It knocked down the tree house. Our poor darling tree house. Loved by many, many children. Such a loss.
This shot was taken through one of the broken windows in the barn. Yesterdays left over tornado winds went for windows and doors.
The second thing is that I was looking out the kitchen window when I saw a small barn door break loose and begin to knock itself to bits, so in my ballet flats and a pinny (I was making cakes for the kids) I quickly ran out to fasten it again. I was very quick. Very agile. Like a woodsprite dancing through the wind and falling branches, laughing at the storm. I grabbed the door and hauled it against the wind, latched it back, called out to Sheila not long now darling, she grunted back trying not to show her resentment at being locked in. Daisy went ‘yoo hoo.’ Soon Daisy Paisley. Soon, I called at the top of my voice like a song. I was the King. I had it all in hand, I called. We have had storms before darling, I said to Boo, who leapt and whined at his first bad storm. .. We are OK.,I said,
On the way back to the house, I ran across the grass and up the path, leaping for the steps that I had climbed a thousand times before, I never step on the first one I always run up two and sometimes three at a time, with the wind at my back I could leap the whole lot I thought and did, but a growl came from the sky, the skies lights dimmed and the wind let loose with its other ideas – gathering its forces. After beating up on towns along the way, it hit one of its 60 mile an hour gusts. And as I reached the top of the steps it picked me up, said – that’s enough of you – and threw me back down the wet steps, backwards, no purchase, no stopping. I had this sublime moment when I saw myself tumbling down on my back, twisting then hitting each step with my little bottom, like a caricature, a joke, a cartoon, a doll. The wind roaring about me with all the fury of my past, my ears sung with it, snarling, biting and then I hit the bottom and all was blue and silent and I thought .. Am I hurt? Is this bad?
Wind moved on, flicking his cruel sharp tail at my uncombed unruly hair, hurling his abuse at the saddest sky, Sky could not help. Wind had had his say. Sky, my Rangi, could only watch. I wept for him. I cried out for home.
I slid to a halt with one foot beneath me and one stretched out and watched one of my little shoes fly out ahead and Wind zipped back and blew it out of reach then laughing like a dark cloud in a cupboard, he was gone.
Rangi watched as I sat very still and took a deep breath. My minds eye, blue as blue, moved about my body counting bones and muscles. My skin a canvas stretched thinly above muscle and tissue. All present and possibly correct. Wait, Rangi and my Mother (who has been dead for years) said. Stretch each limb first so we can see. All four were good, though the legs were slow to obey. There was a delay. Get up, I said to them. NO, they said back. I used ‘language’ my legs ignored it. Wait said my Mama.
After a while, after cruising through my body checking and rechecking, I had trouble getting up. The hurt was in the deepest bone, a primal bone, a comical bone. A pivotal yet laughable bone. The coccyx, the tail bone, the glutimous maximus. I would say rise, get me to my feet and it said. No.
Now, I know you are going to tell me to get to a doctor. All the doctor will do is give me drugs. Pain relief. Probably codeine. Take two of these he/she will say after 30,00 dollars worth of xrays, then go lie down. For reasons that I do keep close to my chest, I choose to have nothing to do with doctors At All Anymore. (Note the capitals) I have had more than enough of them when I was young. And have not seen a doctor in over 25 years. I know this might make you mad but I am your test case. Let’s see how long I can go without entering the deeply screwed up medical world. Food cured me. Just me though. I am not saying you should do this. But do not tell me to see the doc. I know what is wrong with me. It will be OK.
I have a miniscule hairline fracture in the left quadrant of the lower bit of the coccyx and then I bashed up the sacroiliac joint. Only a little, a teensy hairline fracture at the most. I can point to the bone for you but it is so BORING to discuss .. and very painful to sit upon. All this without xrays.
It will get better in its own time. I will be a wee bit slower than normal for a while. The animals don’t care. I don’t care. Being here is the most important thing.
Because not far from here, very close in fact, there is dreadful damage from the tornado that whipped up this wind. People have lost their homes. So it could have been much much worse.
