05/19/2026
Morning Thoughts…
Well, we survived the storms. We had 3 tornado warnings yesterday. The most I’ve ever experienced in my 28 years of living in Kansas. I haven’t yet been outside to assess the damages yet, but I know that earlier in the afternoon, the high winds destroyed a few more of my tarps, so those will need replaced.
During the severe weather, I was at Pops’ house, as to be “available” if he needed help getting to the storm shelter in his basement. I watched him pace his living room looking out the window, while watching the local news channel on TV. I sat by his kitchen window with my phones and weather apps. Interesting to see how the different generations do the same things, but each in their own way.
While I was watching the radar on my weather apps, I was also messaging back and forth with several friends. One of which was hit by a tornado. It took out his grain bins and knocked over a couple of his big grain augers. His Peterbilt was spared, as was his house, barns, and livestock. The ruined grain bin ended up at a neighbor’s house. A tree saved the house from being collateral damage from the debris.
One of my local poultry friends asked me what I would do with all my birds, if there was a tornado at my house. For a little while, I really thought about it, but unfortunately, the answer was pretty grim. The birds would be left at home, while I would be trying to keep the humans alive. I know we’re not supposed to have “Favorites,” but I wondered if there was a way I could kennel them when we know that there will be storms, and take them to Pops’ with me. It was just a random thought. Trying to decide who would go, and who would stay, would really identify some things quick, fast, and in a hurry.
Back in my younger days when I was either chasing or running, I had sort-of an emergency “To-Go” stash. It consisted of important papers (a copy of my ICC [trucking] authority, the deed to my house and land, my birth certificate, marriage license & divorce decree, & some cash.) I also had 2 changes of clothes, and a few items that meant the most to me, one of which was my Black roping saddle. Why the saddle? I don’t really know, but back then, it was one of the things I valued the most. All of that was placed with my phone chargers, and truck keys right in front of the door, so I could grab & go.
Do you have an emergency plan, in case something happened and you needed to make a quick exit?
