Oops, sorry for the long absence. Regular deadlines intervened. But that's no excuse, we know, so we will try to do better.
The night before last was very exciting around about these parts. We had a 5.6 earthquake, large and long enough to set the house shaking for some time. We were sitting at dinner and at first it seemed as if someone had kicked the table. Or maybe someone with a loud stereo was driving by. We looked at each other, and the shaking kept going. And going. The windows rattled, the candlesticks wiggled. The table shook. We sat in our chairs but we felt like we were riding a roller coaster.
One is supposed to climb under the table when such a thing happens. But we just sat there. Could have been our surprise. Or it could have been the unperturbed animal lying there on the floor. I read in the paper this morning that pets have a remarkable ability to anticipate earthquakes. Somehow they can feel one is coming, whether through higher sensory awareness or some kind of sixth sense. Look to the animals, the sages say, and you'll be prepared.
Hmmm. If this animal was alerting us, it certainly wasn't apparent. Not only did she not lift her head before the quake, but she didn't budge at all while the earth rolled beneath her. Perhaps this dog has been earthquake-proofed. Bolted to the foundation. But an earthquake early warning system? I think not.
Daisy alerts us to a 5.6 earthquake.
