My weather education

When I moved to the South, I knew I was in for a change. They speak a different language here, live a different pace, and have wildly different social and cultural beliefs. These are things I knew. What nobody told me about was the weather. OMG, the weather. The first time I heard a tornado siren go off, it woke me up out of a dead sleep the night before an exam. My roommates were not in town, and I was alone. I dragged 2 cats and a dog into the bathroom and sat there for at least an hour while straight-line winds and rain rattled the house. This past Friday, we were pulled OUT OF CLASS to evacuate to the basement. That was only the first of 4 tornado warnings that day. (P.S. A watch does not mean a warning - a watch means it might happen, but a warning means the sirens are going off and you better take cover.) And now today:

This is the shit that just passed us (and it's only the tiniest piece of what's been going on since 4am). It included ridiculous-sized hail, flash floods, and tornado warnings. Awesomeness. I really do hate this weather. What's amazing is that my dog really doesn't seem to mind the weather. We had a FLASH of lightning accompanied by some thunder that sounded like it was IN the bedroom, and she didn't even flinch. What she does mind is the tornado sirens. But at least she understands that she's supposed to seek shelter when they're blaring.

I have a feeling that she would cover her ears if she were able. Doesn't that look just say, "Make it stop!" If only, Ariel, if only. I'm getting tired of the whole business as well. We will be home in 2 weeks, just in time to catch the beginning of New England summer and hit the beach before the tourists get there. Perfect.