This is what happens when you run over a tree with the Prius. I was on the way to a concert in Greenville in a storm that made it difficult to see. Less than a mile from home suddenly a tree fell across the road a few feet in front of the car. One second later and I would have been under it. Three seconds earlier and I would have missed it. I knew I was going to hit the tree and waited for the airbag to go off as the car came to a sudden stop. The car didn't stop. It bumped over the tree. And it was still running. And it continued to go and stop as it should.
I pulled off into the entrance to the park - the dam road - a few hundred feet down the road and called 911 on my iPhone. I was concerned someone else would run into it in the dark and downpour. She took the info and said she would contact the Jamestown Fire Department to get rid of the tree then connected me to the State Police. They took all my info and asked repeatedly if I was ok and if the car was drivable. I didn't want to check the damage until I could see in the storm. There had to be some damage even if the car was still running. The trooper asked if I was going home. I told him I was going on to Greenville since the car seemed drivable.
By the time I hung up the rain had stopped enough to take a look. A mess. But it looked like it was drivable if the radiator was ok. How that escaped damage is interesting to ponder. I looked and listened for problems all the way into town.
So I went on to the concert not liking the idea of walking in during. But it had not started so I had time to find a seat and exchange pleasantries (gossip) with some of my neighbors. It was in Holy Trinity, the Lutheran Church I belonged to before going to Christ Church. There were people there I hadn't seen in many years. I didn't get to talk to all of them tho.
The concert was a trio from
Apollo's Fire, a Baroque Orchestra from Cleveland. It was excellent. I loved the "human" sound of the Baroque violin and cello. So different from the modern instruments. I wish the harpsichord had been a little louder but I forgot my hearing aids so it may have been ok for most. I left the program in the car. If you really want to know what they played, let me know in the comments. Vivaldi, Bach, Buxtehude, Handel and whoever wrote the last lively piece.
On the way home, I checked out where the tree had fallen as I drove by. A trooper had called during the concert and I returned the call during intermission. He said the tree was gone, nobody else was involved and thanked me for calling. The tree crushed the armco (what do you call those big metal barriers?) on the other side of the road so it wasn't that small. Only Godde knows how the Prius bounced over it.
I'm curious to see if Erie Insurance totals the car. It has 124k+ miles.
Lady lives next door under their deck as far as we know. She's funny. When she comes to eat, she is very vocal and quite obviously demands to be fed.
Here are Tim, Tommie, PuddyTat and LittleOne.
Then, Jellico and LittleOne sleep it off.
The Right Reverend Sean Rowe encouraged us to be missionaries.
The view of the Allegheny River from the front doors.
This lovely lady's sitter invited me for tea and dessert this afternoon. She has unusual beautiful coloring, soft orange and smoke. Apparently she purrs like crazy but has no voice. She has a sister who is ill whom she seems to miss. She is visiting her staff's mother Sally for awhile.
1. Turkey in the Straw - Vassar Clements
The neighbors have two bunnies. The one in back is very furry. The black and white one is lop eared. The near one is quite friendly, the other easily scared.
The clouds this year have been very interesting. I love the Hartstown Swamp especially when the water plants begin to turn red which usually precedes the trees. This is on the north side of 322, the others to the south. They are embiggenable.
1. Soldier Boy - Shirelles
Along with the Carters, I support Habitat for Humanity. Monday, October 4, 2010 is designated this year's World Habitat Day by the United Nations. What can you and I do to help? See their web page here then get involved.
I drove up to Liberty Street and took another photo because the colors were changing.
Then I went on to choir grateful for the wonderful earth we inhabit.
If you are on Facebook and friends with Ozzie Clumber, you can see the identities of all or most of these people. The original story of the red hats is here. I've met more than a dozen of these folks in person. We are from all over. Our leader with the purple hat is MadPriest who lives in England. The gal with the drumsticks is Lindy who lives in Wuxi, China. Some of us are on the other side now. They have golden hats. As I said, I'm blessed with so many wonderful, caring and definitely interesting friends. And these are just some of my blog friends.
Republicans sure are obsessed over homosexuality. Why? Jealous? Scared? Ignorant? Or just misled by people who believe they know Godde better than anyone else and, at someone else's expense, need to believe themselves better than others?
Jellico avoids PuddyTat and LittleOne.
Tommie is not happy that LittleOne always wants to eat at the same bowl someone else is eating. Tom heads for the canned food.
Since I was taking a photo of PuddyTat eating on the ground level for a change, Jellico decided to leave. PT would have chased him anyhow.
Finally Tim doing what makes her by far the fattest of the felines. This is a rather homely little shelter I made from some shelves and constructor bags. There is a kitty thing at the back. It is one of the most popular shelters for some reason.
1. Every Time You Say Goodbye - Alison Krause
This is what it did to the guardrail. The top of the tree and lots of branches are in the creek on the other side.
The owner of the only auto body place I will allow to touch my cars is away so I won't know more until next week sometime. They are approved by my insurer too. The Prius is at home there having been a deer magnet in its early life. I'm now driving a stealth Buick with Ohio plates and PA inspection stickers. I've never owned a GM car because they are made for people who aren't built like me. By the time I get the seat close enough to reach the pedals, the steering wheel is under my chin. But this car is old enough that I can barely see over the wheel. 
This is what happens when you run over a tree with the Prius. I was on the way to a concert in Greenville in a storm that made it difficult to see. Less than a mile from home suddenly a tree fell across the road a few feet in front of the car. One second later and I would have been under it. Three seconds earlier and I would have missed it. I knew I was going to hit the tree and waited for the airbag to go off as the car came to a sudden stop. The car didn't stop. It bumped over the tree. And it was still running. And it continued to go and stop as it should.
So... yesterday the cats got two new boxes. Only Jellico is home today but PuddyTat took possession of the larger one upstairs last night.
Maybe I'll make another one for downstairs in case Dudie will use it.
1. Poisoning Pigeons in the Park - Tom Lehrer
When it came time for Quasimodo's annual physical, he had to get a new doctor because his old one had retired. After the examination, the new doc told Quasimodo that he suspected back trouble. When Quasimodo asked the doctor why he suspected that, the doc said, "Oh, I don't know. It's just a hunch".
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