From the last of the summer blooms to the changing of the leaves… Fall is Here! The Fall season brings apple and pumpkin season, gentle breezes and the solitary tune of the wind chimes. Fall hints at cooler temperatures, the changing of the sun cycle bringing less daylight creating a colorful change in nature through leaves turning and falling, crunching under foot. The vibrant colors that light the morning and evening skies… Autumn has arrived. As we head into the holiday season, here’s to celebrating Fall ONE last time.
Apples are in Season! Time for pumpkins!!
October Skies… Simply Amazing
Changing of the Leaves
Leafy Carpet Blown Away The Vibrancy of Fall Light filtering throughMajestic Colors Stumped Look Up and Enjoy the ViewA Sneak Peak of Fall In Full ColorAutumn’s Glory Fall Magic The Glory Days of Autumn Finding the Colors of Fall A Walk in the Woods Jethro is enjoying the Leaves everywhereWhere the Leaves Meet the Water Peaceful Retreat Fall Making a Splash Fall SerenityRainy Autumn Days Plentiful Acorns Abundance of Berries A Quiet Place
Thankful for the opportunity to enjoy another beautiful Fall season! 🍂🍁 Thank you for reading and sharing.
Are you a Sky Watcher? Do you find inspiration or joy each day by the watching the bright blue skies? Ever find yourself looking up for the storm clouds that are forming around the edges of the skyline? The Sky is a magnificent canvas that “paints” our daily world. The Sky “canvas” changes from day to day, as well as our weather.
Storm clouds rolling in Summer of 2025 near WCH
It was another ordinary teaching workday. By October in the “teacher world” we are fully engaged into our curriculum and integrating every single factual nugget into any conversation. I’ll admit that Seventh grade science and Social Studies provided an excellent opportunity to learn more about our weather. We routinely followed storms in the Atlantic, all the while, honing our Social Studies skills of mapping, and plotting latitude and longitude coordinates. This wasn’t a unit that we completed and left behind in the Fall, we continued to discuss it as the year progressed as the seasons changed. But let me get back to the subject here…
Graphic notes were a standard form of learning in my classroom to help students piece information together in a new unique meaningful way.
It truly was a typical day, a Monday. Normally, I would stay and work and prep for the next school day, until around 5pm. There was always plenty to do, papers to grade, grades to put into computer after grading, run copies, set up graphics for the next day, the list was long. But at 4:00 pm on Monday October 23, 2017, I decided to go home. Actually, something told me internally to go home, so I did. I’m very thankful that I chose to go home.
My drive home from work averaged about 20 minutes, by the time I arrived there, the weather was changing rapidly. I’m not really sure that I was noticing the dramatic weather changes from the skyward view.
My son was already home from school, snacking, doing homework. We both quickly realized that a significant thunderstorm storm was approaching. The sky was painting up a stormy forecast. Gathering up the pups and ourselves, we sheltered in place in the bathroom, this was a first for us.
We had 3 sweet pups at that time…Bella, Elvis,and Gigi
I had gotten a text message from my brother in law who said a tornado warning had been issued for our area. This was significant news for me because he works for the National Weather Service in another nearby state. Shelter in place was necessary. Meanwhile…. Richard was trying to get closed up at the hardware store, but the storm came up way too quickly and he had to wait it out. The storm rolled through our area and caused significant damage in our local communities.
Trees were uprooted along Greenway
In the aftermath of the storm, Richard had a difficult time finding a way around the storm chaos, broken tree limbs, downed trees were scattered across most major avenues.
These items are always in demand after a big storm
If you are local, you probably remember this storm, because it did cause significant damage to our community and the National Weather Service surveyed our area and found that an EF-1 tornado touchdown had occurred.
Sadly, another tornado touchdown was confirmed in April 2024 in Wilkes. Hurricane Helene hit our surrounding communities in September 2024. Severe Weather can leave a defined impact upon our communities.
That’s thing about Severe Weather… it can occur anywhere and seemingly anytime under the right conditions. What is classified as Severe Weather??? Thunderstorms, flash flooding, damaging winds, tornadoes, large hail, extreme temperatures (hot or cold), and winter storms (ice/snow).
