About Brainerd's Nisswa

June of 2001, twin twister sisters hit our home, horse stable and roofing business. Life is still in the "picking up the pieces" stage but no human lives were lost. Because I know from experience how quickly and how efficiently tornadoes can kill and destroy everything in its path I will continue posting about our experience to get the information out.

Tornadoes are nature’s most violent storms. Spawned from powerful thunderstorms, tornadoes can cause fatalities and devastate a neighborhood in seconds. A tornado appears as a rotating, funnel-shaped cloud that extends from a thunderstorm to the ground with whirling winds that can reach 300 miles per hour. Damage paths can be in excess of one mile wide and 50 miles long. Every state is at some risk from this hazard.

Tornadoes develop so rapidly that little, if any, advance warning is possible.

Before a tornado hits, the wind may die down and the air may become very still. A cloud of debris can mark the location of a tornado even if a funnel is not visible. Tornadoes generally occur near the trailing edge of a thunderstorm. It is not uncommon to see clear, sunlit skies behind a tornado.

The following are facts about tornadoes:

• They may strike quickly, with little or no warning.
• They may appear nearly transparent until dust and debris are picked up or a cloud forms in the funnel.
• The average tornado moves Southwest to Northeast, but tornadoes have been known to move in any direction.
• The average forward speed of a tornado is 30 MPH, but may vary from stationary to 70 MPH.
• Tornadoes can accompany tropical storms and hurricanes as they move onto land.
• Waterspouts are tornadoes that form over water.
• Tornadoes are most frequently reported east of the Rocky Mountains during spring and summer months.
• Peak tornado season in the southern states is March through May; in the northern states, it is late spring through early summer.
• Tornadoes are most likely to occur between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m., but can occur at any time.
• Do not take shelter in your vehicle

According to data from the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center, 49 of the 705 deaths - about 7% - attributed to tornadoes from 1997 to 2007 were people who were in vehicles when the storm struck.

"They can cover more ground that you can in your car, so unless you know you are moving away from the tornado the best thing you can do is find a strong structure," said weather service meteorologist Andy Foster. Nothing in sight, then hit the ditch or lowest spot you can find and get face down.

Proverbs 20:14 -

"Its no good, its no good!" says the buyer; then off he goes and boasts about his purchase.

Proverbs 23:10 & 22:28 -

Do not move an ancient boundary stone

Proverbs 10:9 -

The man of integrity walks securely but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.

Proverbs 11:13 -

A gossip betrays a confidence but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.

Proverbs 14:1 -

A wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down

Proverbs 24:3-4-

By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beatuiful treasures.

And for those in a slow market

Proverbs 15:16 -

Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil.

Northland Arboretum is hosting a "Haunted Trail" on Saturday, October 25th and Sunday, October 26 from 7:00pm - 9:00pm. Experience the thrills and chills as you walk through the dark woods of the Arboretum. Young children should be accompanied by an adult. No flashlights, please. There will be a bonfire and cider for all. Cost is just $3.00 at the door. Proceeds to benefit the "Arb."

We went last night and stood in line for one hour. It was a great time of meeting old friends and making new ones. The walk took us about 45 minutes and was really fun. Lots of screaming children, chainsaws, and goolish displays. The weather was cool but not cold - just perfect.

Most buyers are looking for a well-maintained house in apple pie order. They will be looking to buy as much house as they can get and still leave a little dough for changes to adapt things to their personal taste. That doesn't mean that they will be looking to dive right into major home improvements, because they won't. The down payment on your home will take most of their savings. After the monthly mortgage payments, taxes and insurance, there is no room in their budget for major repairs. Many buyers today will not consider a house that needs remodeling and improvements. Those buyers are called flippers and need to buy property as cheaply as possible to make needed repairs and enhancements and still clear a profit. Nothing personal - it is their business.

Your house will stand a better chance of selling if it has an up-to-date kitchen, an up-to-date bathroom and shows the signs of regular maintenance. Inside and outside everything should be in good repair. Fresh paint improves the curb appeal of any house, along with blooming flowers and a nicely cropped green lawn. Cleanliness, both inside and out will make a good impression on the buyer. Clean out the gutters and downspouts, pull out all weeds, put fresh mulch around trees and in flower beds. Pressure wash the sidewalks and siding, if it will stand up to it. Go the distance and the reward will be much greater.

After all who doesn't like homemade apple pie?