Our shade fell away....

We had some excitement here on Monday afternoon. After high temperatures on Sunday...97 degrees....we thankfully experienced what are called the "Delta breezes" on Monday. The breezes blew and then gusted all day long. Around noon our old Chinese Elm said enough, and half the tree came down. It crashed across our kennel which now bears a definite "U" shape on the east corner. So sad. That tree was even bigger when I was a kid growing up. It was the shade for the resident "shade tree mechanic" who had worked in that shade just two days before. It was the place where the kids had their tree house and spent many hours playing and reading books, spying on those beneath them, from their lofty perch. Lawn chairs were hauled up there along with drinks and snacks hoisted by rope from far below :) Coming before those memories are many more of family life here on the farm. My Dad used to park the old McCormick tractor there...it didn't have rubber tires, but steel ones with blades welded diagonally to them for traction. The limb that came down is the very same that beef was hung from for butchering. Along with those butchering memories comes memories of the kitchen table with the family gathered 'round enjoying fresh liver and onions, tongue for sandwich meat, and our favorite....balkabri. Mmmmmm...I can see my Mom frying it up crisp and tasty, smell the aroma, and nearly taste it on my plate with karo syrup on top. Yum. Half of our dear old tree remains and we hope survives any further winds that come along. So it will stay...no trimming for now and we will continue to appreciate half as much shade.