FRESH to the desk: April 2008

Monday, April 21, 2008

Earthquake?

My radio-alarm clock reported it to my sleepy head. I thought I was still dreaming. Usually the snooze button gets hit pretty good within 10-15 seconds, but in this case I had to give WBBM more air time as I poorly rearranged my bed sheets to cover myself, and feet. The news continued to talk of the number 5.2. 5.2!?! What? When? Last night? I couldn't remember. It did not seem possible. Callers called in with their own accounts of "picture frames flying off the wall" and "mattresses rumbling off the bed" and blah blah blah. I'd never slept better. Curiosity got the best of me and I inspected all glassware around the house. Nothing seemed to have moved at all. A day passed. And again, I tried to remember if I felt anything. Perhaps I may have had a nightmare. Though I always have nightmares. All of a sudden, an image popped in my head. It was an image of our nice rug we have at home, and it was torn at the edge, burnt to a singed crisp at the ends--ruined forever. A family heirloom, gone. My heart sank at the thought of this image. Again, and with the thought of this image, I had a moment of deja vu. I have 'thought' this before! But when? Where? How? Ah yes! It was from a day ago! At 4 am! ...or whenever it was... When the earth decided to rumble a couple hundred miles south of Chicago! This is my (lame) account of the Chicago Earthquake. I should have hit the snooze button, as I always do. Though, I must admit, I am now just about ready for anything. I just hope I am awake when it happens. Take care everybody and watch out for wide open gaps in the earth.