Last May, while we were still in California, a tornado struck Saint Louis. Its path came to within a quarter mile of our home. While initially it appeared that little damage had occurred to our house, further investigation discovered that one of our few remaining trees had lost a branch. A hanger was left suspended up high in this elm. 

Earlier this week, Anne was sitting on the couch, when she heard the distinct who-cooks-for-you call of a Barred owl. Venturing outdoors, we determined that the calling owl was perched in our next-door neighbor’s Redbud. We haven’t heard it since, but hopefully it will return.