Ice Storms can create power outages
A heavy downpour can quickly wreak havoc. A large, powerful thunderstorm cell can unload a large amount of rainfall in an area in a short period of time. We have personally experienced the power of water. A very short, severe thunderstorm brought flash flooding into our hardware store in August of 2020.
Several inches of water infiltrated our hardware store 5 years ago, in an unexpected and very heavy rain storm
Water is a powerful force, you can’t physically stop the flow of that water. Think about the power of water flowing in a river and going against that flow to stop it. Yes, not happening.
Severe weather happens. Is it happening more frequently??? Last September, our mountain neighbors, witnessed devastation with Hurricane Helene. For our mountain neighbors, it will be a long recovery timeline.
I know my storm experiences aren’t unique by any stretch. Living life today, we all probably have personal stories of how storms have impacted our daily lives. Trees land in precarious places, power outages occur, bursting water pipes from extreme temperatures, technology failures happen, shortages of needed supplies, the list is long!!
WCH has ready stock of storm suppliesFolding pruning blade would come in handy to quickly trim up any smaller branches from a downed tree after severe weather
But, how can we be always ready for impactful weather, whenever it happens? Now, is a perfect time to gather together any needed essentials as 2025 Hurricane season is churning up OR even before the cooler “BER” days begin.
Keeping a few essential items on hand for such emergencies will help eliminate the stress of locating needed supplies after a impactful storm.Severe weather can occur in any season: winter snow/ice storms, thunderstorms, flash flooding, damaging winds, tornadoes, hail, or temperature extremes.
Begin by building OR refreshing your Emergency Kit:
When the lights go out… you will need batteries, flashlight, oil lanterns, lamp oil, matches, battery powered lightbulbs, and think about how will you power up your devices during an extended outage… like a power bank.
WCH Recommends: Portable, multi purpose power bank to charge your devices, can be used as an air compressor, and jump start.WCH Recommends: Keep your batteries well stocked! WCH Recommends: These absolutely work beautifully during a power outage!!!Flashlights are readily availableWear this headlamp after the power goes out… you can clearly map out an area in your view Pop up lanterns are great for a power outage, place them around the house WCH “Old School” Essentials
Brrr… it’s cold!!!
Power is out, and it’s freezing outside, do you have an alternate heating source? Make sure that your smoke detector and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly as well!
Kerosene heaters offer an excellent alternative for heating during an extended power outage. WCH services these heaters each season for our customers.Plasma lighter would be perfect inside your emergency kit or for camping trips Need a quick warm up??? These logs will work great, burn for 3 hours. WCH Recommends: Protect outdoor faucets before frigid temperatures are forecasted.
Helpful tools- quick repairs might be needed during a severe weather event like having to turn off the water, taking care of fallen branches, securing items down, etc. Here’s a quick list of some basic tools that might be helpful: multi-tool, tarp, rope/ paracord, gloves, folding pruning saw, chain saw, duct tape, hammer, wrench, pliers, shovel, whistle, dust masks… just to name a few!
Hand tools are always readily available at WCH Tarps and rope… severe weather essentials
Food: Planning for this can be tricky during a power outage : Refrigerator and freezers need to stay closed in a short temporary power outage. Food will spoil quickly in a matter of a few days without adequate cooling. It is Always good to keep bottled water, a manual can opener, and non perishable food on hand. It is also good to have extra paper products on hand (plates, cups, paper towels, trash bags)
An old fashioned hand held can opener always a kitchen staple… two styles available at WCHGood for cleaning up around the house or after severe weather events
Thinking about food preparation– do you have a way to warm food safely without power? Camping size grill??? Gas grill??? Camping stoves???
Lodge makes a Cast Iron Grill… a great camping essential or great for power outages New item alert!!! WCH “Old School” Essentials These always sell out during power outages, storm season
Pets: don’t forget to include your pets into the food equation!
Jethro says to keep all medications ready to go as well as food
First Aid kit and Personal Care: in addition to the basic first aid kit, make sure needed prescriptions are included, alongside the daily essentials like toothpaste, shampoo, etc
Documents: In case of an emergency evacuation, have your important documents AND an extra set of keys ready to go!
