Tornado Alley

Yesterday I was reminded again that I live in Tornado Alley.  I seriously cannot believe that those two words are in my vocabulary.  I tornado literally touched down about a mile from my house yesterday.  I wasn't home, but that doesn't really make it any easier to take.  We didn't suffer any damage this time, but it's way too close for comfort. 

Ever since I was little I have been afraid of severe weather.  Thank you to my grandmother who jump-started my unnaturally healthy fear of thunder and lightening.  She was terrified of thunderstorms and they literally paralyzed her with fear.  If we were at her house during a storm we would have to hide in the closet, in the dark with that tiny, little radio.  And so, a neurotic child I became whenever a chance for storms was on the horizon. 

When my husband and I would visit his family in Nebraska during the Spring and Summer there were always severe storms.  I would be a total nervous wreck and no one else would even flinch.  However, one time we were at my in-laws and the storms must have been bad enough for even them to be concerned.  My mother-in-law told me to go down to the basement, crawl under a desk and put a pillow oever my head.  I was totally freaking out.  Needless to say, we were fine and the storm passed, but I'm sure that I aged at least a year from the stress.  I used to be so relieved when I was able to leave Nebraska and go back to Colorado where my hypervigilance could take a break. 

Now, I live in Nebraska and tornado season is upon us.  I live on an acreage, in a really old farm house.  We literally have a storm cellar outside our front door.  This totally freaks me out... I told my husband that a storm would have to be pretty bad for me to go in that cellar because I'm sure there are lots of creatures with 8 legs living in there.  I also told him that the cellar door is so heavy that if he was not home to help me, I wouldn't be able to lift it myself.  He then tells me that if I'm home alone and a tornado is coming, that my adrenaline alone will lift that door.  Here's another thing....I seriously cannot believe that we have to have this conversation. 

Yes, I know that "hate" is a strong word and that your're not supposed to use it and...yadda, yadda, yadda, but...I hate living in Tornado Alley.