Hi Folks, I'm okay.

The bride and I were up north, just starting a week of holidays when we got word that Goderich was blasted. We rushed home to find the general chaos that you all saw on the news. The ruined church that was prominent in the news is immediately to the east of us, about 12 feet away. It is still partly standing, but it threatens our house. Until it falls or is taken down, we can't do much about our place. Heavy rain this morning wasn't entirely prevented by tarping the roof, so now we have water to add to the glass, insulation (not ours), dirt, and debris all over the inside of the house. All trees are ruined, as are the fence, tent trailer, gardens, windows, paint, etc. Structural engineers, insurance agents, brokers, adjusters, assessors, contractors, police, Labour Ministry, town authorities, neighbours, volunteers, rubberneckers, all contribute to our lives this week. My lesson studio will be delayed in starting this year as there is no way the place is fit for work, teaching, or learning.

We are staying with friends, and we have Rosie The Wonder Dog & Cosmo The Other Dog with us. Within the next week or so we'll have a better idea of the future. In the meantime, one daughter is coming home, and friends will be getting more visits.

Many friends had more damage than us. One lost his restaurant and his home, another lost her whole house, another his car wash, another his home...and many others lost cars, windows, roofs...never mind the downtown square businesses, whole blocks of which had collapsed roofs and blown out storefronts.

The saltmine shut down due to aboveground damages, the evaporator plant shut down, every bank is closed, the post office is closed, and there are more police and service personnel in town than ever before.

When does it return to normal?

Peace, Mooh.