[waves]

Did anyone here grow up in hurricane territory?

As a child (under 10), did you recognize the danger/feel scared of hurricanes?

I was born and grew up with seasonal hurricane threat. I'm not sure when exactly I started being aware... by age five I was for sure. And here's the thing......

I got an immense kick out of hurricane season. I revelled in the marking of maps, the hoarding of supplies, the herding of cats, the boarding of windows........ (the stuff we panic over, and with good reason).

The adults' panic never infected me. Even when I was old enough to understand that these storms could do damage, had seen pictures of the devastation, all I felt was awe and excitement. And when, as usual, they veered away, I was disappointed.

Anybody else? How crazy is that, or not so much?


Just as a footnote.... I never had the same kind of sympathetic bone for tornadoes. Those terrified me from the first day I learned what one was.

waves

[Mari]

Did anyone here grow up in hurricane territory?

There were two times we were a little bit inland.


This one we were a little bit inland (25 miles )but not by much.

As a child (under 10), did you recognize the danger/feel scared of hurricanes?

Absolutely.

I got an immense kick out of hurricane season. I revelled in the marking of maps, the hoarding of supplies, the herding of cats, the boarding of windows........ (the stuff we panic over, and with good reason).

There is a psychological thing at play and I would not be able to find it.
But something about our feelings being intense.

Also, we were out of school or expected to be out of school.
And our rhythms were disrupted.

And when, as usual, they veered away,

Not so much.
I prefer that we are left with peace after the storm goes away/ weakens.

But I can understand your feelings. I think the anticipation and the energy of everyone else increases our own.

About 7 or 8 years ago, I was on the phone when THE EYE of a weak-ish storm (cat 2) passed over our heads. We were still on the floor in case the glass windows were to shatter later but mostly felt that the storm was mostly a miss for us.

M

[waves]

Originally Posted by Mari

There were two times we were a little bit inland.

We had the same run-ins... or close.

The first one... we got its tail and it was plenty: Trees down, power out, water out, road hazards, flooding -- stray cat stranded in the dilly tree above the lake that was our yard. During the storm, dad went for a walk to "check the neighborhood". I got scared for him, and tried to go call to him, got 10 steps from the house before a gust picked me up and hurled me against the shed. I retreated indoors, fearing for my dad's life but also rather keen to hang onto my own. I don't know how he came back alive honestly. I didn't weigh much less than him. He retunred unperturbed. Perhaps I inherited something from him? But even then, with all my fascination for the weather, I thought he was insane/idiotic to go out in it... and wa a little angry with him. (By that time I was still fascinated but tamer, too. When I was little I'd get ridiculously excited. Perhaps it's not so strange... I supposee reactions to different things can vary.)

This one we were a little bit inland (25 miles )but not by much (nearish Va Beach).

That one was a really close call for us... as in we were completely boarded up for that one. I was little, and I was over the moooon with excitement! It veered, fortunately, considering that we lived in a house that shook when the cats ran about. I remember being disappointed and my mother trying to persuade me that it was a good thing.

Absolutely. Both parents grew up on an island.

Funny being on an island would be a reason for being scared. I was in fact on an island. Parents though. Hmmm. My parents did not grow up anywhere near hurricanes. Now my mother was riotously wound up whenever one of those things got close. I don't remember my dad's overall state. I don't remember him freaking. He might have been all don't worry be happy -- it's a frequent mode of his so it might not have stood out for me to remember it, but given he saw fit to go for walkies in a cat 5, perhaps he had curiosity that showed in other ways, and perhaps it rubbed off on me when I was small and engendered that intense fascination.

There is a psychological thing at play and I would not be able to find it.
But something about our feelings being intense.

Also, we were out of school or expected to be out of school.
And our rhythms were disrupted.

Perhaps that intense feelings can morph, but I'd think something has to influence how they morph. I don't know either.

Hurricanes mostly overlapped with vacation for me... so a storm would not have disrupted school.

I prefer that we are left with peace after the storm goes away/ weakens.

Your usee of the present suggests to me you feel the same way about them as you always did. I ... don't. I mean... I acquired the typical seense of "oh no" as an adult that was simply absent as a child, even though I was aware and respectful of the dangers. I don't think I have actual fear though, even now. Not with an "ordinary" storm and safe construction.

About 7 or 8 years ago, I was on the phone when THE EYE of a weak-ish storm (cat 2) passed over our heads. We were still on the floor in case the glass windows were to shatter but mostly felt that the storm was mostly a miss for us.

