Natural Storms

The authorities sounded a warning alarm about a potential storm. Even as weather people tracked the tornado moving from town to town, it felt hard to believe a tornado would touch down here. So we didn’t prepare by moving to the basement or following any of the precautions the weather people suggested. Instead we watched TV and waited. The tornado touch down deadline came and went and nothing happened—this time. We can ignore some warnings while others demand our immediate attention. Check out this attention-grabber:   

                                         https://youtu.be/Wy-teEFnHLQ

No one wants to be caught unprepared in a storm. Weather-related surprises only cause stress and anxiety. Once the weatherperson warns us days in advance about an impending storm, we have time to think about how to react and which safety precautions we need to take. Unfortunately, some of life’s storms happen overnight when we least expect them. What actions can you take now to deal with life’s storms?               

Peaceful Power

I’m a pseudo-meteorologist. You probably don’t hear that confession very often.  My mother said that, as a child, I always asked about the weather conditions. At my house, my husband or kids seem to think I have the inside scoop on the weather. Almost daily one of them asks, “What’s the weather today?” and “How hot is it going to be?” Maybe it’s because they catch me listening to the forecast about twice a day, and more often when a big storm is predicted. I just like to be prepared for whatever comes.

Although I dread getting caught in bad weather, that’s exactly what happened last week. Driving home, a curtain of wind and rain slammed across the windshield. I don’t usually pull over during storms but the blinding rain obscured everything. I couldn’t see and I couldn’t pull over. The curvy road offered no shoulder for the faint – hearted. Fortunately only small branches littered the street and nothing fell into my path. After the storm, numerous split tree trunks testified to the storm’s strength.

A tornado‘s power is amazing, and one videographer managed to capture beauty amidst chaos. Take a look:

                                         https://youtu.be/Crpit2DNtw4

Despite a tornado’s massive size and destructive power, it can also create a majestic and tranquil scene. When you find yourself caught up in life’s storms, how do you reclaim peace? 

Modified from August 2011

Where the Wind Blows

Today feels like October. It’s a blustery day as Winnie-the-Pooh would say. I’m amazed at how the wind can be a gentle breeze or whip up into a whirling tornado. Recently weather experts found that wind bursts from clouds may be blasting into the ocean creating massive waves in the Bermuda Triangle area. Here’s the full scoop:

                                         https://youtu.be/swVs_lYHF3g

 News outlets ran with the story and reported that the mystery of the Bermuda Triangle had finally been solved after years of ship and plane disappearances in the area. But, the expert who initiated the wind burst theory denied setting out to solve the Bermuda Triangle mystery. In fact, he never made a connection between the mysterious disappearances and the wind bursts he discovered. So, the mystery remains unsolved and the research continues. You’d think that, given our technology and smarts, we would know the answers to certain things by now. What kind of mystery can you explain?

In the Center of a Storm

I’m a pseudo-meteorologist. You probably don’t hear that confession very often.  My mother said that, as a child, I always asked about the weather conditions. At my house, my husband or kids seem to think I have the inside scoop on the weather. Almost daily one of them asks, “What’s the weather today?” and “How hot is it going to be?” Maybe it’s because they catch me listening to the forecast about twice a day, and more often when a big storm is predicted. I just like to be prepared for whatever comes.

Although I dread getting caught in bad weather, that’s exactly what happened last week. Driving home, a curtain of wind and rain slammed across the windshield. I don’t usually pull over during storms but the blinding rain obscured everything. I couldn’t see and I couldn’t pull over. The curvy road offered no shoulder for the faint – hearted. Fortunately only small branches littered the street and nothing fell into my path. After the storm, numerous split tree trunks testified to the storm’s strength.

A tornado‘s power is amazing, and one videographer managed to capture beauty amidst chaos. Take a look: 

Despite a tornado’s massive size and destructive power, it can also create a majestic and tranquil scene. When you find yourself caught up in life’s storms, how do you reclaim peace? 

Unplugged and Powerless

Driving down Main St. and seeing rows of closed businesses, non-working traffic lights, and long lines of cars inching through town made me feel like a visitor in an abandoned town.   

A huge, powerful storm and the lightening that accompanied it left part of Lansdale unplugged and powerless. No phones, no lights, no air conditioning, no computers—and for business owners—no sales.  Buildings, however, remained intact and after a good long wait, power was restored. After this brief, inconvenient outage, merchants could anticipate sales on the following day.  

Compare our situation to victims in the Heartlands and Southern states where monster storms left scores of towns with almost nothing. The news showed pictures of commercial buildings flattened and scattered, and residents facing ruined businesses and livelihoods. Over the last several weeks, the impact of tornados in states like Missouri gives unplugged and powerless a whole new meaning.  Check out a video that captures the devastation.

It’s difficult to imagine how we would respond if our homes and jobs disappeared overnight. We experienced a tiny bit of what a devastating storm can do. Thank goodness it wasn’t worse. How did you fare in this last storm and what is your general attitude in the face of adversity? Be honest. Are you generally thankful or unthankful in dark and trying times—but more importantly—why?