It seems that today has been a busy day with things happening right where we live. Our biggest concern is for Shanon and everyone living where the tornadoes and sever weather is a factor.

Also, today, Blossom has posted two articles that happened very near her... one is about the baby alpacas, and the other is about "Freaky Beaky" and the kind woman who made sure this bird was taken care of.

Then, I think about the snow storms in Denver this past winter that so affected Crystalslove and her family. I also remember the "Deer on ice" near Shanon.

I am sure that there is more...but these immediately come to mind! Perhaps those of you who posted these stories today can re-post them here too.

This will be a great way to keep up with things that are happening right where we live. We are family here and these are the things that we would want you to know... and the good things... to share with us!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Catbus,

Hello made it home, good thing I can swim lol 3" of rain in 2.5 hours and another system coming thru in the next hour. Here are photos of some of the damage from yesterdays Tornado's. What always amazes me, and you will see in these,are the rainbows that appear after these events.

http://www.kfor.com/Global/link.asp?L=234967

It could have been worse. The following clip is from the May 3rd 1999 toranado that hit, and to date is the largest one to hit a major City. The wall on this was 2 miles wide, and came within 2 miles of my house. I stood on my front porch and watched this F5 monster move.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Trr5HG6swKg

P.S. Although it looks like night time. This hit in the afternoon. The darkness was caused by the tornado and the debris

This message has been edited. Last edited by: shanon,

Unbelievable! The power, the destruction, the fear,....yet you are given the opportunity to see the beauty of a rainbow....God's promise of hope!

It is crazy to see that dark cloud looming overhead...knowing that at any moment it can touch down. To top all this off, I would imagine the loud ringing of the sirens would add even more fear. I believe that is why God then gives a rainbow. This is unbelievable footage and photos....the power of nature!

Here is what I am doing Saturday morning!...8:00 am my time. Once you click on the link.... you will see that you can go to a live video feed! The bridge run is capped at 50,000 people. People from all over the world participate! Trust me... you will be amazed!
A beautiful bridge... a unbelievable view... ... a great run!
http://www.wcbd.com/midatlantic/cbd/Special_Sections/Bridgerun.html

Shanon those pictures are amazing, scary but amazing, I hope you are still ok.....

Cat, good luck on the bridge run, please tell us all about it later..

CRIKEY CROCS RULE!!

Go for it Cat - Good luck today!

Cat I hope your not too tired after your run, i've just watched the videos and looked at the pics, are you on any?..Well done hope to hear about it soon..

CRIKEY CROCS RULE!!

HI, Catbus the bridge run looked great fun, let us know how it went.
Shanon, that tornado looks very scary, we do have tornado's over here but not as bad as that one, hope all is well with you.

G'day to all! Thanks for the encouragement and wishes for the brdige run! It is work.... big incline that you think you will never make...but then the bridge provides you with lots of inspriration and fun! I will tell you what I mean.

First, here is a story in the newspaper this morning. It is about five men that have run every single bridge run the last 29 years..this makes their 30th year! And I will give you a clue... they did not start when they were 20!
http://www.charleston.net/assets/webPages/departmental/...87&pubDate=3/31/2007

So, that was part of my inspiration at 5:00 am this morning! I believe the final count was at 40,000. In 2005, we had close to 50,000...it was the last run on the old bridge before the new one was to be opened. In 2006, it was the first run on the new bridge, we topped 50,000. I believe the numbers this year are at 40,000...and here is what I saw running along the way....

*The wheelchair race!

*A woman who is a breast cancer survivor!

*A man who was the reciepent of a liver transplant!

*Several pregnant women...one 8 months pregnant!

*A man who lost his eyesight, and was being led by a service dog!

*A Marine running with an athletic prosethis for his left leg! I stopped for a moment at his pace and chatted with this gentleman...with tears in my eyes, I said thank you for defending our country...and thank you for your inspiration! I felt such pride and honor to be running along side him!

This day has given me pride and joy and a feeling of thankfullness for all I am and all I have! I am proud to be among the wonderful people who run this bridge and give us all the insight on what this world is about! I am blessed for this experience... and wanted to share it with you.

I hope by tomorrow I can have some video links posted... especially from "top of the bridge!"

Congratulations Cat you are an inspiration to us all, you were among some very special people, and may I say, in my eyes you are one of them..I am giving you a round of applause..

I would love to see some video from the top of the bridge, but you put your feet up, you definitely deserve it....Rest easy..

CRIKEY CROCS RULE!!

Thank you ILS... what very kind and heart warming words! That really touches my heart. I am Blessed to have such a special family here!

Well done Cat, as ILS has said you are an inspiration to us all.

I am considering overcoming my fear of heights and doing a parachute jump for a wildlife charity.

Hello everyone. Cat congratulations and We re all so proud of you! Not just for this, but for everything that you have done both on the forum and outside. thnak you for sharing this inspirational story, and personal achievement with us!
ILS I agree can't wait to see video of this wonderful event.
Alison in the short time that I have known you, I believe that not only can you, but that you will accomplish this jump.

Thank you Shanon, with the support of my family on this forum, I believe I can achieve anything, I will keep you posted.

Hello Alison. We know you can! And we will be cheering you on!

Shanon, ILS, & Alison...thank you all for the kind words! Let me say here that I love my Steve Family!

Alison, a parachute jump... don't think I could do it...for a wildlife charity...sheds new light though! I think that if you know you are doing something for all the right reasons, it does make a difference! Keep us posted!

One of the local TV stations just posted this video...You will see thousands of people and many of the inspirations I spoke of earlier! One thng that I did not mention, was a group of Marines that had been injured in Iraq, now running for the Semper Fi Fund to raise money for other injured Marines. You will see them here... running in red T-shirts, and carrying loaded backpacks. This video too talks about the inspiration... and the wild and craziness... and just pure fun! You will see men dressed in red dresses...and more! I hope you enjoy this! Just click "watch this video"

http://www.wciv.com/news/stories/0307/410437.html

Thank you Cat, it's nice to see what you were a part of..very inspirational..well done..Great to also see the kids taking part..

CRIKEY CROCS RULE!!

This short clip was taken on 23rd March 2007 in Oklahoma City...Shanon now I know why I am scared of Thunderstorms..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLJ6oqToKrc

CRIKEY CROCS RULE!!

Good morning. We get some real thunder rippers I love thunderstorms, my Dad and I used to sit on the front porch and watch them. The twisters I can do without. My Mom hated them. She always stayed in the bathroom until they were over. Just before she went in she would say; you 2 are going to get electricuted.