I awoke to what sounded like multiple cows birthing calves. The sound was high-pitched and odd. The startled-awake feeling, like tons of bricks on my chest mixed with panic, slightly settled, clearing my head and leading me to collect $200; those are cows, silly, that’s the wind.
Out of bed and out the front door, I stood with my phone recording. The sound was eerie, constant, and if I hadn’t been a firsthand witness, I wouldn’t have believed the wind could be that powerful. Upon seeing the patio fan’s ceiling shake, an obscenity went off in my mind, sending me straight back inside. The ruthless dictator that Mother Nature can be was best experienced, at this still-darkened hour, from under my bed’s covers.
From the safer position, I reengaged in scouring weather news apps as the cattle-like sound screamed through the cracks in the seals. Then, feeling my eyes droop and my body grow heavy, I put myself back to bed.
That there was no loss of power, no flooding, no damage to the trees on our road is impressive, especially considering the outages and damage in areas not far from us.
We’re heading into Perry, Georgia, for an International Festival tomorrow. With a full day of events, I’m curious what we will prioritize.
10:00 AM – Chein Hong School of Kung Fu (Taiwan)
10:35 AM – Perry Belly Dance (Middle East)
11:05 AM – Mariachi (Mexico)
11:40 AM – Bulgarian American Cultural Association (Bulgaria)
12:10 PM – Heritage School of Performing Arts (India)
12:50 PM – Irish Dancers of Punchfront (Ireland)
1:00 PM – Tashiba Dance (Multiple African Countries)
1:35 PM – Swaraajya Kalaa Tanda – Manohar Rao (India)
2:00 PM – Calo Gitano (Spain)
2:35 PM – Danza Azteca (Mexico)
3:10 PM – International Princess Extravaganza
3:55 PM – Two Shields Native Dance Group (Indigenous North America)
4:30 PM – Aklla Sumaq (Peru)
4:55 PM – GT Seoulstice (Korea)
5:50 PM – Mi Querido Panama (Panama)
6:15 PM – Caribbean Dancers of Atlanta (Caribbean)
6:55 PM – Two Shields Native Dance Group (Indigenous North America)
7:35 PM – Uso’s Polynesian Entertainment (Hawai’i, Samoa, Aotearoa, Tahiti)
I’m feeling the belly dancing and International Princess Extravaganza, but will a five-plus-hour day be too much for Evelyn? If so, we might need to wait until the afternoon to hit the Spain, Mexico, International Princess, and Two Shields portion.
How grateful I am that the storm blew over. The restless fear of not knowing has passed, and in its place is the knowledge that the mammoth oak trees in the front yard can handle what’s thrown at them. I like knowing that.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Looking forward to telling you all about the festival tomorrow night.
Love,
Jaclynn
Going On 40 