The Earth Moved

Yesterday was a really nice day. Started out a bit chilly for August, and when I walked in the AM, I wore a long-sleeved shirt. It was what the old folks used to call, "brisk". I had to run warm water over my hands when I got back.

I had my breakfast, chatted on the 'phone and decided to visit my favorite store to see if I could get some more of the delicious thin-sliced steak that I had earlier in the week. Sad to say, they were out. K-Mart didn't offer anything new. The Chinese dollar store, on the other hand, had some new stuff and I made a modest purchase.

After I ate my lunch, I was standing at the kitchen sink, cleaning out my coffee pot. I haven't been able to get the inside really clean since I got it as a gift, almost a year ago. The opening is too small to get my hand inside and so I settle for wrapping a wooden spoon with the dish cloth and giving it a lick and a promise. Yesterday, I bought a bottle of automatic dishwasher gel, (I don't have a dishwasher) thinking this may be the answer.

So, I'm standing at the sink and it began to move back and forth. Ever so slightly, but noticeably. My first thought was I'm having a stroke. My second thought was should I take the aspirin first and then call 9-1-1 or vice versa. I glanced up and noticed that some little items on the curtain rod were swaying and the back door, which was open, was swinging back and forth. And then I knew. Earthquake. And then the swaying stopped. I was feeling ever so slightly disoriented, but I knew. I called my daughter-in-law and she said she hadn't felt anything, even though she was only about nine miles from me.

I went out the front door to see if any neighbors were out but the street was quiet. I came back and got a drink of water and collected my thoughts. Remembering the time years ago when another quake rattled NEPA. It had originated in New England, where it was severe enough that it rang church bells. I was sitting on the toilet when the shock reached Luzerne County. You can bet I got up quickly!

Anyway, I finally realized that there would be news reports and turned on the TV. Sure enough, all the newsies were hard at work reporting the story. Earthquake originated in Virginia. All the local office buildings in Wilkes-Barre and Scranton emptied out with all the workers milling around and wondering what happened. September 11 was on everyone's mind. Of course, in the day of instant communication by cell phone, the word spread quickly and eased the minds of the apprehensive. Then came the speculation that some infrastructure damage may have occurred. The nuclear plant, various bridges, some of the taller buildings; all reason for concern.

Having learned where it originated, and that thus far it didn't seem to be devastating, I went back to what I was doing. Worrying about it would be non-productive. No way I could stop it if the "big one" should happen.

Happily, the dollar store gel did the job and the inside of my beloved coffee pot is all shiny and new once again. And this morning's coffee was especially mellow.