Thankful Thimble Thursday: Tornado Season

Hello, friends! I'm glad it's time for Angel Brian's Thankful Thursday Blop Hop.

Today, I am immensely grateful that we ended up safe and secure from the storms and tornadoes that devastated parts of the Midwest last night. We live in Central Illinois. For many days they forecasted that our county would be right in the bullseye of the storms that blew through yesterday. However, the morning storms that were projected to bring us wind gusts up to 100 mph ended up weakening. We did get thunder, lightning, and torrential downpours, but we're used to that and got nothing of real concern. I'm not an expert and so can't explain it, but the change in our morning storms caused the forecasted evening storms to shift south of us.

That all said, it's hard to be too thankful when those south of us, who were not expecting the worst of the storms, ended up with some pretty major damage and destruction from multiple tornadoes. Most of my extended family live south of us, and multiple of them experienced side effects from terrifying tornadoes. While none of their homes were majorly damaged, some of them are now without power, and other parts of their towns are devastated and filled with debris. Late last night, one of the towns that was hit worst, and where one of my uncles and cousins live, has declared a state of emergency.

I am sending thoughts and prayers to anyone who was affected by yesterday's storms.

We thought we would be doing lots of hiding last night.

But turns out no hiding was needed on our part.

As for yesterday's storms, our local meteorologists always stream live during the entirety of major storms in order to keep us informed. One of them even drives around, for hours on end if needed, to follow the storms and show what's happening outside. Because of that, I was watching live footage of the tornadoes last night. It was terrifying just seeing it on my phone, so I cannot image what all those affected by them were feeling, thinking, or overall going through during those storms.

Again, my thoughts and prayers are with all those affected. At least a couple injuries have been reported, but so far I do not believe there have been any deaths reported. I truly hope it remains that way, and I pray that all those injured or otherwise impacted can properly recover.

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We now have the fill-in statements for tomorrow's Friendly Fill-Ins challenge. My amazing co-host Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the first two, and I came up with the second two.

1. Let's bring back _________.

2. _________ is the new _________.

3. I appreciate that my local area _________.

4. _________ is my least favorite part about where I live.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Because I'm nothing if not a broken record, I'll again say that I'm in a spooky mood. This happens pretty much every summer, as I await my favorite season of autumn and my beloved holiday that is Halloween. So, most summers I end up scribbling up spooky doodles. I have not yet created the ones I want to for this summer (which I guess is fine, since it's not even technically summer yet and so I still have plenty of time), so we're sharing old summertime spooky doodles. Like this one from last year, starring my girl Thimble.

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Tip of the Day

Today's tip regarding bringing home a new furbaby is about microchips. If you adopt a furbaby from a shelter or rescue, they sometimes will have already implanted a microchip in your new kitty or pup. If this is the case, ensure that you know how to register the microchip with your information, and that you of course actually do so. If a cat or dog adopted from a shelter or rescue does not have a microchip placed, then do consider having one placed by your veterinarian, and, again, properly registering it.

In the case that you directly rescue a furbaby without a third party, such as if the cat or dog is found as a stray, then first have it microchip scanned at a local shelter, rescue group, or veterinary office that has a microchip scanner. This can help ensure that the furbaby does not belong to someone who is looking for them. In the event that no owner is found and you choose to adopt the furbaby, then, again, certainly consider having a microchip implanted, and register it with your contact information.

Also be sure that you understand the renewal process of your furbaby's microchip. Many microchips require yearly renewal, but again, be sure to you do your research on the exact microchip that is implanted in your cat or dog. Also make sure that your information, as well as that of your furbaby, is updated as needed in the microchip company's records. If you move, update the address attached to your furbaby's microchip. The same goes for if you have a change of phone number, of any other detail that corresponds with the microchip.

Implanting and keeping a microchip updated can help ensure that, should your furbaby get lost, a microchip scan would still lead back them to you. Today's tip was technically part of our series about adopting a new furbaby, but microchips are relevant and important for any and all furbabies. No one wants to think about what could happen should their furbaby escape and get lost. Should that ever happen, though, a microchip would give them a far better chance of returning to you.