Jefferson Park has five trees -- two maples and three sycamores -- along the southern edge – adjoining Cooley Avenue.

 

The twin maples are directly in front of our house -- which along with our neighbor's house -- are the only two houses among nearly 60-houses bordering the park – that have double lots -- one for the house and the second as a private garden – with trees, shrubs, flowers, and grass -- for the use of our pets (in my case our two outdoor cats – Smokey and her son Gingy – my constant companions -- and for the last seven-years their friend -- our Galena – a golden retriever with a curly tail – rescued from the city kennel -- now at the Rainbow Bridge).

 

When I look at the park from our house – from inside (eight windows at three levels) or from the outside – driveway, porch, backyard, and double lot -- I see it through the prism of the twin maples.

 

Today, Wednesday, the last day of June 2021 -- there were loud thunder sounds – starting from around 4:30 p.m. They were loud enough to get my attention -- I was in the basement of our house -- my study area -- packed with books, documents, and computers.

 

I grabbed my digital camera – in fact I have it around my neck during the waking hours – and never leave home without it. I love taking photographs -- literally by the hundreds.

 

There was no lightening – not too much rain either, and no howling winds. The weather forecast in my e-mail read: "Scattered Thunderstorms likely in Northeast Ohio – damaging winds and localized flooding could hit parts of Greater Cleveland on Wednesday”.

 

While I love nature -- I cannot understand all the fury – thunder, lightening, flooding, downed trees and power-lines, power-outages, blocked streets, etc. From what I know during the past 12-months: six house-owners around Jefferson Park – invested approximately $15,000 to get trees cut and trimmed and another $6,000 for repairs made to electrical connections (from fallen trees or branches).

 

During the span of about 30-minutes – our rain gage registered half an inch. It was 72 deg. F.

 

The rain and earlier downpours – it has been raining off and on since yesterday afternoon-- partially filled up the containers I have to collect the rain that I use to water my plants – mostly growing out of pots. I also use our Cleveland water when we have dry spells. This is the first year I have started collecting rain water – it gives me a deeper appreciation of our natural resource when I see the containers sitting under the roof spouts fill up with water pouring down from the clouds.

 

The following four photographs -- views of the Twin Maples – taken from four vantage points – street level and front porch, second floor, and attic of our house -- were taken within the span of 8-minutes -- 4:44 p.m. to 4:52 p.m.

 

The lead photograph shows the archway formed by the Twin Maples on the south side of Jefferson Park -- along Cooley Avenue taken during the early evening thunderstorm of June 30, 2021 -- from the adjoining sidewalk. The archway is like a gateway to the world beyond the twin maples – pointing in the direction of Canada.

 

The second photograph shows the Twin Maples as seen from the deck of the front porch of our house.

 

After this I came inside and went upstairs.

 

The third photograph is from a second floor bedroom facing the park – looking at the twin maples through the mesh of the window-screen. I have now stopped using the air-conditioner and have screens in all of our windows.

 

 

The fourth photograph is from the attic – from the side with the bare glass (in the attic – half the window has the screen and half has glass). The twin maples are as tall or taller than our house – and in the summer time – with the trees full of leaves – I can’t see beyond the trees. In the winter – with the leaves gone – I can look much farther.

 

The noise from the thunder scared Smokey and Gingy – and they went into hiding.

 

The last photograph shows them in the morning of June 30, 2021 in our backyard – photographed by the Montauk Daisy.

 

 

When I returned to the basement (my study area) – I did not hear any more thunder sounds.

 

Tomorrow is the first day of July.

 

Enjoy the rest of the summer – both dry days and wet days!

 

 

Note:

 

1. For a post on the Montauk Daisy, here is the link:

 

 

2. Here is a link to the story of our Galena: