The winter of 2006-07 has been one for the record books - we began with the wettest month on record in November, experienced a snow day or two, and thought it was a rough winter. Then came the big blow on December 14th, a howling night-time storm that brought down big trees all over Puget Sound, including about 8 at St. Mary's, Bellevue.

We woke up in the dark the next morning and began to clean up the damage. Trees had fallen through our fence (above), taking the wiring with them. Sister Judy Johnson, Administrator at St. Mary's, got out her broom and went to work clearing the courtyard (left, top). Our most dramatic loss was the tree that fell on Cusack Hall. In the photo on the left, it looks as if it's crashing into Sister Noreen's room, but - mercifully - it rested on the roof parapet and caused little damage. Taking it down was a dramatic job involving a lumberjack, crane, and crew working for two days. At bottom, the stripped tree at the end of the first day.

Like many in the region, we were out of power and light for a week. But thanks to our generator, the main residential buildings stayed warm, there was enough light for safety, and the kitchen (mercifully equipped with gas stoves) provided lots of coffee and good meals. Just as our 15-year-old generator was about to collapse from the strain, the line crews showed up to rewire the property, and soon we were enjoying the daily miracle of electricity with new and fuller appreciation.

We feel deep gratitude for our wonderful staff, who showed up every day - though getting here was quite a challenge! The work of cleaning up is still underway in January, as we experience our latest bit of wild weather, a snowstorm followed by a cold snap.