Tsunami Warning

Here in Brookings and along all of the Oregon and Northern California coastline a tsunami warning was in effect until after nine p.m. last evening. Whenever a strong and dangerous earthquake happens, even four thousand miles away, the chances of a tsunami is great. It is something we live with, like those who live in areas where there is potential for strong earthquakes or dangerous hurricanes and tornadoes. No matter where we live there is some one event that could happen and change our lives. I have been reading a book called "The Raging Sea", my timing is terrible, it is a powerful account of the worst tsunami in U. S. history that happened only twenty seven miles from Brookings, in the city of Crescent City in 1964. It is a gripping story of nature on a rampage and I learned more about what a real tsunami is, as to what I thought it was. It is not one big huge wave that comes in, but many waves that build and have the power to destroy and does. So it was not comfortable sitting watching television last evening with the thought of a tsunami warning hovering about. We didn't have to worry though, as the experts gave us fair warning that it was not going to be much more than a foot or so difference in the tides. Pat wondered if we should head for high ground. I wondered if I should be sitting in my bathing suit prepared for a dip in the ocean. If a tsunami was to happen here in Brookings, we are sitting high on a cliff, but then depending on the height of the waves, maybe the cliff is not tall enough; but then as I muse, the what ifs and maybes could drive you crazy as there is little you can do to prepare yourself for a natural disaster. You can prepare a survival kit but that could be washed away. You could head for high ground if you could get through the crowds going in the same direction. It made me think back when my friend and I were living in Springfield, Virginia and the news was about a possible event that would have us joining the crowds of people on the road to evacuate the area and we thought how foolish it would be to go sit in your car, bumper to bumper, going nowhere in a hurry when you could stay right there at home, sitting in your comfortable chair with a tall cool drink in your hand and a snack or two. We agreed we would stay put and take our chances, and of course it never happened. Life is filled with what ifs so we might as well relax and take one day as it comes. My heart and prayers go out to the people in the Samoan Islands today who are fighting for survival. Help is on the way according to the news this morning.

As for my pictures today, they are showing the Chetco river that runs into the sea, and according to the story I am reading, it is like a magnet for a tsunami, as are all those channels and undersea caverns. After a huge storm the beaches are filled with driftwood, the size of some trees you would not believe. If a tsunami were to come it is ammunition for destruction as the lifeless trees take on like battering rams and create havoc as they destroy everything in their path.

So, as you go about your business today, know that each moment of every day is precious. Live your life today in faith, hope and charity and catch up on some of those classes that teach you how to survive in a natural disaster. . . natural???? um....