Storm stories

Lots of storm stories this week. Wow. I was grocery shopping when the storm moved in on Sunday. I wasn't sure we should drive home, but when I called, Everett said he didn't know what I was so worried about -- no warnings here, just come home. We got about two blocks before the rain and wind started in so hard I could hardly see a few feet in front of the car. The whole time I was assuring Ellie that "we're fine, we'll be home soon, we're fine" but inside I was freaking out. The street lights went out and the tornado siren started. I knew we were in the middle of a tornado. The rain and wind got even stronger. The older two girls had been downtown working and when I called home Everett said they were closing up and coming home. When we finally got home I was so relieved to be there, but . . . the older girls weren't there. I was so afraid that they were out driving in what I had just driven home in. It was hard getting the car doors open, hard walking to the house in the wind because it was so strong. I was soaked to the skin by the time I got in, Ellie was crying. Everett told me the girls were riding the storm out downtown. I was worried about them. And the basement wall had water running down it, but that was the least of my worries. Finally, the all clear siren blew, we went upstairs and the girls called and headed home. Emma came in crying, telling me Erin wasn't afraid at all. Erin had held her hand and told her it would be ok. I hugged and comforted Emma. Then I went to give Erin a big hug and she kind of fell apart. She was being strong for her sister. I know if Emma had been with us, she would have been strong for Ellie and comforted her. I was so proud of them. I wish they had been with me, but they knew what to do, and they took care of each other. I love my girls so much. And I'm so thankful we were safe.

I'm trying, lord knows I'm trying

Be master of your petty annoyances and conserve your energies for the big, worthwhile things. It isn't the mountain ahead that wears you out - it's the grain of sand in your shoe.

-- Robert Service

So I gave up talking about people for lent.

I'm not a big talker about people, or gossiper.

But I was noticing a trend.

I was getting annoyed with people I didn't even know.

And talking about them.

So you can imagine that might bleed over into those I do know.

I wasn't liking the trend at all.

I failed miserably in my lenten sacrifice.

But, by the time lent ended, I thought long and hard

anytime I thought about talking about someone.

Even the guy who pulls up beside the line of cars waiting for the train on Broadway.
Where there's not a second lane.
You know what I'm talking about.

I was even saving up some things to talk about.

Until after lent.

I even started the e-mail to say "we've got to talk".

But I deleted it without sending it.

It's progress.

One is not enough

Reduce - Reuse - Recycle

second largest hand-dug well in the country . . with trash floating in it :(

On my mind.

Wondering if I'm teaching my kids that recycling alone is enough.
And it's not.

I thought and thought and want to tell them, and anyone else I guess, that it takes all three.

This was prompted, in part, by the water bottles rolling around on the floor of the car the older two take to school. I have been refusing to buy water bottles for a long time. We have a cupboard full of reusable water bottles, plus the plastic is so bad for the landfill, where many of them end up. I did buy some water bottles for the basketball team in February or March, but I got the ones made from corn and not petroleum. If we're traveling, I tell them to pack a reusable bottle or buy their own bottles on the road.

So, I was thinking that maybe they need to be reminded of the reduce & reuse parts of that mantra. Like, for instance, the order of the words isn't just serendipity. They are in that order for a reason.

Reduce our consumption -- most important.
What we can't reduce, make sure it's something that can be reused.
And, finally, if we can't reduce or reuse, then recycle.
Makes sense to me.
That's my focus for the week, as we celebrate Earth day.

Maybe someone should warn my kids?