Story time:
When I was a senior in high school a tornado (eh, "straight-lined wind") hit my hometown of Vegas. Las, you ask? Nah, Starkville. It was senior skip day, so no seniors were at the school,
which in hindsight was actually a good thing - the school's roof blew off. So there I was crusing around town in my sister's 1988 white mazda 626 ("Driving bad, old cars will give you character. You will thank me later" - Daddy) when the storm hit. I couldn't see 2 feet in front of me. White sheet was all that was in my view. When I heard the crash of a tree falling directly in front of my car, I suddenly remembered what I had learned: When in a car during a tornado, get in the lowest point, a ditch, per say. Well, in my current state of mind, that seemed a little ridiculous, so I opened my car door (which blew off) and took off running. Literally. It was like a scene from Wizard of Oz, only there were no munchkins. (thank goodness) So I ran and ran until I found a house that I recognized and started banging on the door. I was safe, but still away from my fam. I believe this incident only escallated my fear of bad weather.
Fast forward 5 years: Katrina. Never before had hurricanes really bothered me. I mean, last
time the Oktibbeha County Lake was affected by flooding waters I was just a small tot, so really this natural disaster has never been a concern of mine...until this happened: I married a coast man and he moved me to south mississippi - land o'hurricanes.
When I was a senior in high school a tornado (eh, "straight-lined wind") hit my hometown of Vegas. Las, you ask? Nah, Starkville. It was senior skip day, so no seniors were at the school,
which in hindsight was actually a good thing - the school's roof blew off. So there I was crusing around town in my sister's 1988 white mazda 626 ("Driving bad, old cars will give you character. You will thank me later" - Daddy) when the storm hit. I couldn't see 2 feet in front of me. White sheet was all that was in my view. When I heard the crash of a tree falling directly in front of my car, I suddenly remembered what I had learned: When in a car during a tornado, get in the lowest point, a ditch, per say. Well, in my current state of mind, that seemed a little ridiculous, so I opened my car door (which blew off) and took off running. Literally. It was like a scene from Wizard of Oz, only there were no munchkins. (thank goodness) So I ran and ran until I found a house that I recognized and started banging on the door. I was safe, but still away from my fam. I believe this incident only escallated my fear of bad weather.Fast forward 5 years: Katrina. Never before had hurricanes really bothered me. I mean, last
time the Oktibbeha County Lake was affected by flooding waters I was just a small tot, so really this natural disaster has never been a concern of mine...until this happened: I married a coast man and he moved me to south mississippi - land o'hurricanes.Ever since hurricane season started in June, I have been on gaurd. Toilet paper in bulk? CHECK. Canned foods? CHECK. non-electric can-opener? CHECK. Flashlight, batteries, dog food? CHECK, CHECK, CHECK. Bottles of H2O? Still trying to talk Trey in letting me buy such a non-green item. Anyway, you get my point. It doesn't even really matter if I have all that stuff - one sign of tropical weather in the gulf and I am loading Sophie up and heading to Starkville. I have no interest in "riding out a hurricane" or having a "hurricane patry". Party? Really? Please: Don't invite me. I will not come. My daddy didn't raise no fool. Besides, by the time the system enters the Gulf I will be 1/2 way down HWY 49 heading north. I will be out of reach.
Well now Dean has entered the picture. "But Heather, that is in Jamiaca, you live in Hattiesburg", you may be saying.
Don't you think I know that? BUT, I am not stupid and I will not be played a fool. NO chances will be made on my part. I already have my bags packed in the case that it is predicted to make land-fall somewhere on the gulf coast. I feel like I am an expecting mother waiting for her water to break to head to the hospital: I am just on pins and needles. When I see water in the future, I am taking my bags and heading north. Trey thinks this is crazy of me and states that a hurricane that will devestate Hattiesburg is a rare occasion and that Katrina was an exception.
I DON'T CARE.
Mom: Keep a watch out on the weather, If Dean comes in the gulf - I am coming your way. Please have a key lime pie waiting.
I DON'T CARE.
Mom: Keep a watch out on the weather, If Dean comes in the gulf - I am coming your way. Please have a key lime pie waiting.
10 comments:
You're a nut!
One of Gee's (Ginger's) favorite things about you was that you would call your mom in the morning before getting dressed to get a weather report. Do you still do this? :)
I live closer (a lot closer) to the water and I haven't started preparing yet!
1. i don't appreciate you talking about my car (dante) like that. may he r.i.p. plus, i don't think you WERE driving it that day were you? i think you were in the corolla. anywho...i'm glad the tree didn't hit my car.
2. when you have children, will you keep them home from school on rainy days just so you won't have to get out in it?
Heather,
Your key lime pie is already in the refrigerator waiting for you! However, should Dean NOT make landfall, I'm afraid your Daddy will have to eat the pie for you.
Love,
Mom
Hey Heather,
I'm not sure how I stumbled upon your blog, but it and others occupy the remaining time during my day when I don't have enough work to keep me busy.
You're post are so funny, and I enjoy hearing your stories of both Starkville and Hattiesburg, since my parents have moved there to open up the restaurants.
The one thing I remember about the "straight line winds" is having to assist my dad and brother in removing the 6 cypress trees atop his Ford Ranger truck parked next to the tennis courts at SA.
Jessica Callahan Nichols
Lura, yes i was driving donte that day...i was taking it to wal-mart for an oil change like a good sister. Don't question my memory...it is one of an elephants.
I don't blame you for leaving. Way back when, I went through Hurricane Andrew in Miami and we lost everything. Really. Scariness.
Hope y'all stay safe.
Trace~
RBFs at Bops??? Here I come! Thanks for the tip!!
Caleb had flown in to Lafayette to visit me the weekend Katrina hit. While I was at the station, I asked him to go get supplies. At that point we were really worried all the bottled water would be gone.
But we underestimated those crazy cajun.
There were two full aisles of bottled water, but the BEER AISLE WAS COMPLETELY EMPTY.
Hilarious...I remember that day too. And I remember your story about the tree while you were driving! Luckily, I was spending my senior skip day under the stairs at home because Mike Kraker is MR. Safety.
OK, the day of the straight-line winds I was in a car going to pick up "refreshments" for me, a friend, and our dates for a DG party we were supposed to have that night. We wanted to be prepared in case the party still happened...what? Stoplights were flying at our cars, but we didn't want to be without cold drinks. Nice.
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