(re-run) If you live in California, this is the time of year that you pray for rain. With no precipitation since May, the hills are bone dry, so brown they are white. I hiked the hills yesterday. Not one green sprout of anything could be found anywhere. The trees are green, but that is all.… Continue reading Let it Rain
Category: earthquake
The Flying Hammer and the Cleaning Lady
(re-run) Many moons ago, when I was the mother of three young children, my husband (now ex) said, “Let’s remodel the kitchen.” I stupidly agreed, not realizing that I would be the one to suffer through six weeks of no kitchen sink and six weeks of feeding my family with no way to cook anything… Continue reading The Flying Hammer and the Cleaning Lady
Another Tree Bites the Dust
Last week I said to a neighbor as we stood in the green belt, “I wish I could pick up this pine tree and move it away from my house.” Guess what? Today the wind gusts of 60 mph did just that. But instead of moving it, the winds snapped it off at the base.… Continue reading Another Tree Bites the Dust
Let it Rain
If you live in California, this is the time of year that you pray for rain. With no precipitation since May, the hills are bone dry, so brown they are white. I hiked the hills yesterday. Not one green sprout of anything could be found anywhere. The trees are green, but that is all. When… Continue reading Let it Rain
Wake-up Call
The 30th anniversary of the big quake (and my first quake) is tomorrow. It was 6.9 on the Richter Scale, the Loma Prieta earthquake, centered near Santa Cruz. The floor started rolling, and there was noise and lights swinging. It lasted for 15 long seconds. By the time I grabbed the baby and found the… Continue reading Wake-up Call
The Flying Hammer and the Cleaning Lady
Many moons ago, when I was the mother of three young children, my husband (now ex) said, “Let’s remodel the kitchen. I stupidly agreed, not realizing that I would be the one to suffer through six weeks of no kitchen sink and six weeks of feeding my family with no way to cook anything except… Continue reading The Flying Hammer and the Cleaning Lady
Shake, Rattle and Roll
Twenty earthquakes happened under my town yesterday. The biggest one was under the posh community of Diablo, three miles from here. They are calling it a swarm of quakes. The quakes are just big enough to get your attention or wake you from your slumber. The dogs don’t like them. The tremors are noisy, as… Continue reading Shake, Rattle and Roll
An Ode to the West Coast
Earthquakes, fires, and mudslides aside, California is an awesome state. You’ve lived at both ends, and it is like leaving one country and entering another. San Diego is warm, sunny, and filled with swaying palm trees. You were only there for 18 months, long enough to visit every beach and experience every tourist attraction. You… Continue reading An Ode to the West Coast
Worst Quake Ever
1989 — We’d been in California for almost four years, two Midwestern transplants with a split-level house and two babies. It was our daughter’s third birthday, so Hubby took the day off, and we went to the Oakland zoo. The birthday party with playmates would be the next day. After as much fun as anyone… Continue reading Worst Quake Ever
