While we were on holiday a tree fell on our house!

On July 12th a freak storm hit Sedgewick and the surrounding area uprooting mature trees, breaking off others and generally wreaking havoc. We were camped just west of Denver that night and didn’t have internet access so we were totally oblivious to what had happened until about 24 hours later when we began receiving messages and photos from concerned friends and family. Perhaps that was just as well. By the time we heard the news, the tree had been removed and people were able to assure us that the damage was minimal. A friend had also checked our basement and let us know that, unlike many others, it was totally dry. We felt very blessed to have so many caring people watching out for us!

The tree was not ours and the damage was indeed very minor involving only fascia, soffit, eavestroughing and shingles at one corner. There was also damage to one section of the fence.

Other than falling victim to the neighbours’ tree, our property was virtually untouched. The golf course did not fare as well, however. We heard reports of 50 to 60 trees down and had a hard time visualizing what that must look like. Yesterday, we went for a round and found ourselves focusing more on what had happened to the course than on the game itself. In my opinion, a few of the changes are positive ones. An overhanging branch that has been my nemesis since I started playing the game is gone! Hallelujah! A couple of shaded greens will receive a lot more sunlight than in the past which may or may not be good for the grass. Only time will tell. There are a lot of bare spots, however, that take away from the beauty of the course and sadly, some interesting challenges have been lost.

Last night we went out to Louis’ farm to check on the crops. Though the wind had almost flattened a large storage shed and blown one of its heavy doors across the yard, the crops themselves are looking great. The wheat is just beginning to turn colour and as long as the weather doesn’t create any more havoc, we should be ready to begin harvest in a few weeks.