Rock ‘n’ roll, baby. The earth’s a-shaking and a-rumbling. And I missed the whole thing! I was at work, on the third floor, and this building sways a little all the time as it is. I don’t think the Bay Area really felt it, as we received no phone calls from panicked citizens (who regularly pick up their phones the second an earthquake hits and dial 911, wanting to know the magnitude and location — give us JUST a moment, and we’ll get it for them, but in those few seconds after, we’re just as shook-ed up as they are).
I DID, however, get a panicky phone call from Christy, saying Home (Central Coast, San Luis Obispo area) had been hit with a 6.5 and she couldn’t get hold of Mom. I did the reassuring thing, as big sisters do, making up an insta-lie: “Mom’s not home, she had to take Kahlua to the vet, so that’s why she’s not answering.” Mom DID have to go to the vet today — I was just hoping I got the time right. Then I hung up and I called home. No answer, no machine. Enough to worry a little.
Mom called about fifteen minutes later, making only my second call received at work about the quake. All was well — she had, in fact, been out, driving her little yellow 72 bug into the Long’s parking lot, thinking she had suddenly lost control of the vehicle. When she pulled over to look under the car, a little old lady rushed up and said she thought she was having a heart attack. Together they figured out that neither the car nor the heart was in any great danger. And the house appears fine (with the exception of the water heater, which needs re-strapping and new vent), although everything was knocked down and off.
We finally found out what Dad had done during the shaker. Everyone raised in earthquake country has an automated response to shakes. I’m a doorway gal. If a large enough truck rumbles past my house, I’m standing underneath the door-frame before I can register the fact that I’ve moved. We had a 3.1 last Tuesday and my hair-dryer and I ended up in the bathroom doorway without even shutting the hot air off. Christy, on the other hand, is a duck-and-cover girl. A car crash on her street will send her right under the desk, piles of paper bedamned.
Christy talked to Mom, who had talked to Dad, who had said HIS method, apparently, is to go over to the plate glass window at work and press his nose against the glass. Hey! What’s goin’ on?
He’s from Arizona.
Me? I was born in Phoenix, but you know the saying, if a gal’s born in a barn, it don’t make her a horse. (A sheep, perhaps…..) But I’m a Californian at heart, reared in the gold-land. And I’m a home-girl, too, and I can’t wait to make that drive down the Coast tomorrow, Beth and my two kitties in the car with me, playing some tunes on the stereo, wind in our hair, heading right home to give the little shaken Mama the tight hug she needs.
Mariko lives in Paso, the hardest hit. Go wish her well.
I’ll be (mostly) off-line for the holidays, back Saturday. Have very happy holidays, no matter what you do. Or if, like my some of my best pals, Thursday’s just a good day for movie-hopping with none of that red and green frippery, enjoy that, too. Light a candle, cuddle a pet, kiss a loved one, and knit a little, too. Love to all of you.
Love to you, too, Rachael. Have a splendid time with your family this week! We expect photos upon your return, of course. Merry Christmas! xo
Hap-hap-happy holidays, Rachael! The pups and I send hugs and woofs to you and Bethy and Chrissy and your mom and dad. I was a doorway-person myself when I lived in CA.
Thought about you when I heard about the quake down in CA.. glad to hear you and yours are fine..
Whaaat?!? You can’t take HOLIDAYS from the blog!!! Didn’t anyone tell you that??! There are people who NEED their fixes MISSY 😉 Happy Holiday to you and yours and all the best in the New Year!
You have a happy, joyous and safe trip, m’dear. Can’t wait til you’re back online!
Hey, sweetie, happy holidays!
I’m a doorway gal, too.
Automatic — how I know there’s an earthquake going on.
No much use for the skill around here — but we have tornadoes sometimes!
much much love –Anne
Glad to hear all’s well, Rachael. Have a wonderful Christmas. Your Ribby Cardi is gorgeous. Love the asymmetry.
Whoa – I’m so glad that I wasn’t raised in earthquake country. We have tornadoes in GA, occasionally, so I have an irrational fear of a twister comin’ and picking me and my dogs up and dropping us back down in Mexico. I’m an anxious girl… 🙂
I hope you have a wonderful, wonderful holiday. I will be checking for you online! Be safe and merry!
I’ve been gone from the Bay Area so long, I’m sure my earthquake reflexes have lapsed….I was a duck-er. Quack.
Happy Holidays Rachael! Glad to hear you and your family survived the quake. Hope you have lots of merriness and cheer this week! :o)
Happy holidays. Have a good family visit, and a safe trip. I heard about the earth quake on the radio yesterday, and then emailed my folks in Florida to say I hadn’t noticed a thing up here in Oregon. 🙂 I’m glad you’re all okay!
Hee, I haven’t lived here long enough to have a quake strategy. Glad to hear your family’s ok. Up on the 32nd floor we felt it pretty strongly, and it got a little scary to see all our tall shelves full of heavy law books swaying. Wait, we had a 3.1 last week? I didn’t feel a thing…
Glad everyone’s OK. Have a Very Merry time with your family and a wonderful New Year! The asymmetry on your cardie is great. I’ll have to try that sometime.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Your family sounds so hilarious! I’m glad your mom’s beetle was fine AND that the lady in the parking lot was not having a heart attack! Hee hee. Since I am from Oregon, I just stood there wondering what to do! You know, the women who were killed were standing in the doorway of the building, I think! Scary. Have a WONDERFUL holiday.
Yikes! I’m glad you’re safe!! I’ve never experienced anything like an earthquake in my life, it sounds terrifying. Merry Christmas to you, have a great trip!! 🙂
I never put anything heavy/valuable/breakable on the top shelf either. Or hang pictures over the bed. Or lots of weird things that non-Californians just don’t understand! But at heart I’m a doorway gal too. Or if its a biggie, go outside–to the side of the house without the power cables overhead, thank-you very much!
Here’s hoping Santa stuffs your stocking full of fiber! Happy holidays and safe journey.