I interrupt the post that I planned to share with you today (and it is a funny one, but I'll push that back till Monday), to let you know that yesterday afternoon while I was sitting on a chair on my deck minding my own business, a branch broke off of a dead tree that's next to our deck and fell on me.
 |
| See how the branch is almost sticking up, like it decided not to hit me. |
But if you look at the photo that I took after I got out of the chair - the branch fell and sort of got wedged on the bottom of the chair. It was sticking up from the base of the chair and this saved me.
I don't think it would've killed me, but I do think if it fell from as high up as it was and landed directly on my head or on my arm, that I would've been knocked out - or maybe ended up with a broken arm? The way it sort of caught the bottom of the chair caused it to stay sort of upright. Somehow I was shielded from this thing hitting me. It was not a lightweight branch.
I was on the phone with a woman from our church who is driving Rae to a retreat this weekend. I was only gonna sit outside for about 30 minutes and read some blogs after I got off the phone finalizing details with her. I was alone, and I was trying to enjoy my empty house. That almost never happens. A friend of Kay's invited her to go to her pool, so she wasn't home (she's usually the one home with me during the day).
I heard a terribly loud sound, almost like someone was ripping Heavy Duty packaging (?) like right behind me. The branch breaking sound was followed so closely by the branch falling that I didn't have time to react. I think I started to sit up, but then - BOOM.
 |
| You would totally scream if this fell on you, right? |
Um, I SCREAMED . . . A HIGH PITCH SQUEAL OF A SCREAM THAT I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW I WAS CAPABLE OF.
It was like the kind of scream you hear in movies, and I sat for a split second and was dazed. Then, I picked up my phone (here's the best part, I lied before) . . . the woman was still talking into the phone like nothing had happened. We finished our conversation, and as we said good-bye (I was still sitting there covered in bark and tree bits and feeling like I was being punked), I asked her: SO DID YOU HEAR ME SCREAM A MINUTE AGO?
She was like, I did hear a scream. I thought it was kids in the background. (I explained why I screamed and she was like WHOA!).
It wasn't until a few hours later, after I'd sent the photo in the fam group chat, that Lad called and told me he thought I'd faked the photo because the branch was propped up on the bottom of my chair. I was driving, during our phone call, to pick up Dipsy Doodle Mini who missed her train and took the next express train to the next town over. I picked her up and drove her back to her car. Anyway, I wasn't able to look at the photo while I was driving - but later (after I was annoyed at Lad for saying I staged this photo shoot) I looked closer and I was like, HECK, IT WAS STUCK ON THE BOTTOM OF THE CHAIR! AND THAT'S WHY IT WAS SORT OF STAYING UPRIGHT.
This happened on Lad's 27th birthday.
Me to Coach: It would've been horrible if I'd died on Lad's birthday.
Coach: It would be horrible if you died on any day.
We'll if that isn't the sweetest sentiment.
*****
Do you scream like a ninny when frightened? Yes, I'd like Coach to get this tree taken down asap, why do you ask? Oh, in other news: my Dad's cat-scan showed that the cancer hasn't spread. Surgery July 10th. I'll send Curly to Louisville with teammates on the 9th for her tournament, so I can hang back and be on poop patrol the day before surgery (same as colonoscopy prep). Then I'll head to Louisville the 10th or 11th. Dad called me seconds after the doc gave him the date, to see if I could help with the prep. I mean, we all have our special talents.
Oh my goodness, you had a close call! Your guardian angel must be working overtime!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you're safe. That would have been a lot more than a broken bone if it had come down differently..
Please get that tree taken down. What if had been one of the kids without a suitably protective lawn chair? Or one of the babies you sit for??
So glad that your dad has some good cancer news. I'll be praying for you those days.
mbmom11 - I thought the same thing when I really LOOKED at the photo. Like, how did it get wedged and just sort of bounce off of me without landing on me. My guardian angel was paying attention. As of today, the tree is down. We rented a chainsaw. Believe me, I said the exact thing - we just had the Shenanigan side here for a party and we were on the deck the entire time. It could've hit someone on the head. My stomach lurches when I think of how the tots play on the deck. Really scary.
DeleteThe cancer not having spread is good news. Now, if I can manage the appointments without strangling my sisters.
Yes I would have screamed and then spent the rest of the day curled up in a ball somewhere, had nightmares, and then repeated the process for day 2.
ReplyDeleteThank God you're OK! What Coach said: "it would be horrible if you died on any day"
We had a large tree branch come down on the roof of our house a few years ago and got a new roof as a result. As you know, it's the kind of thing that happens with no warning. When did we finally get the tree taken out so that it didn't do more of the same? Last year, thanks for asking. The tree company told Hubs that the tree was a goner but he wanted a second opinion never got around to making the phone call. He doesn't usually put things off like that, but none of us are 100% at all times. It felt good to get finally get that tree outta here.
