Tornado Watch

Today the tornado got so close we had to head to the basement. This is a first for us but not all that uncommon here in Wisconsin. We have already had a number of them this year. Must be the climate change going on or it is just a bad tornado year.

The thing had been on the ground ten miles from here, and it was straight southwest of our home. Not good. Dangerous. We watched the news and the radar as the siren sounded a couple of times. The weather outside was disturbing as the sky became green and dark---not a good sign. Our kids, and grand kid are visiting, so it was a family event. We chatted up the weather and stepped out side to take in the ominous event hoping that nothing would really happen but still excited about the violent weather. The wind was low but the clouds were moving quickly. Still, we could see no turbulence. The lightening was almost constant and in the background we could clearly hear this rumbling that was growing in volume. We were nervous but intrigued. Nature is wild and Mother Nature can be a bitch.

The news finally said it was heading to Amherst straight out and would be there at 6:35. So faithful to all the weathermen, we headed to the musty basement along dragging the dog and, initially, the cat. Turns out the cat didn't like it all that much so we put him back upstairs thinking if we got hit this really old cat would go out in style.

Having never done this before we were forced to consider what we wanted to save in case the entire outfit was blown a way. Well, we grabbed musical instruments, some cash, phones (to call for help), computers and drives with all our pictures and writing. After being down there for only a few seconds I was sent upstairs to fetch our evening drinks. "Get beer and don't forget my Martini."

We were sparred but some one brought up that this my be similar to the rapture, or maybe it was the start of the rapture. That is why the beer was so important, because up in the heavens there was no beer. It was a good exercise and a chance to reflect on what has value.