If a tree falls?

Strange things have been happening to me lately in the woods of Leetonia. During the last month as a walk the road towards Leetonia I have had three trees fall along side the road within 100 feet of me. The tree fell when there are "no winds". I can tell you when a large tree bits the dust unexpectedly near you in a quiet woods you jump a bit. Even the dogs jump and the hair comes up on their backs looking in the direction of the noise expecting perhaps something making this noise to show itself. But when they can't see or smell anything life returns to normal for them.

But us humans start to wonder. Why are these trees falling(all pines) so close to me on a quiet walk? To add to the mystery, I started to write a book last Spring, fiction, inspired from my childhood summers here with my grandparents. Often I think about the book on my walks and look to the forest for inspiration. The night before the third tree fell I wrote this part of my book, which takes place on the very road I walk on:

"As I walked home from Orenda's I thought about our lesson of silent walking, but the stones in the road called to me to kick them. I chased the little rocks down the road past the ferns then something made me stop and listen. I heard nothing, A cold wave came over the hill. It touched my head and I shivered. The hair on my arms raised and my breath froze in the air. The cold dark wind swirled around me from my head to my toes then disappeared.  I ran last half mile home never looking back to see if anything followed the strange wind that silenced the woods."

So I was primed for suspense before the tree fell and after it fell it seemed like more than an accident. How many people have three trees fall during their morning walks in one month. If there is anyone else out there with this many trees falling on calm days please email me. 

Not often am I startled or afraid in the woods at least not as an adult. As a child, well lets just say many of the old stumps looked like bears. I can blame my grandfather for collecting all the old hunting magazines that had "Man attacked by bear and survives stories." 

One other time I had the hair stand up experience like I mentioned in the story. It was a couple years after we moved up here full time. I was walking with my dog, Jack, who was fearless and by transference naturally made me feel the same. Suddenly, I felt like I was being watched, the kind of watched you feel when you think something wants to eat you. I had the uneasy feeling a mountain lion might be out there. Never saw it, nor did Jack, and I have never felt that way again. It is more common to have an animal pop up that you didn't sense or see and startle you, but fear leaves you fast when you see it is a grouse or some other animal that doesn't attack people.

People not used the woods get nervous when they can't use their cell phone or it is just too "quiet" for them. I get more nervous in a big city then walking in the woods alone. If any of you had a scary experience in the forest of Tioga or any forest email me I would love to hear about it. For now I am watching out for those trees making sure they don't decide to land on me instead of along side me. Mountain girl, Paula, logging out.

Update at Broke Back Mountain

Just thought you all might like to see the contraption I get to wear for the next couple months. I of course added some abs to the front and a few things to the back to keep it a little more fun.

This turtle shell doesn't allow bending and sitting is difficult unless you lean forward. It also heats up fast in direct sun. You sort of feel like a clam bake. I have to wear pants about six inches to big to get over it so I look like a large duck blind with the camo pants on.

Patience is not one of my virtues, so I guess this is what I must learn. For there is no work, driving, or much of anything you can do with this on. Thanks for all the support many of you have sent. It is a difficult journey to go from being so independent and strong to so dependent this quickly. It has given me a great opportunity to see the love and compassion of others. I will say the news media distorts our view of humanity so much one never realizes the vast goodness out there until something like this happens. You also don't realize how many things you took for granted when you can do everything. I will be doing some work today, sorting through my tools that were scattered everywhere during the accident. Of course with the help of Lee, since I am not allowed to lift more than 5lbs. I never realized how little 5 lbs. is. Thanks again to all of you. Mountain girl, Paula, logging out.

Recovery

Thought you might like to see my new outfit for the next three months. I can walk around fine, which is a great relief. I am so glad I didn't break a leg. I am able to take the brace off when I sleep, which is good because it gets hot and itchy underneath.

I am going to see the Doctor on Friday to get a better idea of how long I will be trapped in this thing. Mountain girls, don't make good patients. I love to be active and this is really testing my patience. Thanks for all the cards, flowers and other support you have sent me it is appreciated more than I can say. Who knows maybe I won't miss the whole season stuck in this turtle shell. Mountain girl, Paula, logging out.

Update to Crash

Well, I asked myself how did I run off the road and this is my conclusion. The first picture shows the Crown vetch covering the place where the road narrows. I was on the left and as I came out of this area the shoulder was soft and immediately threw my car down the hill. The road is about 10 foot wider right before this spot and I misjudged until it was too late. After driving in horrible conditions on this road it seems a strange fate to go over on a nice day.

The rest of the pictures are ones the insurance company made of my vehicle. It held up really well considering the fall. And I am impressed with the fact it didn't crush. I climbed out of the drivers side rear window.

I am feeling better the last couple of days and am so thankful for the prayers and financial support of friends during our time of need. There truly are good people in this world and many of them live here and read this blog. As my ability to write and concentrate
gets better I will try to post more updates.

On a non-accident note. ..The eagle pair at Cedar Run have near ready to fly youngster. After returning from the hospital, I was blessed with being able to see it flap its wings in practice to leave the nest. I will be anxious to flap my wings long before I am able to fly again, but living up here and receiving all of your support is truly a gift.
Mountain girl, Paula, Logging off.

Mountain Girl takes a tumble

Well friends I have had a major adjustment to my life. I suffered a major car accident Sunday June 29th. My car fell off a 100' cliff and landed in the creek. I was in a spot unable to get cell reception and invisible from the back road I traveled. I knew I had hurt my back, but also realized unless I left the vehicle I may never be found. I was able to get my seat pried down and climbed out the back window. As my left hand touched the ground I realized I had broken the shoulder and had no strength. I had to lower myself on one arm down to the creek bed."Thank God for all the pushups!" At this moment a truck passed by I yelled and waved, but they were unable to see me. Now I faced a climb up the side of the mountain. Every step set excruciating pain up my back. The bank was about a 50 degree angle. I got on my hands and knees and looked for anything to grab with my right hand since this was all I had to pull myself up with. I just prayed every root would hold and when I got to the last 10 feet, I didn't slid back down.
We don't get much traffic on our road, but since it was a Sunday and many people were leaving their camps someone came shortly and I was able to connect to the assistance I needed. Here is the first picture of me trussed up before my air flight.
Two of my vertebra are broken one in 4 places the other in one. I also broke my left shoulder blade. I am just asking for all of your prayers making it through rehab and the financial stress will be my biggest challenge.
I will try to keep you all updated in the blog. I am having a hard time looking at anything for any length of time because of nausea.
Mountain girl, Paula, still loving Leetonia and logging out!