Okay, that was scary.

We had a storm yesterday, and it got a lot worse than I'd ever imagined it would be (meteorologists tend to overstate things a bit). At one point, you could actually hear a constant noise like a freight train; I've never heard wind like that! I've read the stories about tornadoes, and believe me, I now feel even less inclined to ever visit Tornado Alley at the wrong time of year.

And then, this morning, everything was perfectly calm - although with a lot more apples on the ground! I dont think any of them survived the storm.

The same goes for the rowan berries; there was this odd squishy feeling when I walked outside this morning, from the berries completely covering the ground. I don't think I've ever seen them leave their home so suddenly:). But the roof was in one piece, and so were the trees, so we got off lightly.

I was safe and sound at home yesterday, but the storm made me think of last time I experienced really bad weather. I left home to go on a two-hour train ride - and arrived twenty-two hours later in something that looked like a war zone, houses almost torn apart by the storm. Seven of those hours were spent on the train, a good number of those hours sitting next to two drug addicts who were on their way to buy drugs in the nearest town. Compared to that, my own desperation about getting to a very important meeting the next day seemed a bit less severe... It's all about perspective!

Do you live somewhere with extreme weather - and what's your favorite/least favorite weather? I for one is not a big fan of storms!

If I'd been a little younger, this would be where I'd be saying Oh. My. God. Maybe even OMG. Because reading this book is simply one of those experiences which will stay with me for a long, long time. Wow.

I'm talking about the Special Forces trilogy (Soldiers, Mercenaries I/II, and Veterans) by Aleksandr Voinov and Marquesate. Almost 3,400 pages, and it was way too short. I've been reading extra slowly this entire week, desperately trying to stretch the last two hundred pages or so because I really, really didn't want it to end. I've been living in these two guys' world for weeks now, and I can't bear to part ways.

It's a really harsh story in many ways; the saga about two soldiers on each side during the Cold War. As a matter of fact, many readers will probably balk at the violence and misery in it; consider yourself warned. What drew me into the story was the very real, very raw feeling in it - and the incredibly well done characterization. These men are soldiers, flawed and damaged and intriguing, and they aged and developed over twenty-five years. It's an impressive accomplishment.

And did I mention that the story is free? Yes, it's hard to believe, but it is. You can find it on Aleksandr Voinov's page and on Marquesate's page. Beware: The point of view is jumpy, which made me dizzy in the beginning. Stick with it anyway; it's totally worth it.

Now I have to drag myself out of this universe and back into my own reality.