Simple embarassments at the wrong time, or full-fledged crisis---what sort of disaster you've experienced stands out in YOUR mind?--Al

-- Al Schroeder (al.schroeder@nashville.com), September 28, 1999

Answers

I was in a major ice storm last winter. Happened just before the winter term started... I got in on a Saturday, I think, and immediately got REALLY sick - like, 104 degrees, delusions, kind of sick. But it was too damn cold out to go to the doctor - if I tried to stick my head out the door, I wouldn't be able to breathe... And THEN, the ice storm hit. I was stuck in my apartment for a week. Everyone I knew lost power, lost heat... the water plants were screwed up... some people were unable to return to their homes for weeks... Luckily for me, I was within 3 blocks of a fire station, a police station, AND a major hospital, so my actual level of discomfort (once the delusions went away) was very low. In fact, I only lost power for a total of 45 minutes.

-- Marianne Aldrich (marseillaise@hotmail.com), September 29, 1999.

I'd have to say, once again, the fire where I lost nearly everything. There's nothing like standing on the street before dawn, holding a three-month old baby, barefoot, watching the fire department NOT put out a small fire because the city's standpipe is cracked and there is no water supply. The fire raged out of control, and six floors of low-income residents were suddenly homeless. Without possessions. The Red Cross was wonderful, though. They gave us blankets and clothing vouchers, meal tickets and hotel rooms. Still, it was very hard to care for a small baby with no refrigerator, crib, or baby supplies. It was horrible. For years, I kept a "fire bag" packed right by the front door. Never again, I vowed, would I be caught without essentials and mementos!

Sunshyn

-- Sue Ford (classo88@aol.com), September 29, 1999.

I'd have to say the year the drunk driving the El Camino smashed the heck out of our caddy, hubby's dream car. That started the disk slide downhill in my back.

-- b.rabble (rabble@express-news.net), September 29, 1999.