Love your friend on the farmy,
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
137 responses to “The Bad Wind Came and Did Two Bad things”
look after yourself cuz. Ranginui was having a shocker. We saw the aftermath on last nights news. Let Papatuanuku’s fine produce nurse you back to 100%. much love xoxoxo
That was quite a fearful day to read about. I know you’ll take it easy–as much as you can and your body will let you. Praying for a speedy recovery, Miss C takes care of everybody!
I get a lot of joy from your blogs, thank you, I was in my own bubble driving to work (won’t reveal occupation or you will blacklist!) heard news bite: strong winds Illinois and thought of your farm, next 10 second sound bite was Doris Lessings passing aged 94, interesting connection. Have you ever been to the Maniototo, yours looks like big sky country?. A few days ago I picked up Janet Frames ‘Living in the Maniototo’, feeling sentimental about NZ, I never met the author but she was a local. ‘My skin a canvas’ reminiscent of her riddle at the beginning of the book, beautiful words and descriptions like you. This book is about a writer going to America to get back into writing!, you may have read it. Your experience reminded me when I was a kid, walking home from school along a macrocarpa treeline, trying to lean forward with all my weight but being held up by the wind, very surreal and vivid decades later. (PS I have put down the book unfinished and now 1/2 way through The Hunger Games, I had to read what my unbookish/ipad obsessed 12 yr old found unable to put down, good to read what you would never consider picking up yourself).
Thanks again for your lovely words and pictures.
I am glad to have you reading and thank you for the book recommendation..As if i would black list you!!We all have to work so we can eat good food.. nuff said.. take care.. c
Saw the weather and fretted. Oh, just as I was worrying “Oh, don’t become Dorothy” you plopped – at least you were home and had sense to slowly check out all parts and wait.
I’m with you about doctors (even with daughter that is one.) Too many treat too aggressively too quickly – and ignore the side effects – some of that is out of fear of lawsuits. (My father-in-law an internist used to say “If you go to a doc, they think you expect pills and all the tests. So be careful and ask about less and alternatives”) A fracture there is painful, but really what else can be offered except care and rest? As long as you feel it’s getting better…
Something for inflammation, sun light to help body absorb calcium (“setting” a child with a book on a pallet/blanket in the sun in a sheltered spot was frequently used). And a good farm diet. And time.
Sad about the tree house. Real sorrow for the tree. Hope you feel much better quickly!
(and of course you had to secure the barn door – if you don’t try it only gets worse…but maybe at least a helmet next time – flying stuff is as dangerous as stairs.)
HUGS and warmth!
You have an exquisite way with language. I am so sorry you fell. I broke my tailbone years ago having my first child. There’s nothing they can do for it, anyway. It’s not like they can cast it. Hope you are on your feet again soon.
Dear Celi, I am sorry that you are in pain and glad your injury is no worse than it is — I know it is hard for you to slow down when there is work to be done (and there is always work to be done where you live). Lucky that John was home to help.
Oh No! I am sorry to hear you suffered a serious injury – glad you are okay though and that it will mend. Those storms caused some major damage – poor trees and tree fort!
Oh, my gosh, I had no idea you were anywhere near this storm. I guess I should brush up on my U.S. geography. I’m so sorry to hear you went through this and you’re still hurt, c, those falls are the most scary.. when you’re afraid to move in case something is broken. Just be careful with your tailbone dear, that silly little piece is attached to the rest of your spine. I love my chiropractor and my physiotherapist. They’ve helped me in so many practical ways without the use of drugs. Take care, love, xx
There’s nothing to be said here that so many others haven’t already commented on! I’ll just send a gob of positive energy your way, and a heap of love, my friend! Take care of yourself!
What a beautifully written post Celi. I know that you will get better with speed because so many people seem to care about you. New Zealanders are built strong x
so we are.. morning tania.. c
How awful! Healing prayers your way. I know we are a lot alike and do not like to sit still. I’m doing a bit of catch up on blogging, I thought of you when the tornadoes hit. So happy you are all safe if not a little banged up.
Rest well! ~ April
Ouch. Ouch. Ouch. 😦