Birchie - The scream was like a guttural sound that came out of me without warning. I need to share the first thing Coach said - because that sweet thing was not the FIRST thing. ;)
DeleteI'm glad you got the tree taken down. We ARE the people who put things off. As Tank and I were stacking tree trunk pieces (after we took it down today, and by we I mostly mean Coach and Tank) at the side of the house, Tank was like - Well, this is not a good plan, because dad will leave the tree bits here for ever. *sigh* He's not wrong.
What a thing to happen! We had a tree fall on our house once, but not on a person. That's awful. I can imagine how surprised you were and that your ninny scream was one for the records. AS IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN. I'm glad you're okay but I'd be freaked out for days.
ReplyDeleteAlly - It was such a crazy thing. We have a pretty big deck and that chair was only moved to that side of the deck like a week ago when curly was trying to catch rays early in the day. Weird that I sat there for 10 minutes and it fell RIGHT THERE. My ninny scream came from deep inside and it was totally involuntary. Like something right out of the movies.
DeleteErnie! My goodness! I’m so glad you’re ok! What a scary thing to have happen. I’m with Coach that it would be horrible if you died on any day! I might have missed it, but I assume you’re checking the tree for any other bad limbs?
ReplyDeleteJoymarie - I meant to share what Coach said INITIALLY in my post today and then I got sidetracked. The tree is dead and should've been taken down last year but it had a tiny bit of life still. so we had hope. We rented a chainsaw and took it down today.
DeleteWHAT. This is crazy!!! I don't usually scream, but I might if a tree fell on me. Well- I'm glad you're okay. I'll echo Coach's sentiment- it would be sad for all of us if you died, on any day!
ReplyDeleteJenny - It was so crazy. The scream was totally involuntary. It just erupted out of me, like things happened so fast I couldn't react in time and the scream is what apparently happens when one is scared half to death. Coach's initial sentiment is, well - more interesting. I'll share it soon.
DeleteI practically screamed just looking at the picture!
ReplyDeleteSarah - Ha. Totally involuntary response, I've decided. I didn't know what was happening.
DeleteThat is TERRIFYING. The difference just inches could make. Wow. I would have screamed like the world was coming to an end, so you are braver than me. I'm glad you're okay!
ReplyDeleteEngie - You are so right. It's all about the angles, I think. It could've fallen at a different angle and then? Who knows? Of course I moved my chair, but I sat back down and relaxed in the sun. And it was 90 degrees, why do you ask?
DeleteI 1000% would have screamed! Wow, if a branch has to fall on you, that's the way you want it to land, but still it would be terrifying.
ReplyDeleteccr in MA - I definitely didn't decide to scream - it was purely involuntary. Who knew that was a thing?
DeleteWait—did I miss a post where you mentioned your dad has cancer??
ReplyDeleteI’m really glad you’re okay. And honestly, the picture does look kind of staged, even though I know you didn’t stage it. That’s probably why he said that—kids say things like that. Insert eye roll.
Kari - Did you read about how I took Dad to a colonoscopy? Because they found a golf ball size tumor that they believed was cancer. The pathology came back that it was (and my sister didn't share that info, so I found out in a recorded appt with another doctor. Could we imagine if I'd not told her info like that? It's fine - I believed the doctor knew what he was looking at). He is having surgery on the 10th.
DeleteI find it crazy that I didn't think about how staged it looked. Like it didn't dawn on me till Lad pointed it out that this tree was suspended in the air sort of because it was hooked on my seat.
Ernie, I'm so happy that you're OK! That's really scary! I definitely would have screamed. We have lots of trees with stupid weak branches and I'm always worrying that one will fall on me. Now I'm going to worry even more!
ReplyDeleteMichelle - Oh no. I don't mean to make you worry more. But do be careful. I've never thought much about it, but dang - it was scary. Timing is everything and in this case, angles seem to also be a thing.
DeleteHoly Crap! I know exactly the kind of scream you're talking about. If it were me, I'd still be screaming. Thank goodness you're okay. Your husband's comment was very sweet and loving.
ReplyDeleteWhat an incredible incident! It would be a long time before I'd be over that.
Nance - The word is involuntary - that's the kind of scream it was. It just ESCAPED from me. It was so hard to process what was happening. My husband's initial comment was not that sweet. I'll share it soon. The tree was taken down today by Tank and Coach. We rented a chainsaw. The deck is so exposed now. Boo.
DeleteI'm so glad you're okay!
ReplyDeleteHow promising to hear that your Dad's cancer hasn't spread. All the best to you and him.
Suzanne - I'm glad I'm OK too. It would suck to have a broken arm or worse in the summer.
DeleteWe are so hoping that he can handle the surgery and that he can fully recover afterwards. I take him for a stress test tomorrow as part of the prep. Thank you.
This is terrifying! Oh my goodness. I would have pooped my pants I'm sure of it.
ReplyDeleteI am so skiddish. Popping balloons basically send me into hysterics.
I'm so glad to hear about the positive results of your dad's tests.
