That's sure what it sounded like some time after midnight last night, when this tree came crashing down onto our little barn. We were just drifting off to sleep when we heard a few strange squeaks that we thought might be some new sort of nocturnal visitor. (In retrospect, I think it was the straining of the wood before it split.) It was windy last night, powerful gusts blowing in the rogue snow showers predicted for early this morning. Suddenly there was a loud wrenching thud, the sound of damage. G went racing out with the night-vision goggles and reported back that a major tree was down. In the morning we were greeted with this grim aftermath...

Because of the cold weather predictions, G had spent yesterday afternoon jerry-rigging a cold frame over our newly planted lettuces. I am sad, but grateful it happened now and not later in the season when the garden will be in full swing.

Hopefully this will be it for things that go bump in the night...