my shelter from the storm....

One of the selling points of Southern Illinois is unpredictability. Weather is certainly something we can never really predict or think we have a "good hold on" in this area. It has snowed in March, had tornadoes in December, and you never really know how to dress to stay a comfortable temperature. For this reason, when I see the bright colors on the weather channels map of this area, the clouds change, and winds pick up - I ready the basement. I think "the May 8th storm" - may it live in infamy - taught us to be cautious of Spring/Summer transition weather. I also think it made every person a little cautious of bad weather, turn nutso.

If I'm being honest, I will admit that I do fear sleeping right through a tornado. I don't why I should fear that, I mean it would be the best way to go. But with my sick and twisted mind, I fear that I will wake, mid wind sweep while I am whirling through the air, to panic and say to myself - Why didn't I fear the weather more and hide in the basement! A little over-dramatic...most likely. I was THAT person, taking a nice bath this evening when the storm was in Stonefort- headed this way. I had about three cautious (wonderful) friends sending me IMs and texts telling me to get in my basement as it is about to hit. Where was this brain thrust...taking a bath. My father would be so disappointed to know this fact. He is constantly trying to embed it into my brain, when there is lightening, and possible bad weather - stay out of the bathtub. But where do I find solitude during this time....in a bath. I can't help it, I love my bath time. I do some of my best problem solving, relaxing, and reading during this time. Well, thanks to my adoring friends, I high-tailed it to my basement area. I did exactly as my mother told me, and brought my purse down with me. No way would a tornado be taking the good looks of this house AND my credit cards. No sir! My purse is like my lifeline, and my mother taught me to never let it out of sight. So here I am in my basement with my purse, shoes, blanket, flashlight, and the storm kit within sight (Yes I have a storm kit. It has candles, batteries, and other important things in it. It is a genius idea, thanks for noticing) I look around and realize that I am not as dumb as I may look. I have made quite the storm shelter. I have an assortment of chairs and recliners, a dart board, my craft table, and washer and dryer down here. I just sat my little self down with a good book, and started in on my loads of laundry needing to be done. People would send me messages asking if I was ok. Ok? I'm fantastic! I just finished this great book and load number! I saw pics of some funnel clouds from mere miles away from my house, and someone never tensed up at all. My little shelter from the storm was quite the relaxing evening at home. I really enjoyed myself during all the sirens and concern.

As I sit and think about it, I probably should have been a little bit more concerned tonight. I wonder if this shelter from the storm, or I should refer to it as, my relaxing getaway - if it is making me not cautious enough about Southern Illinois weather? Eh. I don't think I will worry too much about it. :)

Comments

  1. I wish I could feel that way and if I had a basement, it would help. But we don't and I have been petrified of tornadoes from the time I was a little girl. I'm just not a calm person by nature and as much as I try - it doesn't work. I was sick to my stomach all day yesterday. Thankfully my parents next door DO have a basement, but it's not quite as comforting as just staying in our own house, so usually I don't run over there unless the sirens are going and even then, it sometimes moves in so quickly, that I just have to hide out in our only interior room - a walk-in closet in our bedroom. :)

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  2. It's strange, Linda, because I used to be so scared of storms! One day very soon after I moved out into this wonderful little house, I got brave. This confidence overwhelms me at times in this house. I never liked staying alone - then I moved out, and have been OK with it ever sense. And somehow, I haven't been afraid of storms since either.

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  3. A PLUS, Erin--but oh for the days of the little girl sleeping in her sleeping bag only an arm's length away while the storms raged outside....

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