Yikes, yeah that can do damage. I guess I'm a bit confused why the windows weren't protected... unless it changed course suddenly....

[Brokenfriend]

I enjoyed lightning storms before I was a teenager with my neighbor who became a scientist,and storm chaser.

When I became interested in Scanner radios,and short wave radio,I worry about those antennas being struck by lightening. I even have two antennas on the back of my car for listening to a scanner,and short wave radio at the same time. I have a third antenna for AM,and FM music.

I know. It sounds strange. BF

[Mari]

Originally Posted by Brokenfriend

I enjoyed lightning storms before I was a teenager with my neighbor who became a scientist,and storm chaser.

Oh, yeah. Steve.

I can see that. . . . especially if you had a scientific neighbor.

(I think I hate loud storms more now than I did when I was younger. I am more sensitive to sound.)

Yes. I understand about equipment concerns.
Right now you have what you need and the antennas are working for you.
I hope that that continues.

M

[Theta Z]

Originally Posted by Mari

Oh, yeah. Steve.

I can see that. . . . especially if you had a scientific neighbor.

(I think I hate loud storms more now than I did when I was younger. I am more sensitive to sound.)

Yes. I understand about equipment concerns.
Right now you have what you need and the antennas are working for you.
I hope that that continues.

M

I noted that last year, Mari, that there was a totally different quality to some thunderstorms. About this time of year on the best coast.

It was almost unnatural, just how big, how booming, how loud, shaking the house, feeling the vibrations in my very body of of the intense crack and rolling boom, like artillery or bombs.

It was one of the two most terrifying thunderstorms of my life.
I was all alone and seriously ill with cellulitis for that one. No one to call.
Scary as he**._

The other was decades ago in the Black Hills of North Dakota ... Camping no less! We prayed aloud and fervently through that one!
It was the sweetest most peaceful, calm, quiet morning/day following that, with lots of folks coming together to help, assist, share dry clothing, food, etc.
My friend and I drove to town to a fave thrift store to buy warm clothing, mittens, socks, boots, hats, etc for the little kids in camp.

A good storm can bring out such an instant authentic sense of community, naturally working together for the greater good.

Or in my case last year, the frightening realization of just how alone and vulnerable we can become.
I've lost my fearlessness, I'm sorry to say.
I am no longer the intrepid younger woman I was.

They tell me out here that the NW coast doesn't get thunderstorms. Odd.

[Brokenfriend]

I've noticed the BOOMINGsound in the Spring thunderstorms in the last several years.

We had black clouds all over the place on Thursday afternoon. I experienced four thunderstorms.

I have antennas on top of the house,and the antennas,and radios are grounded with several deep ground rods. I have a couple of big copper wires coming into the radio room from the ground rods that have been driven into the ground.

I have one radio's outside antenna plugged into the scanner right now,but I'm going to unplug,and secure the antenna end into a glass mason jar that is filled with rubber,and has a ground wire right over the mason jar. Any lightning theoretically will follow the copper into the ground. I do this to often. To much information. Sorry BF

[Mari]

Originally Posted by Theta Z

I
A good storm can bring out such an instant authentic sense of community, naturally working together for the greater good.

Or in my case last year, the frightening realization of just how alone and vulnerable we can become.
I've lost my fearlessness, I'm sorry to say.
I am no longer the intrepid younger woman I was.

They tell me out here that the NW coast doesn't get thunderstorms. Odd.

Hi,Theta,

Sometimes the thunderstorms change the air in a good way.
Black Hills?! That must be amazing!

We ARE alone. Sometimes I can trust Nature.
It does its thing and then goes on to its other thing.
Of course, it helps to be safe and secure when it is doing its most to get our attention.

M

[Mari]

Waves,

I am doing laundry and delaying packing.

During the storm, dad went for a walk to "check the neighborhood".

it's a frequent mode of his so it might not have stood out for me to remember it, but given he saw fit to go for walkies in a cat 5, perhaps he had curiosity that showed in other ways, and perhaps it rubbed off on me when I was small and engendered that intense fascination.

He sounds like a fun guy.



==========


My parents and brother lived in an area that got hit hard by this one:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Bob
My brother had his own place but lost electricity after the storm for about two weeks. My mother was exasperated after a while when he was coming back and forth to use their hot shower.
My father spoke about going out in the eye, saying hello to his neighbor who had also come out, and then going back in.
(Remember that the eye is the calm part.)

