Friday, May 16, 2008

Show & Tell: Mt. Saint Helens


It's Show & Tell at Kelli's. If you would like to join in, head on over to her blog (it's fun!)

Castle made from ash



Bears on a log







On Sunday, May 18, 1980 Mt. Saint Helens blew. I was Morgan's age at the time, but I remember it. Well I don't remember every detail, but I do remember the day turning to night.
I spent Saturday nights with my grandparents, and went to church on Sunday morning with my Grandma Sarah. I don't remember going to church that morning, but apparently the smoke cloud could be seen, and ash was beginning to fall. One of the men in church, at the time was a teenager, and with all the talk of it almost being like the end of the world, he was baptized that day. I don't remember that. I do remember leaving the building, and asking my grandma why it was night time. That's what I was asking in my head, but I'm sure knowing Mo's vocabulary it was much more like, "Night? Gramma, Night?" She had me put my hanky over my face and keep my head down as we walked to the car. I was thoruoghly confused. How did we go into church in the morning and come out at night? The sky really was black. I have been told that I stayed with my grandparents for a few days after that. The city pretty much shut down to dig out.

Me and my Grandpa Alva (Al). This Polaroid is undated, but he passed away in the Fall of 1980, so I know it was most likely taken in 1980.

Almost everyone around here has jars of ash saved. Figurines made from the ash, like we have in our home, are sold all over. Gardens grew like crazy, with wonderful crops thanks to the ash fortifying the soil.

Here she is in 1995. She looks different now. You may have seen in the news when in 2005 she was building her dome, and blowing off some ash. I was pregnant with Morgan, and it was an eerie sight seeing plumes of ash rising from behind the hills. My drive to and from my in-laws home gives me a perfect view of Mt. Adams and Mt. Rainier. Mt. Saint Helens is nearby, just not visible from my vantage point. I showed Kaia the ash, and as we arrived home it was lightly dusting our yard and home.

This view was amazing to me. Driving up to see Mt. Saint Helens and after 15 years there was still so much devastation! But up here in the Northwest, we are resourceful. Someone took the ash and created some beautiful art and we enjoy it in our home.

Wolves made from ash

13 comments:

Simply Heart And Home said...

TJ,

What an amazing story! I love all your figurines made of ash. Beautiful!

Have a lovely weekend and week. I'm afraid I won't be able to comment while away but I plan on posting!

Blessings,

Gina

Anonymous said...

Hi TJ,

Those are beautiful figurines! I enjoy reading about what you had to share on Mt. St. Helena.

Thank you also for the encouraging comment you had left on my blog. I am not writing as much as I used to, but I think I am going to write more because of your comment.

Thanks, and God bless!

Kindra-At Home With K said...

Great show and tell. What wonderful handmades from a tragic event! I guess when your handed lemons make lemonade!

I'm sure it was a little scary seeing smoke in the distance...I would be too. Beautiful views though. Have a great weekend!

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Thanks for visiting my blog....I really like the ash figurines. That is amazing....

Grandma Owie said...

I remember driving to work at 2:00pm and not being able to see 15 ft in front of the car. What sould have taken 15 minnutes took 1 hours to go to work. That is why you stayed with Grandpa and Grandma. I was pregnant with your brother and very concerned about complications from breathing ash. (Think that explains his wierdness?)
Love..mom

nancy said...

I do like that kind of resourcefulness.
Nancy

Kelli said...

What a wonderful show and tell! The figurines are beautiful and I enjoyed hearing about your memories, too!
~Kelli

Kathy said...

What an interesting post! I remember that day well - it's one of those days you just have to remember what you were doing when you heard the report. Cute comment from your mom, too! ...Kathy

Anonymous said...

That is very interesting. My favorite is the castle figurine.

Thanks for showing the pictures and telling the stories. What a memory!

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

I enjoyed reading your S&T and seeing the figurines made from the ash.

Katherine

j said...

You know what? I have never seen Ash figurines, didn't even know there was such a thing. Very cool show and tell.

I remember when that happened. Being here in Alabama, it was strictly a News maker, something that we heard about. Definitly not the day turning to night story that you remember.

Take care.

Jen

Kimba said...

Wow! I really loved reading your story. We must be about the same age because I remember seeing the Mt. St. Helens stories on the news when I was a kid. It's really neat to hear the story from someone who was there.

Muum said...

great story! thanks for sharing it w/ us all, and thanks for visiting my blog.