(Okay — technically I’m at Exit 76, but that’s how the song goes.)
The area right off Exit 76 is like a war zone. You used to take a left and stop at a traffic light right in front of the new hotel…there’s not a traffic light there anymore. I don’t mean it’s out — I mean IT’S GONE. You can see the stumps where the signs used to be. There’s a trailer set up as a control center for the Sheriff’s department — there must have been 100 cop cars along the street in front and to the side of it. None of the stoplights or streetlights on Medical Center Blvd are working, and The Avenue is completely dark. All I could see were flashing lights and men in reflectored jackets, escorting us along.
Every muscle in my body immediately started to shake. It was the first time today I had really been scared…but I was really scared. Happily, the next major intersection (Thompson Lane) had a working stoplight, and I drove into a land of electricity and life.
A couple of years ago, Mom gave me a timer, so that I never again had to return home to a dark house. I currently have a string of magenta Christmas lights plugged into it. I didn’t have power when I left the house this morning — all I could think as I turned the corner by the Boys & Girls Club was "Please let there be pink lights. Please let there be pink lights." And there were.
My house is in one piece, there are no trees down (hey – maybe my neighbors will now finally get rid of the dead tree on my fence!), and I have electricity.
And, for all of you who were worried about him, Charlie’s safe too. I found him in the bathtub with a bicycle helmet on, along with our usual Tornado Warning gear. That’s my boy.
April 11th, 2009 at 1:59 am
Whew!
I was thinking about you all day! Stupid tornadoes.
April 11th, 2009 at 2:00 am
Glad all is well!
April 11th, 2009 at 2:02 am
I am so relieved that you are okay!
April 11th, 2009 at 2:06 am
OH! GOOD!
I have been worried for you all day!
That’s 100% of folks I know and love in the Boro safe and sounds, homes and body, too!
Good lad, Charlie! You could give my girls a lesson in tornado preparedness!
April 11th, 2009 at 2:13 am
Charlie is adorable in his helmet!
April 11th, 2009 at 2:40 am
I will be so glad when this month’s over. I always am.
April 11th, 2009 at 2:41 am
Let’s just be clear…that’s MY awesome green helmet. But I don’t mind that he borrowed it.
April 11th, 2009 at 2:41 am
**hugs**
April 11th, 2009 at 1:59 am
Whew!
I was thinking about you all day! Stupid tornadoes.
April 11th, 2009 at 2:00 am
Glad all is well!
April 11th, 2009 at 2:02 am
I am so relieved that you are okay!
April 11th, 2009 at 2:06 am
OH! GOOD!
I have been worried for you all day!
That’s 100% of folks I know and love in the Boro safe and sounds, homes and body, too!
Good lad, Charlie! You could give my girls a lesson in tornado preparedness!
April 11th, 2009 at 2:13 am
Charlie is adorable in his helmet!
April 11th, 2009 at 2:40 am
I will be so glad when this month’s over. I always am.
April 11th, 2009 at 2:41 am
Let’s just be clear…that’s MY awesome green helmet. But I don’t mind that he borrowed it.
April 11th, 2009 at 2:41 am
**hugs**
April 11th, 2009 at 3:59 am
I’m glad everything is all right!
April 11th, 2009 at 3:59 am
I’m glad everything is all right!
April 11th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
I’m glad you’re okay! Scary stuff.
April 11th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
I’m glad you’re okay! Scary stuff.
April 11th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
Thank you for checking in.
April 11th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
Thank you for checking in.
April 11th, 2009 at 6:01 pm
So glad you’re okay and your house wasn’t damaged.
April 11th, 2009 at 6:01 pm
So glad you’re okay and your house wasn’t damaged.
April 12th, 2009 at 6:17 am
OMG, so glad you’re OK. *hugs*
April 12th, 2009 at 6:17 am
OMG, so glad you’re OK. *hugs*
April 13th, 2009 at 6:05 am
Paul saw this over my shoulder and asked if your bear was in zombie preparedness mode.
April 13th, 2009 at 6:05 am
Paul saw this over my shoulder and asked if your bear was in zombie preparedness mode.
April 13th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
Our Zombie Apocalypse gear does looks very similar; it also includes MREs, knives, rollerskates, and baseball bats. (I never played Cricket.)
April 13th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
Our Zombie Apocalypse gear does looks very similar; it also includes MREs, knives, rollerskates, and baseball bats. (I never played Cricket.)