Storm Brewing in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia
Online Confession: I am terrified of thunder storms. Never used to be. Only since we moved here. That was 26 years ago, so I have been afraid of thunder and lightning for all that time. Tsk!
In spite of valiant efforts to hide this phobia, most of my friends know all about it.
I used to tell them our Golden Retriever, Peaches, was so afraid of storms she would try to get in the bathtub or shower. I suggested the closet and would accompany her there for comfort and solace through the wild flashes.
Photo from http://en.wikipedia.org
From that time on, Peaches and I hit the closet together to weather storms.
- I lined the closet with pillows where delightful scents of shoes and clothing might calm the poor pup down.
- I rubbed her with dryer sheets (supposed to reduce static electricity),
- and I even gave her little candies laced with doggy herbal tranquilizers.
Maybe I should have tried the dryer sheet-tranquilizer thing on myself!
Friends would say, “It’s thundering Dor –you and Peaches better get to a closet!”
The real story is that in a state of abject fear I prefer to lie down in a closet. Folks do not understand there are no windowless rooms in this house – no comforting walls for protection. And then of course, Peaches caught my fear (dogs are very perceptive that way you know). And I suppose she entered the closet to actually comfort ME!
We finally lost Peaches (not to lightning but to old age), and then inherited an old rescue dog named Rozie who also found solace in the closet during raucous weather.
We lost sweet old Rozie as well (not to lightning but to old age). I fervently wish a stray would wander in but there are no dogs here now and I hit the closet alone.
This is irrefutable proof that fear of lightning is my own hangup and I should stop involving helpless animals.
Peaches
Rozie
Virginia Views 
I get both excited and scared when a storm is brewing. While on several golfing trip in Arizona, we got caught on the course in some horrible storms. I’ve never experienced lightning so intense. Cute photos of the Peaches and Rozie, Dor.
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We had monsoon rains today but no thunder, so you would have felt safe here :).
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I always loved to watch lightning storms, both in the South and over Long Island Sound. We would get in the car and drive two minutes to get a good vantage point. Once, though, I caught my daughter’s fear. She was terrified of the thunder. Most of the time storms were very short, but that one day we were pounded relentlessly. The strikes were close. Torrents of rain beat against the house. She whimpered and wanted to know the safest place. I said away from the windows. I sat down with my back against an inner wall and held her close. I’m sure her fear went through to my bones. It’s a marvel we survived. As for closets, we had only one big one in the house, and that one would have frightened me more than any storm. There would be no telling what dust and strange critters might lurk there. I’d take my chances with lightning any day!
I feel sorry for you, having a fear that you are powerless to overcome. I loathe spiders, but that is a short-lived terror that can be forgotten once I’ve killed the creature. It’s too bad you can’t go out and kill thunderstorms.
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We all have a fear of something. Thunder is more manageable than others.
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As long as no one puts windows in your closet you’re good.
BTW: Ear buds/phones with music is a good distractor also.
(Don’t ask me how I know…)
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Sorry you have to suffer alone without your furry companions, Dor. Where’s that husband of yours during these storms?
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I can imagine how bad that Arizona storm was Jill. It’s the wide open spaces that make for magnified sound and fury.
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Ooooh… I think I would love monsoon rains! 🙂
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I do admire people who actually go out on the deck to enjoy a good storm. You were surely a major comfort to your daughter during that awful storm though.
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Yes – and as long as there is a closet around I have the fear factor under control. It’s just a matter of waiting things out. 🙂
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Aha! I won’t ask you how you know about earbud storm detractors Ellen, but it’s nice to have a simpatico friend. 🙂
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Husband has no fear of storms and even leaves the ceiling fans going. He might join me in the closet if there was a tornado warning though. 🙂
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that is wonderful 🙂
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You are not on your own Dora. I too have always been terrified of thunder storms and used to hide under the stairs. If we have planned in advance to go out anywhere maybe to meet friends and there is a likely storm brewing I am afraid I have to cancel that arrangement, but my friends understand. When in the house curtains are drawn so I don’t see lightning. John goes out on the balcony and watches and the dog hides under the table. By the time the storm is over I am exhausted from fear. So you see thunderstorms a common fear Dora.
