Thunderstorms

Dear Sweet Jesus!

We had one unbelievable thunderstorm last night. In 10 years in Richmond, it was the worst I have ever seen. It seemed worse than Hurricane Isobel, who dumped rain and blew gales all across Virginia. And it seemed worse than Hurricane Floyd, who drowned the town of Franklin, where I lived at the time. Statistically, I'm sure it won't compare in any way to those two, since it was not caused by a Hurricane. But as to how it FELT, well, I was scared out of my head. Lightning filling every room, the loudest thunder claps I have ever heard, wind, wind, wind, and flash flood warnings.

I'm scared of thunderstorms anyway; remembering the stern warnings from my mother to stay away from windows and remembering the cascade of lightning across the mountains where we live, visible through my parents' picture window. I think my eldest brother actually likes thunderstorms (as I know many do). But for me, it was always a reminder that Nature can be harsh, and cannot be controlled. I can see why the Ancients thought that God was doing battle when they heard a thunder clap. We had some last night that made me jump out of my skin!

Bean is recovering at her parents' house, so I was alone in the house. The power kept flickering, the cats got bushy tails and scared, saucer-eyes, and ran under the beds. I think they had the right idea. After cleaning up some water that had come in (sideways rain, maybe, or maybe running off of a full gutter) from a window in my living room (Mr. HA was safe! Thank Goodness.), I took little Maverick (the grey kitten) in to Bean's room to try to watch TV to wind down. Since the storm was in a reprieve, I was able to watch maybe a half hour before it started up again. I mean, this was an 8 hour storm, easily!

So I made sure all electricals were unplugged, Leia and Bubbs were asleep in their respective beds, and I lay there with Mav for a while. He is so cute; I think he got confused and thought I was Bean (since we were in her room, and her scent was in there), because he lay up next to me (and on me, at points) and purred his head off all night. I slept with him until about 4 AM, then I went back to my own room. I must say, he was a great comfort to somebody afraid of all of the lightning and thunder. There's nothing like a little sweet, soft, furry kitten purring in your ear to calm you down. :)

So, this morning, I checked around to make sure the house was still standing, and the living room was not flooded. All was ok. But the way the house shook last night, it wouldn't have surprised me to see some damage. Tree limbs in the yard! But, otherwise, all seemed fine. Kitties came out from hiding and seemed like their old selves. I secretly kissed Mav and thanked him for calming me the night before. Of course, if I had a sweet, soft, furry husband, I'd feel 100% better during storms, and I myself might be the one purring. haha

Have a great weekend...and remember: When Zeus wants to kick some other God's ass, he will, and you'll hear it. ha