Then

See that big beautiful oak tree covered in snow....

 This is tonight after a ferocious line of storms came through.    Somewhere under that mess is my wheelbarrow.  This giant of a tree took a few other trees with it as it fell.  

 I took this from the front yard one winter morning at sunrise a few years ago and you can see the tree towering over the house.   It must have been 60 to 70 feet tall.

And just a few weeks ago when I was 'hosting' the bees, Mighty Mr. Oak was there.  

This photo is from almost the same position tonight.  

 Before/above and after/below
 That horizontal piece on the 4 by 4 archway is probably 6 1/2 feet high.

We were so fortunate.   I have never experienced a storm like tonight's.   Hopefully all my friends have faired well too.   I am seeing on FB some are without power and trees are down all over the community.    For me, I am thankful that myself and my neighbors, no one was hurt.   We lost a bit of siding  and the deck chairs are in the pool but all is well.   I just stepped outside a few minutes ago and all I could hear was chain saws.   I texted my children and told them about the oak tree and my eldest's comment was.....how will we find out way home now.   When they were small and would get lost in the 10 acre field behind our property I told them just find the tallest tree and that was home.   They will all be traveling home for the Fourth of July and it will be a shocker for them to see in person.  My backyard is going to be shaking in baking this summer without the shade of the oak.....and possibly a few less squirrels.......hmmmmm, that could be a plus.