======
Going out in the worst of the storm . . . ..that reminds me of one:

I evacuated inland because the house I lived in was within the evacuation zone by a block.
Apparently my roommates stayed behind for a hurricane party (lots of friends and booze). Later one roommate told me about the one crazy guy who tried to go out even though they tried to stop him. He may have gotten a few steps out into the yard.


BTW, afterwards the area was under a state of emergency.
Two guy friends of mine at the time were dealing with the courts.
One had restricted driving rights because of a DUI another one had to go to court for suspended license or something. The hurricane hit the same day as his court date to straighten out his license.
Until the court system got back up a few weeks later and caught up with its backlog, one was driving w/ a suspended license and the other (DUI guy) was driving with no restrictions.


This one is about smell and memory

http://health.howstuffworks.com/ment...ion/smell3.htm

http://www.slate.com/articles/life/f...ou_think_.html

Think of memory as like orzo, Bauer says. “It’s not like one big piece of lasagna noodle. Memories are made up of these little tiny bits of information that are coming in literally across the entire cortex. Parts of the brain are taking those little bits of information and knitting them together into something that’s going to endure and be a memory.” Adults have a fine-mesh net to catch the orzo. Babies have a big-holed colander: The orzo slips through. “What’s happening with the baby is that a lot of the information is escaping even as the baby is trying to get it organized and stabilized.” In early infancy, a lot of experiences never become memories—they slip away before they can be preserved.

I cannot find what I want -- an article about either teenage years or twenties and why we can remember them so clearly.


[QUOTE=waves;1077267]We had the same run-ins... or close.

That one was a really close call for us... as in we were completely boarded up for that one. I was little, and I was over the moooon with excitement! It veered, fortunately, considering that we lived in a house that shook when the cats ran about. I remember being disappointed and my mother trying to persuade me that it was a good thing.

Yeah. There were lots of storms that we prepared for that did not even come near.

Funny being on an island would be a reason for being scared.

Dad was always gone (with work) for our storms and Mom was on her own with us.
I do not think she was scared. I think she liked to be prepared.

ow my mother was riotously wound up whenever one of those things got close.

Poor woman.

Hurricanes mostly overlapped with vacation for me... so a storm would not have disrupted school.

We had one hit at the end of the summer and the first day of school. For years, people were superstitious about something -- not sure what.

Your usee of the present suggests to me you feel the same way about them as you always did.

I use hopeful language when I talk about weather.
I do not want to send it away to someone else. I ask that it veer out to see where no one is around or at least not inconvenienced much.

I acquired the typical seense of "oh no" as an adult that was simply absent as a child, even though I was aware and respectful of the dangers.

I do not know if my perceptions have changed. I cannot remember sh.

I don't think I have actual fear though, even now. Not with an "ordinary" storm and safe construction.

Right. I understand that.

Yikes, yeah that can do damage. I guess I'm a bit confused why the windows weren't protected... unless it changed course suddenly....

Hurricane Wilma: First floor apt. No shutters. Landlords stink. . . . . no inside rooms. Hallway would have been better than nothing but it was too small. The living room felt like the best place to sleep because the windows were a few feet away -- not like bed and windows in a tiny bedroom.
That storm was in the process of breaking up. Even though we were technically in the eye (the calm center) . . . .

That is the time I either made a call or got a call from my mom.
I am going to try again.

. . . . . Thinking too fast and too much to type:
The first half of the storm came by and we got the eye. But there was no second half of the storm.

What seemed like a relatively weak storm in some ways wreaked havoc because many had no power. I / We (Hubby was with me) was without electricity for 8 days. Work was back up before I was and what a hassle that was -- to get dressed with no laundry, no iron, . . . no way to prepare food,.. . .working out of a cooler, . . .
We were lucky that i lived near a CHinese restaurant that got up one day later because it had gas grills or something.
I took two huge containers of special friend rice to my friends' house to trade for ice. (They were on generator power.)

The secretary at my old pdoc's used to say something to me when I was leaving the office like, "Take care and have a quiet sumer." I would say, "You too."


It is strange but each storm has a personality --- even the ones that do not come.

And we remember who was with us when it hit, who we were dealing with later in the aftermath.

Hubby, who was very close to/in the the middle of the one of the huge-est (technical word)hurricanes, is unfazed by the storms.
I think he does not have a healthy respect.
But we did make alterations to the place we have now (roof, windows,. . .) so maybe he is merely practical in his attitude.

M