What an unwelcome surprise. I am so sorry. Did you have a storm? I hope at least your car is covered. Should not your neighbor's home insurance cover your losses? Many years ago an oak in our backyard got hit by lightning and crushed our neighbor's garden shed. Our insurance paid for their fence and the shed, their's paid for the lawnmower and garden stuff, minus the first 500.00 deductible, which we paid in cash.
Since last year's ice storm/power outage I have in each room a couple of those little puck lights on easily reached spots, like each nightstand, besides the sinks, on the side tables, by the TV and next to the lightswitch in the kitchen taped to the wall (they come with a sticky pad). Came handy last Wednesday when two trucks, one loaded with tree trunks, one with bricks, decided to use the same space and wiped out the transformer station along the highway, as well as two telephone poles.

Anneliese is right: This is your neighbor's bill to pay, and his homeowner's insurance should cover it. Screw his (non-)apology. ;o)

We sat in the dark the night before last. Steve and I brought dinner to a friend who is going through a rough time. We drove through flooded streets with tornadoes reported all around us, and just when we made it through the storm to her door, the power went out. She found candles before the daylight completely went away, and we ate, drank wine, and commiserated by candle light. In a way, the lack of power was a nice distraction... it sort of seemed right under the circumstances.

I'm sorry your stuff got smashed. I remember how you were looking forward to getting the back patio all set up when I visited you last.

Sorry, but the only way my neighbor will be liable is if
I had written him a letter expressing my concern about his
tree and asking him to get it trimmed.

The limb just got too heavy to support the extra weight
and split off.
Not to worry, I am going to have it removed from my stuff
and deposited right in front of the gate he has installed in
his fence so he can shortcut through my yard when he drags
his dog out for a walk. I just don't have any idea when my
yardman can get it removed completely from my yard. (Read
with a southern accent)

I had just bought a new dripper for the birdbath and some
new bird seed the expensive kind with no hulls and had been
looking forward to sitting out back and watching the birds.
Every night I have been drawing and re-drawing plans for
my space back there.
The birds had found the dripper and the new seed and a Robin
just yesterday had built a nest on top of the power box at the corner of the house. Sheesh!

I forgot to tell y'all that we just sat in the dark last
night and ate ice cream. I had bought some Bluebell Coffee
for Katrina and some Vanilla for Neil. Lord only knows what
could have happened if I had Chocolate around here.

Nice neighbor. Now go and have a lawyer write him a letter that there is no right of way from his property through yours. If you don't, after a few years it is an established right!

Call your insurance company out to check out the situation. Let them handle it. They are not interested in paying out for a claim that is not theirs. And I agree with anneliese, inform the neighbor, in writing that he/she does not have a right of way through your property. Make copies, keep one for your files and send one to your insurance company. Very little cost for a lot of coverage.
Regarding alternative light sources. We have needed them over the years because our energy company has fallen short many a times. We have a specified place for flash lights. I buy candles at garage sales and they also have a specific place.
Yes, being in the dark "sucks eggs" and I see that Neil agrees.

Jan, so sorry to hear about your *mishap* --to put it mildly. In 1988 in a freakish storm, an 80' tall, 100 year old oak tree from our neighbor's yard fell onto our roof, causing two big holes and much damage. The fire department had to come to see if we could stay in our house.

We learned that the neighbor's insurance company considered the tree falling as "an Act of God" -- and they weren't responsible! Fortunately, our insurance covered it, but it was a big hassle and not an easy fix.

Sure glad you had some ice cream to help!

Jan...sorry for all that mess and bother but it sure does lend itself to another one of your great posts. You know,you should have considered being a writer along with your wing walking.You are very good at it. Are you going to replace everything that was broken? That was mega damage from a single limb.

Gotta dig out from under the limb to see what is totally
wiped out. It will take muscles and the ability to use a
chainsaw. It can wait because of the heat. I
wouldn't ask anyone to work when it is 100 degrees or more
outside.

My car is okay. I wasn't looking forward to living without
wheels until mine were repaired.

Something good has arrived with the fallen limb.
There are all kinds of birds checking out Nature's
decorating skills and they approve wholeheartedly.
Mr.and Mrs. Towhee now have plenty of places to hide from
the neighbor's cat. The Titmouse family stopped by to offer
their condolences for the loss of my bird feeder. I
took them up on their offer to clean up the spilled seeds.
They did a good job and it didn't cost anything for the cleanup.

There was a big fight between the Robins and the Mockingbird
families but I think they've settled their differences.
Perhaps I should take a lesson from them and not be so hard
on my own neighbors. On second thought the Robins won that
fight by kicking butt.

The Sparrow children are taking frequent baths now much to
the delight of their parents. The Hummingbirds have a
great spot right next to the kitchen window where they can
sit and have lunch and not be disturbed by anything.

Sometimes the good just outweighs the bad.

When you get lemons, make lemonade. You have a good outlook on life.
Marda is right, you should write.

I am so sorry Janis, you deserve the apology. What a goof they are to not say they're sorry.

Anneliese and Marda speak the truth, Jan. It's always fun to read your posts, but the one about the serendipity for the birds is special.

The mess is gone.
I hired a nice guy from a landscaping company to
cut up the limb and take it away along with the glass
topped tables and the things that didn't survive.
He brought 2 guys with him and only charged me $100.00.
I gave him extra money because it was so hot outside and I
appreciated them getting it cleaned up so quickly.
This 100 degree & plus weather is getting a little old even
for the south.

Now for that good neighbor fence and landscaping.:0)

Wow Janis what a good deal! That part worked out, now onward and upward. Yes, a good fence is a good thing.. smiles.

I went out to ride the grass tonight at almost 8 to maximize any cooling off and it was .... coolish. Amazing and very welcome. Probably because we're going to a mini family reunion tomorrow and there is a pool, so it will probably be cool.

So glad you made this excellent progress.