amazing storms tonight, and everyone fine

[Zoe Girl]

we have had such extreme weather here, and colorado is already known for changeable weather. we first saw swirling papers high up in the air above the 7 story apartment building which didn't make sense until the weather started to get fierce. then the rain and hail came almost sideways, it was battering the windows really hard. Both my son and i had water leaking in from the force of it. the hail broke over half of the lights on our deck and was piled up like snow (lots of good denver pictures of that). then the tornado watches (that is where the conditions are right?) the area that had air movement that could develop into a tornado is a very densely populated part of Denver not far from us. the reporters were out in downtown and the noise and water flooding down the street made it hard for them to even be outside.

So far everyone is safe and fine, there was no tornado. i am just waiting to hear from a friend because today was bike to work day! there are branches down, a lot of trees missing a lot of leaves, but it is okay. whew.

[Valley]

Sounds scary...glad you're all right!

[RosieTR]

Glad you're ok, Zoe! I'm north, so we missed it this time.

[SiouzQ.]

I drove through the mountains from Aspen on the 25th, got in a bit of rain, got stuck in the I-70 traffic in Denver at rush hour, and then gave up and got a cheap motel room in Byers, CO because the weather was so scary looking. One campground I stopped at had just lost their power and there was hail piled up on the pavement. It seems like for the past few years every time I end up near Limon, CO the weather is not conducive at all for camping!

[iris lilies]

Last night it rained and we had tornado warnings and warnings of hail in the immediate area. The radio announcer said that pets need to be brought in, the hail will hurt them. I sat at the kitchen table doing lily work, thinking "of course, my dogs are snug with us in the house during this storm."

An hour later, DH found our small blonde Frenchie outside, soaking wet. She had let herself outdoors earlier before the storm started, and I didn't hear her pawing to get in during the rain. Fortunately we had no hail here.

I am a terrible mother. Yesterday I left the house for about an hour, mistakenly leaving her outside. Not supposed to happen, the dogs are always in when we leave. Again, fortunately, weather was mild and it was not too hot for her.

I think it is this retirement thing--we have no routines. From now on the routine is going to have to be to look for her regularly throughout the day and count dog heads when we leave. She cannot be outdoors when it is hot, she will overheat.

Our big bulldog is easy to spot in the house because, well, he is BIG. But the little one tucks herself away in corners and under tables, and we have to actively search for her to spot her.

[nswef]

Iris I'm glad noting bad happened. It's a horrible feeling to think you've neglected a furry baby. The cat used to hide in odd places although we were lucky she was never interested in going outside. Counting heads is a good plan.

[catherine]

IL, you're not a terrible mother! I know how bad you feel--sometimes I go to shut the French door curtains and lock up at the end of the day, when it's dark, and then I realize, Oh! The dog's still outside! I totally relate to how lack of routines make it difficult to keep everything pinned down. Maybe put a picture of her on your backyard door, or on your car dashboard until you get into new habits.

[Zoe Girl]

the routine is going to have to be to look for her regularly throughout the day and count dog heads when we leave. She cannot be outdoors when it is hot, she will overheat.

.
How funny, I spend a lot of my day counting heads, of children of course but just makes me laugh