES # 5 Wednesday March 29, 2023
Photo Credit: Chinmayan
The latest storm swept in last night just after sunset, pushed by powerful winds, and unleashed a terrific amount of rain that kept falling in one of the most intense down pours of the entire winter all night long.
Flood warnings were issued for our valley, but since we are on the very edge of the “one hundred year flood plain”, I knew the rest of the valley would have to be under water before it reached us.
Since we have had a few almost sunny days before this storm, I knew that all the creeks would have a high flow capacity so that though some streets and roads and low lying houses might go underwater, I believed our place would be safe.
After so many atmospheric rivers that I have lost count, we are now such veterans that the latest storm warnings did not faze me at all.
We have been going through so much for so long now that we have completely adjusted to and fully accepted that this is our reality.
When I went to bed after publishing last nights “Dawning Light”, I felt completely safe to lie in bed and listen to the rain pounding the roof of this tiny house as if it were a symphony being played for me by the divine and I chose to enjoy and feel comforted by it.
This morning, my window reveals a tattered and soggy world outside as this huge storm that radar shows is hundreds of miles long and wide, slowly passes over us, heading east.
What I did not know until I went outside, was that the intense sustained rainfall that had lasted all night had destroyed our splitter shed in the firewood yard. There was so much rain that it literally made the shed’s roof completely collapse into a heap of broken support beams.
Photo credit: Chinmayan
Seeing it crushed and broken was quite a shock, but we have little choice but to “take it in stride”.
One corner of the shed is still standing just enough that I can reach the splitter and do production in a pinch. Of course, we will build it back much better and stronger than ever later.
My Plans Go Awry, Our Four by Four Breaks Down and The Day Veers Out Of Control
Yesterday, we got a fresh lesson of how quickly well laid plans can go awry and the day suddenly changes beyond my control.
We knew this massive storm was on its way, so I decided to harvest more fire wood before it arrived.
I had loaded my fire wood making tools into our Four By Four and driven about 15 miles to one of our oak harvest sites, with the intention of getting a load of wood for a family who called late the night before in a desperate search for wood for their home.
Our truck is usually ultra reliable because we take very good care of our vehicles and had just invested nearly 3k in repairs and maintenance.
I parked next to a large pile of oak rounds, got out to see where I needed to place the truck for most efficient loading.
When I got back in, and turned the ignition key, there were clicking noises but the truck wouldn’t start. One minute it was working perfectly and the next, it was broken down.
My well laid plans for the day crumbled to dust. I spent the rest of the day trying to deal with it, but, as sometimes happens, my efforts were met with obstacles and difficulties.
Ani drove down in her car with a battery jumper, but after repeated failed attempts to start the truck with it, we realized we had a much bigger problem than just a dead battery.
I called Triple AAA to come pick up the truck and take it to our trusted friend’s shop for repairs.
After several calls and messages telling me they were on their way, and after sitting for hours waiting for them, another rep finally called to tell me they actually wouldn’t tow it if the truck’s cargo bay had firewood in it.
By then, it was late afternoon.
Though I tried to persuade her to make an exception for me, lady from Triple AAA was adamant, but it was simply too late.
Another fire wood customer was driving from faraway to get wood from our yard and would be arriving soon.
So, I had to cancel the tow, lock up and leave the Four by Four behind.
I asked Ani to come get me, and we rushed back to Still Mountain with just barely enough time to get the traveling ladies order ready and meet her and load her order into her truck…just before the storm hit us.
By then, it was long after dark. We were exhausted from the roller coaster day and I sought the comfort of my bed covers as heavy rain drummed on the roof.
This morning, while the storm was hammering us, and after discovering the wrecked splitter shed…I set off in our little Ranger pick up to take care of the stranded Four by Four.
Photo Credit: Chinmayan
I had no choice the day before but to leave it where it had broken down over night.
Unfortunately, though it was legally parked on the road’s shoulder, it was in front of a ladles house who became extremely upset that it was there all night.
She came to see me in a really angry mood, yelling furiously at me that I had better get it moved or she would call the Sheriff on me for trespassing.
She stomped off without giving me a chance to reply.
I was rattled but instead of getting upset and defensive, I chose to shake off my own dark mood from all that had happened in the past 24 hours and shine my light instead.
I threw off the wood from the Four by Four’s cargo bay, and waited for Triple AA to come to my rescue.
The tow truck that was on its way to me was suddenly diverted to clean up a car that had just been wrecked on the freeway when the driver lost control in the heavy rain.
Photo Credit: Chinmayan
After waiting patiently for two more hours, the tow truck finally arrived.
I expressed my heartfelt appreciation to the tow truck driver, who then quickly and expertly loaded our stricken Four by Four onto the back of his big truck during a lull in the rain and delivered it to our friend’s shop just as night was falling.
I breathed a long sigh of relief, knowing that our Four by Four would receive the loving care it needs and be restored in the coming days.
I sang songs of gratitude and praise all the way home. Ani and I shared a delicious dinner, both of us weary but happy that we had met the challenges of the past two days and done what we needed to do to emerge victorious.
As I write this its nearly dawn of the following day…and the rain storm is still continuing unabated outside. I choose to celebrate, to rejoice, to flow with it…and see it as a blessing…come what may!
Photo Credit: Chinmayan
RIDE THE WAVES Life is like an ocean. It can be calm and serene Or rough and wild. But in the end, It is always beautiful To those who are willing to Ride the waves. —Angel Chernoff
Image Credit: Still Mountain Meditation Center
You've been through so much in the past couple of days. But after rain comes the rainbow. May you be blessed with happy, bright days ahead.