We were thrilled when this tree was knocked down in our yard by a storm. We of course used it as a jungle gym - until it was cut up and carted away.

Storms were entertainment, especially the July thunderstorms that sent water gushing through the gutters like rivers - we would splash through them barefoot, kicking up leaves and jumping over large tree branches that floated like white water rafts towards the storm drains. Blackouts meant candles, and thunder claps were like the call of an angry giant — “It” — in a game of hide and seek, sending us into hysterics, giddily running for cover around our screened in porch.

(Source: marisacrawford.com)