Ducking & Covering

Living in the Rust Belt left me blissfully ignorant of the possibility of a tornado. However, we're just on the outside of Tornado Alley so still close enough for the local grocery store to designate an area as a tornado shelter. Complete with signs leading the way should the need arise. I hadn't seen the words "tornado shelter" in over 15 years.

My family lived in the Dallas-Fort Worth area for a brief period of time when I was in early elementary school. I have fond memories of walking single file into a storage closet with my classmates and huddling in rows. I don't recall if these were just drills or the real thing. I remember my Dad pointing out storm cellars in people's yards and I wondered (in my head) if we should befriend those people just in case. Other memories include my Dad telling me "If anyone asks if you like the Dallas Cowboys, you say yes." Ah, Texas. But before I could say "Troy Aikman" we were back in Southern California and I had to lose my slight drawl and remember how to duck and cover for earthquakes.

If I had to choose between earthquakes or tornadoes, I would pick earthquakes. That might be because I am a native Californian and earthquakes are just a way of life. And when I say way of life I mean, you hardly ever notice when they happen and when you do notice it's more important to remember what you were doing when the shaking started so you can compare notes with friends and family. Count exactly how many books fell off the shelf, trust me, the local news station wants you to call and tell them this important detail. In fact some Californians become irritated when they miss earthquakes. I missed one once because I was on the freeway, with my mom, on the way to the mall. All the good stores were closed when we got there and we couldn't figure out why. Macy's was closed for the whole day. I was irate after that.

Anyway, I guess the real reason I would choose earthquakes is the aforementioned "Ignorance is Bliss" attitude. Earthquakes, unlike tornadoes, cannot be predicted and therefore there is no frantic running around collecting birth certificates, flashlights and a mattress so you can jump in the bathtub and wait for certain doom. Seismic activity happens every day in California. Though they may be small and out in the middle of the desert. Tornadoes don't happen everyday. I understand that there are major and minor occurrences of both but you can't hear an earthquake like you can hear a tornado. The sky doesn't turn an ominous shade of black, green and yellow with an earthquake. With a tornado there is always going to be destruction with an earthquake there may not even be an open cupboard door. With all of that said, there are people who live in Tornado Alley who claim living in California would be impossible for them because of the earthquakes. I wonder if the inability to predict disaster is what scares them the most. Whereas, turning on the television after you've noticed the sky has turned black, after being sunny all day, and hearing the weatherman tell you to seek shelter immediately because they have seen rotation and it doesn't look good is so much more comforting.

Tornado warnings are the only time when I am glad we live in the basement. What bothered me, was the last two warnings came when David was still at work or on his way home. I hate weather, severe weather just makes me panic and being alone just makes it even worse. A tornado never formed (either time) and David and I may never have to live through one. Though, I think I'm the only one that recognizes the signs and severity of a tornado. David is still in California mode and thinks that a tornado will just take us to Oz to see the Wizard. But, if he thinks dropping a house on me is a easy way to get rid of me, he's got another think coming.