Another Day in Paradise

A severe weather bulletin before leaving this morning about fast moving thunderboomers heading our way attracted my attention, but the sky was only a bit hazy when I hit the road. However, when I looked into the rearview mirror as I headed south, the northern sky was menacing, almost black. The storms were still pretty far north, so I made a scheduled stop at the pharmacy to pick up a prescription and a few items before going in to work.

As I headed to the check out, a storm of intense ferocity hit the area that caused the building to shake as the rain, wind, hale, lightening and thunder rolled through with the roar of a 747 jet.

Genius that I am, I took precautions by bringing along an umbrella, rain slicker, and hat. Unfortunately, they were in the car when the storm blew in.

So I meandered around the drug store for about a half hour - not having meandered in years - discovering things that I had no idea would be on the shelves of a drug store. When there was a slack in the rain I made a run for the car - big mistake - the rain decided to increase as I was dashing through the parking lot. I got soaked to the skin

I lead a charmed life, no?

Making my way to the park-n-ride for the bus into town I observed the most bizarre lightening strike very close by. Unlike usual strikes this one remained virtually still - from clouds to ground - for seconds. It felt as though time stood still. And as soon as it retreated, the following thunder actually shook the car, rattling loose items in the glove box. Scary!!! This strike was VERY close. It was (I pray) a once in a lifetime visual event. I love thunderstorms, but only when I am in a safe place and can watch the action through a window. I would not enjoy viewing this storm again.

I learned later in the day that the strike hit a home in an upscale neighborhood and the house burned to the ground. Thank G*d, no one was home at the time. Yes, this is a very small town...

Meanwhile at job #2, A very handsome Russian guy looking for summer work came in with his girlfriend to collect an application, looked at me and said, "do you know you have beautiful eyes, you should not be sad" he then gave me the biggest bear hug I have ever had. His girlfriend smiled, then hugged me, too. They were probably in their 30s - I am old enough to be their father. OK, I survived.

Following my after-shift cocktail I caught the bus back to the car park wondering if I had an apartment to return to, and suddenly thought what a relief it would be if there was nothing. Seriously. I don't care about 'things' anymore. I have only held on to pieces of art that make me happy and a few of my own photographs; music CDs, but not many, and DVDs I will watch over and over until I die.

A blank slate would be nice. I need a different life.

And so it goes.