We and the Wind
Here’s a lyric from a famous Broadway play, Oklahoma:
When the wind comes sweeping down the plains”.
That phrase has taken on a whole new meaning in our times in Western Ohio. There, above the soybean and corn fields, soar gigantic turbines designed to capture the wind and turn it into energy to power homes. They are striking structures. Towers rising more than 300 feet above the ground. Hundreds are already up and their blades are turning and turning most of the day and night. Each has 8-thousand moving parts and each costs around 2-million dollars.
Scientists tell us that the winds above 300 feet average 14 miles per hour. That’s more than enough because the turbines begin producing electricity when winds reach speeds of 8 or 9 miles per hour. When fully completed each of the turbine towers will produce enough electricity to power 500 Ohio homes.
Strange, isn’t it, that the wind is there… but it is impossible to see. It’s invisible.
The poet, Christina Rossetti, put it this way:
Who has seen the wind…neither I, nor you,
~ Christina Rossetti
But, when the leaves lay trembling
The wind is passing through.
Who has seen the wind…neither I, nor you,
But, when the trees bow their heads,
The wind is passing through…”
Since creation, the wind has blown over sea and land, sometimes its power has caused destruction. But, now, in a striking way, the wind has become our friend bringing light and warmth to our homes.
It’s another wondrous thing to behold in Our Times.
Dear Readers, may the wind always be at your backs and bring you peace.