WCH Recommends: Having an extra set of keys… house and cars… or other important keys you might need access to kept with your most valuable documents.
WCH can order a fire safe box for all of your documents… ask us about that soon if that’s something you need!
Coming soon to WCH… Fire Safe Chest 14x11x6 Coming soon to WCH!!! This document bag will stand up to basic fire and water resistance standardsWCH Recommends: Milwaukee Marker… writes on sawdust, wet or almost any surface!!!
Stay Connected: Emergency information is available for many types of situations at Ready.Gov or stay tuned to the ever changing weather conditions locally OR use the National Weather Service as a resource. Free apps to download: American Red Cross, FEMA just to name a few. A weather radio is always a great way to learn more about fast approaching storm fronts when the traditional outlets (internet, radio, tv, etc) are not available.
Lastly, don’t forget the fun… board games, puzzles , legos, card games… things your kids don’t always have the opportunity to enjoy everyday when the power is out.
I had no idea when I began in early September with the idea of focusing my monthly photography blog post from one specific location in mind, that by the end of the month that it would become bittersweet, touching, and memorable. Friday September 27, 2024 was a game changer day in Western North Carolina.
The Western North Carolina landscape has been critically altered due to the forces of nature. The beautiful Blue Ridge has been changed by the devastating path of Hurricane Helene. Towns have been erased by this path of destruction.
My heart hurts for so many families and mountain communities as they begin to try to recover and rebuild. Numb might actually be a better word. Mountain Communities are now isolated from the outside world grasping for all avenues of assistance and support, losing everything they own while helping others all at the same time.
My family, like many of you, experienced several days without power and full internet connection. In our many years of married life, this was the longest stent of power failure that we have ever experienced. I now have two completely clean refrigerators/freezers… all food was not salvageable. But, it’s ok. We are literally several minutes away from a path of destruction and very lucky that our storm damage wasn’t more severe.
During the stent of no power… We had time with family, time to laugh while playing board games, and dinners with friends who had power at their home.
I’m also thankful for the many people who stopped by the hardware store to check to make sure we weathered the storm well , or sent us messages. We simply live in a great, giving community. Thank you!
The news of the storm’s fury was front and center in my social media feed when I had the opportunity for a moment to visualize the aftermath of Helene during the power outage and still almost a week later, it dominates our news cycle. It has been hard to imagine this type of devastation in my mind. Towns and communities are literally gone.
We as business owners, do fully understand the power of water and the force behind it. Flooding is not an experience that we wish share with anyone else, a tremendous amount of empathy lies within.
Last Saturday morning, we began to witness the influx of customers who are traveling down from their mountain homes to find needed supplies. This trek still is continuing into this week. Supplies are selling out quickly and we are trying to reorder as fast as we can to accommodate our customers needs.
Western North Carolina communities need our support wherever you can give it. Do what you can to assist Western North Carolina Relief Efforts. Donate time, resources, or money to those charities that are well vetted where the most money can benefit those in need.
Mountain Communities are requesting that only relief workers be allowed into the area so the clean up can continue and allow for the arrival of much needed materials.
My hope is that this September montage will bring solace to your Blue Ridge Mountain wandering soul and lift your spirits in the coming days. A simple pictorial offering… a remembrance to our beloved Blue Ridge Mountains prior to the devastation we witnessed last week. I present to you, The Blue Ridge Mountains are calling and I must GO! My photographic Blog Journal from September 2024.
An Afternoon Wandering at Doughton Park
Blue Ridge Parkway Sunsetsare simply stunning
Price Lake Never Disappoints
Saturday Evening Sunset Drive
In closing I’m sharing one of my all time favorite benedictions and prayers: The Franciscan Benediction, as we all continue our work to restore and rebuild in Western North Carolina.
MAY GOD BLESS YOU with discomfort, at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships so that you may live deep within your heart.
May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.
May God bless you with tears, to shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger, and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain to joy.
And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in the world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done, to bring justice and kindness to all our children and the poor.
AMEN
Living the "hardwarelife", join us in our journey of hardware store ownership
The Hardware Life - A wife's journey into the hardware business 