Elisabeth - You cracked me up. I don't think you'd have time to poop your pants. Go with the involuntary scream like I did.
DeleteYes, we are hopeful that he can have the surgery and make a full recovery.
Holy schniekies! That was a close call! My distracted brain thinks two things right off the bat. First of all, Coach's response is so cute! Awwww... Second, your legs are really tan! Is that a soccer mom tan or have you been sitting at the beach? Hahaha! I am jealous, since (a) I burn easily and (b) my version of tan is only slightly pinkish brownish.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you are alive and well. I had to get two trees near my house trimmed and it was over $1,000 each time, but it is worth it when it comes to safety and/or having to shell out tens of thousands to fix a roof or something else. I have heard entire trees crash down in the forest when I am hiking/camping and it is scary/awesome. I feel so small when it happens, and yes, when a tree falls in the forest it DOES make a sound!
Kyria - Holy schniekies indeed. Coach's response is cute, but wait till you hear what his initial comment was. My legs are tan and it's mostly because I like to hang at the pool and read. I also hang on my deck, relaxing on my lounge chair and reading. Or napping, except it has been way to hot to nap out there lately. I credit my paternal grandmother, who was from Hungary. The rest of me is Irish, but I have her skin tone.
DeleteWe rented a chainsaw today and Tank and Coach took the tree down. I think it was under $75. When a tree falls in the forest - well, you would probably be the one to know.
So I don't know whether to count you as lucky or unlucky. Unlucky that the branch fell, but lucky it got wedged in the chair? Last year my daughter and I were walking down a street near us and heard a loud crash. A massive branch had just fallen down about 30m from us, where we'd just walked. We finished walking to the beach down the middle of the road.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to hear that your dad's cancer hasn't spread. I hope the treatment goes well.
Melissa - Good point. What were the chances that that branch fell ten minutes after I sat in my chair on that side of the deck - not the side that I usually sit on. Nuts. Yikes -that sounds like a close call too. I cannot believe how little time I had between the sound of it cracking to when it fell. It was a split second.
DeleteThank you. He's busy getting all of his doc appointments done - like tomorrow morning I take him to have a stress test.
Wow that is really scary Ernie! I think if it had hit you in the head it would not have been good. Glad you are ok.
ReplyDeletePat - It was scary and so close to really landing on me. I am still in awe of how it sort of avoided me. I'm tempted to ask Mary Ann to look at her ring camera.
DeleteHOLY MACKERAL! My friend. If you'd been an inch this way or that way, this would have been a terrible outcome. I can't believe the size of that limb. I would have nightmares for a while of things falling on me. And yes, the shriek would have been so loud!
ReplyDeletePine trees are known to get infestations from beetles; that's probably why the limb fell, so YES, let's have that tree looked at and taken down. Can you imagine if it fell on a child? *shudder*
Good news about your dad. Praying the surgery is a success.
Normal news about Mini and her travel mixup. You gotta love that kid!
Suz - It is crazy how it sort of ended up being suspended over me. I'm not sure if a smaller branch is what hit my elbow or if the branch bounced down and bumped me? It was insanely close. The shriek was what I've decided was involuntary. I didn't even know what was happening, so the scream happened without me even thinking. Total reaction.
DeleteTank rented a chainsaw today and the tree is down! My stomach turned when I thought about how the tots play on my deck all the time in the spring. And only a few weeks ago, we had Coach's whole family here on the deck. It's not fun to think about.
Our neighbor thinks it was the tornado we had in 2021. He said his tree got whipped by the tornado and it took a few years for it to die. Hmm. It was a birch. The deck is so exposed and I never thought about how different the yard would look without a tree there. Easier for Mary Ann to keep an eye on us. ;)
Thank you. I take him for his stress test in the morning. He's set for surgery on the 10th. I appreciate the prayers.
Mini - omg, that girl.
That's so scary! You are lucky as that could have been so much worse!!!
ReplyDeleteBeth - It was so scary, and such a close call.
DeleteWow that is a CLOSE CALL! Yikes! I am glad that you weren’t seriously injured. I’d want that tree taken down or at least trimmed asap!! Yeesh!
ReplyDeleteI am glad your dad’s cancer hasn’t spread. He’s lucky to have you on poop patrol!
Lisa - It was a close call. Funny how it didn't even register with me initially that the branch was sort of suspended after being wedged onto the bottom of my chair. Coach said he couldn't take the tree down this afternoon when Tank was available and Reg too (after Reg took Rae to the eye doc for me, so I could be here to supervise the operation). I told Tank to tell his father, who he was texting, that I would go out there with a small axe and take it down limb by limb. So, it happened today. Phew.
DeleteIt was a relief. We are hopeful that he'll recover fully from the surgery. It's tough because I'll be out of town for almost a week after the surgery. Poop patrol on the 9th. Let's go!
That is terrifying! Thank God you’re okay!
ReplyDeleteBijoux - It was really scary and look how long it took for me to realize that the tree branch fell at such a weird angle that it was wedged in my chair.
Delete