Friday, May 9

Time To Lose The Pearls

The wind got up and the clouds formed. As I was cooking dinner JB had a beer and began sharing his weather forecast.

I can now do my own forecast based on the cloud formations, thanks to Dr. Biology. Before we studied meteorology last semester, I relied on the aching in my left shoulder or the soreness in my wrists to inform me of changing weather patterns.

But after living smack dab in the middle of tornado alley in West Texas for a hundred years, a tornado watch doesn't get me very excited. I've had my fair share of inclement weather.

There was a time that a tornado watch or warning meant being prepared--gathering the kids, pillows, and battery operated radio--and heading for the innermost room of the house. That would be the bathroom.

We'd make a party of it. While they gathered their books and a favorite toy or two, I'd grab a flashlight and the battery-operated radio. By the time they had climbed into the bathtub amidst a pile of pillows and blankets, I'd have pored myself a glass of wine and donned my pearls.

I always figured if I was going out, I was going out wearing my pearls. And the wine? It certainly couldn't hurt.

I've shared this tale more than a few times, much to the amusement of family and friends. And last night, when JB suggested it was an evening for wine and pearls, I suddenly looked at the entire scenario with new eyes.

The pearls are still there where I left them. They're taking a breather--a deserved rest-- in a red velvet box with a white satin lining.

I'm just glad I don't need them anymore.

6 comments:

nobody's fool said...

My left knee or my right-hand pinky finger help me tell the weather lately. But honestly, I'd really rather not have body parts assist with that.

I love the going out wearing pearls.

Kathy Rogers said...

Well, you got up and posted this morning, so it looks like you were right!

Anonymous said...

I love the way you think!

Anonymous said...

Certainly puts worrying about the pollen count or whether to take an umbrella to work or not into perspective. We're pretty useless at forecasting the weather around here, though probably better than the BBC, who once infamously predicted light showers prior to London's only recent, full-scale gale And I do mean a structural damage, big trees torn up by the roots, everyone-stay- indoors type of gale. They've never lived that one down.

Unknown said...

That is a great story. I want to do something like that if I think the ship is going down!

linda said...

I often wonder at how people live in areas that have tornados. We see them on television and the mess they leave behind and it just astonishes me. Almost like a war zone after the event.

It does seem that you have that feeling in your bones when it comes to the weather.