April 14, 2012

Mrs. Bale Reports


It's April and in the Midwest that means there's a high risk for severe weather. When we lived in San Diego, I'd never heard the term "inclement weather." There really wasn't much discussion about the weather and I don't recall paying much attention to the local weather report. We certainly didn't own a weather radio.

It's quite a bit different in Nebraska. We have an emergency plan, of sorts, in mind when spring weather rolls in. Flashlights and the NOAA weather radio get fresh batteries. Important documents, wallets, prescriptions, cash, chargers for cell phones, etc. are moved to the basement. We try to have a supply of bottled watered, nonperishable food, and a first aid kit handy. Not to mention extra clothes, shoes, reading material and wine and/or bourbon. The latter has proven to help with storm-related anxiety! ;)

It looks like it will be a bit stormy this afternoon and tonight, so I'm heading out to the grocery store (which is bound to be crowded, as most people will have the same idea as me). So much for a long bike ride.


10 comments:

  1. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Les! Keep safe!

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  2. Anonymous6:24 AM

    Good luck, Les. Spring in the Midwest. Always "interesting", never boring. LOL

    I'm going to do a little piece for my "Scrapbook" next Friday on Texas tornadoes. 'Tis the season.

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  3. Saw on the news that this may be a busy weather day in the middle of the US! Good luck (& have a drink for me)!

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  4. Not only do we have "inclement weather," we have a PDS according to the Weather Channel (potentially dangerous situation!). I've lived in Nebraska all of my life and never thought to have bourbon in my emergency kit. But I'm going, right now, to add it!

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  5. My aunt used to keep an axe in her closet where shed go to during torn warnings. Thought she could hack herself out! But I do think wearing a bike/football helmet seems to be a good idea. Did you hear of the gal who put kitchen pots on her kid's heads for protection? Stay safe!!!

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  6. We sit in the hall when it storms and wonder if it's pointless, anyway, because the oak trees would crush us if they happened to fall in our direction. No basement. I don't feel very safe, here, but what can you do? Wait! Maybe rum and coke in the hallway would help? That used to knock me flat. LOL Good thinking with the bourbon.

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  7. I hope that this weather didn't impact you!

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  8. I hope that you guys are all safe and sound. We don't get a lot of activity this far south but it's frightening to have such little control when tornados are involved.

    I see you're listening to Little Giant. How are you liking it?

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  9. Thanks, everyone! We were rather lucky and I'm grateful for the early warning reports. We had heavy rain (maybe 3 or 4 inches?), but no damaging winds or hail. We spent the evening with some friends and got home around 10 or so. Went to bed and slept through two tornado sirens! Apparently, a storm spotter saw a funnel cloud near the airport (7 miles from us) around 11:30. I slept through the whole thing! And yes, we have a weather radio. It was in the basement, where I'd left it earlier in the day. I now have an app for my phone, which works great. It woke me last night at 2:30 to warn me of a wind advisory. Of course, I was awake until 4:00, but at least I got to read more of my new book (Gone Girl) and will, hopefully, take a nap this afternoon. Thank goodness for 3-day weekends!

    Maudeen - When we first moved to Lincoln, I was terrified of tornadoes. And I used to put on a bike helmet whenever we went to the basement. I could probably still do that, but I have my motorcycle helmet down there and it's quite a bit sturdier. May have to remember to grab it next time the sirens go off! ;)

    Trish - I like Little Giant well enough. It's entertaining, but it's not calling to me as much as other books have (like The Homecoming of Samuel Lake). It's picked up a bit since I've gotten further into it and I'm looking forward to listen tomorrow at work before we open. That's generally when I listen to my audio books. Sometimes at home, but not regularly.

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  10. It's actually not a bad idea wearing a helmet in a tornado warning!!! LOL

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