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Storm Damage
Last Wednesday a severe wind storm affected a large portion of Michigan, including CHFS. Thankfully there was no damage to humans, animals, or buildings. There was, however, a fair amount of tree damage. Here are a few pictures of some of the trees that came down. It’s hard to show in the photos just how massive some of the trees were, but I think this will give you a little sense of it.
A tree behind our chicken coop that fell down over the chicken fence
A view of that tree from the other side. It was near the Yew tree, which was not damaged at all.
A tree on the edge of the woods
More of that tree following one of the broken branches
The same tree, continuing to follow that broken branch
A Sycamore that snapped in two
The same sycamore
Another part of the snapped Sycamore
Another tree broken like a matchstick
More of the previous tree, following the broken half down
More of the previous tree, continuing to follow the broken half down
A lot of trees were completely uprooted like this one.
We’re incredibly grateful that there was no damage to the hoophouse. It was the building in greatest danger of being affected by the strong winds. My brother-in-law (who came to visit us with my sister this weekend) suggested that perhaps the hops vines helped hold it in place. Hmmmm… thanks be to the Green Man.
A view of the hops vines (holding down the hoophouse?)
Sending you all love from the Sanctuary,
Jean
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Written by : Jean Cavanaugh
Jean Cavanaugh is the founder and steward of Crossing Hedgerows Sanctuary, established in 2019 as a living, learning community devoted to reconnecting people with the wisdom of nature, the sacred order of creation, and the presence of Christ within all life. Her work brings together spiritual formation, ecological stewardship, ancestral wisdom, and hands-on community practice.
Through years of practical work on the land, study of the Mysteries, and the healing of her own severe health challenges through natural methods, Jean has come to recognize God’s hand at work throughout creation. Her teachings, rooted in the Mystery School tradition and Christian gnosis, explore how the patterns of heaven, earth, and the human body reveal the way back to divine presence, peace, and inner strength.
Jean leads with honesty, integrity, and a deeply welcoming spirit, inviting others to let go of inherited assumptions and rediscover truth through lived experience and embodied understanding. She works with all ages—from preschoolers to elders—offering programs and celebrations that emphasize direct engagement with nature, music, story, homesteading skills, and in-person community.
She and her family live at the 21-acre Crossing Hedgerows Sanctuary, where daily life reflects a commitment to simplicity, beauty, and harmony with the land. The sanctuary includes gardens, woodland trails, a seasonal creek, gathering circles, and spaces designed to nourish both people and wildlife. Jean is especially passionate about creating environments that are grounding, beautiful, and spiritually restorative.
Through her writing and teaching, Jean encourages others to know themselves, know creation, and recognize Christ as the living truth present within and around us—always inviting a return to love, beauty, and the sacred order of life.
