tornado season: opening day is (Sunday) April 1st

Living in Tornado Alley (even if Dallas is generally Where The Alley Starts) can be troublesome. I often forget when Tornado Season Starts and when it ends. Pity it can't be made to coincide with something like Daylight Saving Time. Already (in March) there have been several Tornado Watches. It gets to be very, very routine. Less so if you live in a Mobile Home Park.

Here's the latest RADAR image, showing today's Tornado Watch ("conditions are right") area - the infamous red boxes. I haven't seen a live tornado since living in Louisville (circa 1974) and I've no desire to repeat that procedure. Still, I know it's possible that I'll get Up Close And Personal with one again someday.

With The Watch often comes The Rain. Even though we're technically in a continued drought, we've had our share of Wet the last week or so. One of the challenges is mowing the grass when it's not too wet .. that may have to wait for Monday. Still, with no natural Weather Stoppers (mountains, etc.) most storms blow through here quickly, often Jumping Over Dallas (an Urban Heat Island).

Still, I'm conditioned to listen for the sound of an oncoming train .. the last sound you supposedly hear before a tornado hits. I've (long ago) decided on my home's "safe room" where I can go without thinking if the need arises. It's the place in the center of my home where there are no windows, and presumably a good place to hang out while the storm passes.

Reminds me of when I lived in California and was conditioned to head for the nearest doorframe when an earthquake struck (in the theory that this is the strongest part of most structures).

Alas, I can hear thunder in the distance, so it's time to feed Beta the Wonder Dog and her two feline companions. Just in case we have to duck.