Fall is definitely here and the weather is making radical changes each day. The cool weather inspires me to write. I may have mentioned that since I live alone I could only afford living in a small trailer. It is comfortable in many ways but has its disadvantages. Night before last we had tornado warnings, strong winds and hail the size of a quarter. It covered the ground until it was white. The noise on the tin roof was deafening and then the wind shifted direction and the hail began hitting the back door and side of the house. It was like being inside a popcorn popper. The storm lasted for over 2 hours. It would intermittently slow down and the hail would stop. It would come back again just as loud as before.

 I began getting sleepy, got my dog and slept in the closet for an hour or so.  I woke up and the storm had passed. We got back to the bed and crashed fast asleep. I have been in many storms in Oklahoma. The fear never goes away especially when there is hail. Hail is commonly associated with tornadoes. Fear of storms is a kind of fear that needs to be harnessed. The noise of the hail, winds and rain can work you into frenzy. If you panic during a storm you are in for a nightmare. At its best you think about a safety plan, take deep breathes and wonder if you should take cover or ride it out.

 The next morning I took a look at the damages. There were none to my trailer however the stockade fence around the park was leveled by straight winds and branches were all over the place. It is not faith that helps you withstand a storm. The storm will either be destructive or it won’t be. It is a close call when ever you get hail. It is an angry sound that makes one think the creator is expressing displeasure with our actions. I suppose there is reason for him to be angry. I am thankful I have harnessed my fears of storms.