Before
After
forest bonsai 
I have always loved the art of bonsai! Bonsai, which literally means tree in pot, is a technique where you take a plant and give it the effect that it is very old but still keep it small. A few years ago we bought a bonsai, but we sadly killed it. They take a lot of special care and affection.
My grandpa and Mrs. Marion were going to a class in Mississippi and decided to surprise me and take me with them. I was REALLY exited. My parents also got to come. The really big surprise was that I got to pick out my own tree and start one at the class! I chose a Japanese maple. My dad decided to be ambitious and try two plants. And my mom, like me, got one! She got a crape myrtle.
…if it weren’t for the 110% humidity making it very difficult to breath! I guess I better get used to the idea because 
Lots of carbs for a quick energy boost and lots of protein to keep it going; needed for the neighborhood inspection and debris removal to follow!!
UHHHHHHH – just how many carbs DO you need for energy??? Anyway – we’re back to that “cooking it before it ruins” thing. When you have a freezer full of stuff it’s painful to watch it all melt and waste. We were lucky enough to have a gas stove, so we cooked a bunch and shared with the neighbors. They, in turn, shared their snacks. 
And as my very wise girlfriend pointed out, “you have plenty of candles and wine is good at room temperature, too.”
We got hit by 
That’s the pros and cons of living in a very old neighborhood in the very far South! We have some gorgeous ancient trees all around us: 
several limbs down around the house, 
and some window damage in Christina’s room. 
The biggest inconvenience is the loss of electricity, but hopefully that won’t be long. We walked around the neighborhood to survey the rest of the damage and offer our help where needed. 
We met some very interesting neighbors while we were out:
as we saw tree after tree on all the neighbors houses and cars – poor 
