All the girls in the storm shelter!
Kristy Misener – Misener Family Harvesters
I do so love my people! And I am fortunate that Tracy is one of my dear friends. So…this is because of her:
My phone has been non stop texts from my family and friends concerning our safety due to the tornado that ripped through our county and Elk City last evening. My whole family was spared any of the devastation the tornado caused. We were warned early in the day that the weather was unstable. At five thirty we had put away all we could in the shop, and headed over to my daughter, Katie, and her husband, Tim’s, house. They have a shelter built into their home – a good idea with six children (all girls).
It was starting to rain as we drove up to their house. Dan and Tim put the vehicle in the garage while another one of my daughters, Liz, her daughter and I headed inside.
The storm brought very jagged, golf ball-sized hail, 1 1/2 inches of rain and then got very still. Of course, the town’s sirens were wailing – along with various girls (their wailing was intermittent and short-lived). Each of the older girls all lead one decade of the Divine Mercies and then we lost power. That’s when even I got nervous. It got really windy again and then suddenly it was over and the sun was shining brightly. The entire time, all of the adults were able to keep track of the weather with smart phones, so we had proof the storm had passed…for the time being.
We all left to check on family and friends. Liz headed home too.
The rest of the evening was spent getting plywood, screws, and tools to help board up broken windows. Dan was asked to bring his loader tractor to the command center on the south side of town. A lot of homes near the golf course and several oilfield businesses were hit hard.
At about ten, we hit the Crowley’s storm shelter again, joined by our beloved priest, Father Chinniah. Of course, no electricity. Around midnight, we (Dan, Father and I) went home. We got power restored at 7:36 this morning. Dan has helped Father visit all parishioners today who were affected by the storm.
We are so blessed to have so many people who care about us and our town. Thanks for all of the prayers, texts, phone calls and warm messages. We appreciate them all!
A short update: Tonight (05/17/17) the news is reporting one person was killed and ten injured. One hundred homes were destroyed and the tornado is preliminarily being classified as an EF2, possibly an EF3. Winds were clocked at 135 miles per hour.
1. Be ready to go at the drop of a hat...sometimes without a lunchbox.
2. Has removed the word impossible from her vocabulary!
3. Can hold a baby, take care of a toddler and drive a tractor or combine all at the same time.
4. Must be able to cook for a crew - large or small.
5. Must be able to read minds.
6. Must be able to banter with a parts man until he realizes you DO know what you're talking about.
7. Must be the entertainment director for those rainy days.
8. Be a wife, mom, friend, helper, cook, problem solver, taxi driver or extra crew hand at all times.
9. Can handle the call that makes you react, "You need what? When?" Dropping everything you're doing to make it happen.
10. At the end of the day say, "I really do love this life".