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Yes and getting another dog.
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I’m more fearful of storms now than I think I was as a child. Of course, having a home two streets over from us be struck by lightning last summer didn’t help. Now, whenever there’s a storm, I vividly remember seeing the flames from our window. And heaven help me if we’re out of town, and I learn that it’s storming in our area……
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Whew, the storm clouds look ominous. I can see why they worry you. I think that storms seem worse in the country than in cities. There are no buildings to break up the wind, the clouds seem nearer, . .
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Thank you Joshi! I so appreciate your comment. 🙂
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Wonderful that we share the same phobia Rita! Your house sounds like my house for sure.
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Hahaha! You are right on Kate! My plan now is to completely heel the heal and then volunteer at the local SPCA! 🙂 And of course, you know where that will lead.
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A strike that close would have me on the alert too Dianna. Scary!
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You are so right about the country-city thing Sheryl. We live in the country on top of a hill – not like where we used to be in a townhouse community in the city. There are other homes on higher hills nearby but not enough of a buffer to ease my fears.
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I can’t wait for the blog announcement! You are such an animal person I am not sure why you have waited so long.
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I’ve lived in Texas most of my life, Spring is rough here but I also enjoy watching the storms roll in. The only time I get nervous is when they say tornado warning-take cover, which, for me, hasn’t happened but a few times. When we lived in the port arthur area, the threat was hurricanes but again, we got lucky in the five yrs we lived there, never had to deal with that. I’m sorry your phobia is so real and strong, it must make you a nervous wreck! I hope you find a good “closet companion”- maybe a cozy kitty would do the trick? At least take your iPad in there and you could distract yourself with some writing or entertain yourself playing games or watching videos or music, something calming like Enya!
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Thank you Kate for knowing this blogging stranger/friend so well. I can’t wait for that blog either. 🙂
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You have been lucky with storms Kim. I think I have been too. It’s just that they are so loud and ominous out here in the country. Thanks for the good wishes for a cozy closet companion. I hope for one of those, but will check out the Enya thing just in case.
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Simpatico vibes are coming your way! I have never been a fan of thunderstorms or any other violent weather. My comfort level is directly proportional to how many counts I get in between the flash of lightning strike and crack of thunder. The more counts there are, the calmer I am. I remember growing up, Mom would turn off the TV and other electrical appliances when the storm was close. I haven’t tried the closet yet – maybe it’s because I don’t have a dog to keep me company in it. 😉
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It’s comforting to know some of my favorite blogger friends have similar reactions to storms. Thanks for the “simpatico vibes” Kate. I too count the time between the thunder and the lightning strike. 🙂
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When I was growing up my mother would make us go to bed during a thunderstorm; she told us it made us safe. Years later I asked her why she thought that and she said, “Oh, you guys would drive me crazy and it would keep you guys quiet.” I guess if you’re stuck inside with six kids you do what you have to do!
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Your Mom was a creative thinker! 🙂
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I too have a strong fear of lighting (it can be deadly) and so does my dog Samson . We comfort each other when a thunderstorm comes . He where I live in Mobile, Alabama they are very common . You must get another big dog, they are God’s gift to us who fear thunderstorms . Best to you !
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Good advice Andy about getting another dog. I will be working on that. 🙂
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Here in Oregon, thunder is rare and since coming from Oklahoma, I find I miss it. Funny how things change. Thanks for the memory. (And good luck with the booming noise.)
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Hmmmm. I wonder if I moved to Oregon I would miss the big storms. Maybe so. Thanks Barb for another perspective. 🙂
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Funny how we all have different fears and phobias and such. I can be afraid of thunderstorms but not always. My mother once ran toward a tornado! Perhaps a little fear might have been helpful in her case. 🙂
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I often wonder about the fearless storm chasers we see on t.v. Your mom must have been a brave woman indeed to run into the face of a tornado! 🙂
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Brave…or not so smart? Lol!
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When our weather radio goes off (a shock in itself) I make sure there’s room to get in the hall closet, under the stairs. We have no windowless rooms, either.
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