Day 602 Weather Dominated Day

Day 602

Weather Dominated Day

My morning started as normal as any today. It was scrambled eggs and a banana with my coffee this morning. I grabbed some extra fruit as I bolted for the door, as it turned out—this wasn’t enough food for a day like today. But it was still morning and everything was quiet.

The meteorologist knew conditions were ripe for a tornado outbreak, but I’m not sure any of them expected the kind of outbreak we experienced. The signs were all around, like teams of storm chasers sitting on the road waiting for the action…it was coming. I left the studio shortly after 3pm to run a couple of errands and head home for food and a short nap. I had to return for weather coverage, I knew that, but I really thought I had time for a nap and food first. I stopped at Team Radio headquarters in the Poncan and was informed that I better get some food quick and head back behind the microphone, the storms were already popping.

My first instinct was a drive through. Wendy’s---chili, small---190 calories. I can do that. But then I realized I wasn’t in the mood for chili. I ended up doing what I should have done to begin with, I stopped at a grocery store. I ran in quick, grabbed a pear, banana, and orange, along with some thinly sliced turkey breast. I didn’t know how long the weather coverage would last, so with the ½ pound of turkey and fruit, I was set. I ended up throwing the chili away, I know---what a waste, but I just couldn’t for some reason.

I headed straight for the studio as soon as I got back. A tornado warning had just been issued in the next county—and we were in full weather coverage mode. The storms started spawning tornados almost faster than we could announce them. At one point we were talking about three separate tornado warnings in our listening area.

Gayle and I worked as a team today. I was anchoring coverage and she was processing information from the NWS and joining me in studio for occasional spotter reports. It was intense, very intense. And when the warning you’re giving is for a tornado that’s bearing down on a community---you try to talk directly to them, telling them to “take shelter now!” And you just hope and pray they’re aware of the situation. Some major property damage was reported around our immediate area, but luckily no serious injuries or deaths up here in the Northern part of the state. In Central and Southeastern Oklahoma, the news wasn’t as good. Six people lost their lives and countless others were injured.

After the storms moved on, I just sat and allowed myself to wind down a bit. I didn’t feel like complaining about a long workday, a missed workout, or lack of nap…that stuff doesn’t matter on a day like today. You just give thanks that you and yours are safe---and you think about those who didn’t make it through the storm.

I made it back to the apartment just before 8pm. A friend of mine and his son were coming over to help me change the bicycle seat---Thank you Lindel and Rex! They fixed me up real good. I thought seriously about taking a long ride after they left, but nah…not tonight. I wasn’t in the mood. Maybe I should have. Instead, I prepared a large egg white omelet with mushrooms and cheese. I had my omelet dinner while watching the news coverage and images from the storm.

Tomorrow’s a new day and the sun will shine! Thank you for reading. Goodnight and…

Good Choices,
Sean


Bonus mom and me picture from yesterday at the buffet! Mom---You look great!!!!! (mom didn’t like her photo on yesterday’s post)


My Aunt Kelli and Me. We were always close—more like brother and sister than an Aunt/nephew relationship. Kelli has a weight loss blog too! Just visit www.snoconegirl.blogspot.com