Finally...Dryness!!!

How amazing it feels to be dry after being soaked to the bone. The rain was still pouring from the sky, and the deluge was still washing through the garden, but it made no difference to us. The mums were out of harm's way, and we could watch the storm at our leisure from the comfort of the house. It was a wonderfully peaceful afternoon. The hurricane was still raging, but it seems that a storm outside only strengthens the calm inside. Lunch was made, conversation was had. I read and watched the kids play. Every few minutes, we had weather updates, but there was not really any concern. The flowers were safe, and the house and barn were above water. The roads were closed, but even that did not worry us.
As the rain calmed a bit, we ventured outside to survey the damage. The water was still high, but not nearly what it was earlier. Bits of the road had simply collapsed into the ditch where the stones under the road had been eaten away by the flood.
We spent the afternoon and evening playing games, reading, and talking. I could get texts through on occasion, so I kept family and Facebook updated with what was happening.
In the early evening, I went out for a drive. Waterfalls that were not there before cascaded down the rock faces at the side of the road. Townshend Lake was around twice its usual size, and there was no beach to be seen. I walked down the road leading to the beach, and in the ditch beside it, water was still running, draining off into the lake.
I continued past the dam, but did not get far before I came upon a yellow gate that blocked the road. Continuing on foot, I found the reason for the gate. There was a narrow gorge that the road was supposed to pass over, but instead, the road simply ended and resumed again on the opposite side of the gorge. The guardrails remained, suspended over the water, and looking for all the world like two swinging bridges. For some reason, they lent an eerie air to the scene.
As I crossed back over the dam, the sun was peering out around the clouds. It had come out just in time to set behind the mountains. But it put on a spectacular show as it did so. I was glad that I waited to go for a drive when I did, because it was so gorgeous.
We had pizza for dinner and waited for the power to go out. We knew it would only be a matter of time. But surprisingly, it held on until 8 o'clock. Long enough to have supper and to get coffee made for the morning.
When the power went out, we used candles and oil lamps for reading. It was lovely. It was quiet and peaceful, with good conversation and good time to read and write. We listened while Kathy read a story to Ben, and then while Pr Mark read the story of the wise and foolish builders. Very fitting for this day.
Reading by lamplight is a far better way to end the day than being on the computer. Being connected through facebook and such things is nice, but it keeps your mind stirring far longer than necessary, while reading by lamplight eases you slowly down into rest.