usual we listened to the local news. To all our amazement the forecast spoke of an approaching hurricane! Apparently bearing down on us within the next two hours! My husband said "Oh it's just another close call, I'm going into work.'' The schools of course were not taking any chances and I had to stay at home with my son and daughter. Was it another close call or the real thing? That was the question.

The wind was picking up, I saw some branches come falling down. To the north of our house I could see the wind whipping leaves and debris.

I started to read my children a story to keep them occupied. It happened to be Winnie The Pooh and it was by coincidence a story of a very windy day.

It kept their attention while I sneaked out a window. Trees were bending and thrashing this way and that! I saw the electricity lines connected to our house go flying as if ripped by a giant hand.

I know the actual storm of the hurricane did not last long but what a sight to behold when the wind died down! Our street was impassable. In a little while my husband came trudging through the branch strewn road way. He had more stories to tell... of having to abandon the car and walk his way home.

Eventually the men along our street started to get together and clear what they could. It was my first experience of a hurricane and I will always remember it because it happened on my birthday and I had to cancel my celebration plans... till there was electricity again! No caption HURRICANES HUR