Mother Nature

In the 11 days that I have been in Arkansas, I have survived two severe storms! I guess it's not called Tornado Alley for nothing. I am generally a fan of storms...especially thunder/lightning storms. There is just something magical about how Mother Nature can be so delicate and yet so powerful at the same time.  

I'm here at my family's bakery, Merfeld's Bread Co, for Open Mic Night and instead I watch the storm blow in. The beating rain causes the windows to flex back and forth, the flooded parking lot quickly invites itself in, the lightning & thunder work in perfect unison and the storm sirens pierce the darkness. We hear the shatter of glass from the store a few doors down. Huddled around the ham radio that my-always-prepared-dad has brought along, we listen to the weather report. 

"SEEK IMMEDIATE SHELTER! DO NOT ATTEMPT TO TRAVEL!"

The silver lining in all this is that we are seeking shelter at a bakery that is stocked with lots of goodies, restrooms and a bunch of musicians!

I have decided to put together an emergency kit of supplies that I'll keep in my car for just such an occasion. Non-parishable food, water, flashlight with batteries, candles & matches, blanket, radio.....that sort of stuff. You ask, "But you live in Oregon. How many storms will you really experience?" I have no idea.....but if one comes.......I'll be prepared :-)