Pope Pages

Memorial Day is usually reserved for cook outs, camping and remembering loved ones, but this year had a little more in store for us! It started in central Nebraska on Friday. In my home town of Cozad they received over 10 inches of rain and the town flooded.

Cozad is located in the Platte River Valley, and it’s as flat as a table top. When that much water falls there’s nowhere for it to go. Thankfully my parent’s home was spared any water damage – just barely. Water was up to the sliding back door of the house. They are currently holding their breath – and cutting back on flushing – and hoping it doesn’t rain anymore for awhile.

Eastern Nebraska wasn’t spared any of the weather fun. That same storm roared over our little farm around 2 a.m. and literally shook the walls. We did not get much rain however.

Then it was our turn again Sunday night, and it was worse the second time around. We thankfully got everything inside right when it hit – 70 mph winds and buckets of rain.

The storm blew out as fast as it blew in. We had water come in the house and the basement, but suffered no damages. We did loose one giant ponderosa pine, but it was nowhere near our place. It was snapped in half, and it was a good 10 inches across.

We learned later that we had experienced wind speeds equivalent to a category one hurricane. I can’t image how terrifying a category five must be!

Besides the violent weather the rest of the weekend was very nice. On Saturday we spent the day with our dear friends Rich and Marcy and their two kids, Owen and Norah. Addie had SO much fun with the kids. And Dennis and I always love hanging out with some of our dearest friends. That night the grown-ups got to go out on a double date (thank you Derek and Malia!). We had a wonderful meal and went to see the latest Indian Jones movie. Perfect. (even if the ending was a little goofy.)

On Memorial Day we got our cook out in. Maggie and Collin invited us over for burgers and s’mores. Addie loves any chance to get together with Syd, and I love any chance to not spend the day home alone while Dennis slogs away out at camp! (thank you Aldrich’s!).

So, despite the storms and touch of sadness (Saturday would have been Ellen’s 39th birthday) it was a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. Good times with good friends, and good memories about loved ones lost.