We had hail here on Saturday

[MissMillie]

I didn't get any pictures, but to be honest I don't ever think that doing so is the priority.

My guy was out mowing the lawn and the mower ran out of gas just as some rain started to fall. He took the mower into the garage, and as he was doing so, I was inside closing windows. By the time I made it upstairs (which we don't really use) I realized that the loud rain wasn't rain at all, but rather peanut- to grape-sized hail stones. At that point, I checked to see where he was (safe in the garage) and then started looking for the pets. Also keeping an eye on the sky. The only other time I have seen hail was when a tornado touched down about 6 miles from my home.

Somehow, his truck (which was NOT in the garage) managed to escape damage. (Thank goodness!)

It didn't last long. But while my guy was saying, "That was so cool! It's been a long time since I've seen that!" I was still watching the skies and counting my blessings.

[House of Roberts]

1. Once in January, we had a thunderstorm that produced hail.

I recognized it from the sound of it hitting the top of the air conditioner. Then the power went out. I was hungry, so I left the house to find a part of town with power and wound up on the south side of town at a Popeye's where I dug in on their buffet. After a bit I got this frantic call from my ex, wanting to know if I was OK. I said of course, why wouldn't I be? Turned out, a freak January tornado had passed right across the top of Huntsville, and damaged some houses near my house. I never realized that was why the power went out, until after I found out about the tornado.

[MissMillie]

3. It's not like my state gets many tornados

But we do get them. In 1953 (before I was born), an F4 rolled through Worcester, MA (about 35 miles from me) and killed more than 90 people.

I can't imagine what it's like to live somewhere where it happens on a regular basis. (Then again I'll bet lots of people can't imagine what it's like to live where, for 3 or 4 months out of the year, you can get a snow storm every other day.)

[smirkymonkey]

6. Where in MA do you live?

I haven't seen hail in years, but I think it's kind of cool. I kind of like extreme weather as long as long as nobody gets hurt. And as long as I am safe and warm inside somewhere with plenty of food and supplies.

[MissMillie]

7. Now I live in

northern Worcester County (about 15 miles from Mt. Monadnock in Jaffrey, NH), but I used to live in southern Worcester County.

[smirkymonkey]

8. I live east of you in Boston and we had a beautiful weekend. I didn't realize you

guys were having such rough weather out there. I usually assume that weather patterns are fairly consistent throughout the region. Anyway, I am glad you guys made it through without any damage.

[MissMillie]

9. From the first sprinkle

to when the hail stopped, it lasted all of about 20-25 minutes.

It wasn't such a bad day, really. The sun was in/out of the clouds for most of the day.

[NRaleighLiberal]

2. Ah, hail...the summertime bane of gardeners and farmers...

In our 28 years of Raleigh gardening, experienced only a handful of times. One was mid summer...ripped my tomato plants to pieces!

[MissMillie]

4. Not kidding.... that's horrible

losing your tomato crop is horrible.

Not kidding.

I mean, I'm sure that you're thankful that it wasn't worse, but losing your tomatoes is no small thing (in my mind).

(I'm really not being glib. I could eat sliced tomatoes with every meal, and the ones you grow yourself are the best.)

[csziggy]

5. We did, too - fortunately small hail

So no damage. It was a severe thunderstorm, very small and tight but lots of energy in it.