With the recent weather we have had here in Missouri, it reminded me of a series of tornados we had in 1966. My dad was fascinated with weather and we would often watch lightening from our front porch and marvel in its beauty. Dad would warn us about the dangers of being out in the weather, all while we were "out in the weather."
One time we were getting softball sized hail and dad took Tammi and me out to watch it. The hail came down hard but slow, only a few per minute. I convinced Tammi to run out and get one and she got clobbered but good on the head by one of the hailstones. My dad scolded her but let her keep the hailstone wrapped in plastic. I think my mom just got rid of it a few months ago.
Another time dad and I watched a tornado form and touch down just a few blocks from us. We saw it hit a tree and I remember dad yelling... Get downstairs! I remember trying to get the door open to the cellar and dad had to do it. We could hear what sounded like a freight train. I remember dad being right behind me and pulling the door down and latching it. Mom yelled at dad for having me out in the storm but dad just laughed. It was a close call but we didn't tell mom how close.
There were other tornados and wild windy storms but I don't remember dad letting us do much after that tornado. I think it scared him as much as it did mom!
Your Dad sounds like the adventurous type.
ReplyDeleteI was at the wedding of a very good friend who was marrying a meteorologist. As it would happen there was a huge summer storm that day. All of his meteorolgist buddies were at the window oo-ing and ah-ing at the storm while we should have been headed to the reception. We still laugh about that 20 + years later.
Stay safe, Terri and Bob!
Becky K.
I love being in the weather, got it from MY grandpa...we once watched a tornado from the front porch and my grandma in the background screaming "Dwight you get that baby in here right now!" That baby was 8 years old and I worshipped Daddy Dwight with my heart in my eyes all his life...how amazing that Walt Disney is from your hometown...another man I admired greatly. LOL and my sister Toni is a teacher...we have so much in common!
ReplyDeleteI one that hides my head in storms...I don't understand people like my son in law who loves to "weather watch"...ya'll are just dare devils...lol!☺
ReplyDeleteYou sound like me - I have so many wonderful stories about my DAD!! Those are just the greatest!! I have never been afraid of weather, but I have never been in anything major - we have had some pretty good rains here in Shreveport lately, the schools were even closed today - like 10 inches in 12 hours!! But the sun is out now - so maybe we will dry up soon!!
ReplyDeleteBless you Terri....
I think I would like your dad! LOL What wonderful memories for you!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
God bless.
Terri
Hi Terri! I have never even come close to being near a tornado and I don't ever want to!
ReplyDeleteThat is a really neat sign...
Hugs,
Robin
I don't know if I am laughing more at you talking your sister into dodging softball sized hail to grab a souvenir OR thinking of your mom yelling at your dad about keeping you out near that storm a bit too long. Those sound just like some of the things we did as kids...but we did not have a storm cellar...we would just hop in the bathtub and cover our heads...or pile into the hall closet and take our pillows and blankets with us...but that was only after we sat on the front porch and waited and watched till the last minute...while mom was scurrying and hurrying inside preparing our shelter....memories...
ReplyDeleteActually, my husband and kids also dodged a few "hail" balls themselves while here at home...much to my disapproval...I guess once you become a mom...you forget how to be as adventurous as you were as a kid...or you actually have things to worry about.
Loved the trip down both of our "memory" lanes...thanks for sharing!
Blessings...
Teresa
I've lived through two scary tornados. The first one was in (I believe) 1976 in Sedalia. I was in the 1st grade and at school. Luckily, mom was teaching down the hall, so I got to join her class.
ReplyDeleteWe had to wait at school with one of her students long after everyone else had gone home.
They couldn't find this student's mother, and their house had been demolished. Scary stuff!
Just checking in with you, hope you are well and the weather is under control...we got nearly 1 1/2 inches of well needed rain last evening...I'm so happppppyyyy...
ReplyDeletehugs
Sandi
Good morning, Terri! I love Missouri! Wouldn't want to live anywhere else. I remember watching storms as a child. We absolutely love watching them at the lake. It's a whole different feeling.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed this post so much!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Pat
It always seems like the guys stay outside to see the weather while the mom's and kids hunker in the shelter. I remember my boys and I collecting hail stones, but smaller ones about a quarter in diameter. They always have such interesting designs in them. We'd put them in the freezer for a long time. I am glad you are safe these days. Have a wonderful weekend. Are you out for the summer, yet?
ReplyDeleteAlexandra
What a fabulous connection to Walt Disney and the storm watching is right up my alley. I'd rather be outside looking at the clouds then sitting inside wondering if a tornado is on it's way. We just had 11 in Macon about 30 minutes up the road - not all that common here in GA.
ReplyDeleteHave a fabulous weekend.
Blessings,
Sandy :)
Just checking in to see if you are okay and hoping you're having a wonderful Sunday!
ReplyDeletehugs
Sandi
Weather fascinates me. It can brings such joy and happiness and also create terror and sadness.
ReplyDeleteYour dad sounds like a loveable character.
Hugs!
Kat