The sun shone brightly over the desert town of Sandridge to start the day, its residents going about their daily lives with a sense of unease. A strange, pungent smell hung in the air, as if ozone and smoke had mixed. The sky had become a deep, foreboding grey, and the sand was beginning to swirl in tiny whirlwinds. It was as if the desert itself was warning the people of Sandridge of an impending disaster. In a small, du...

I stood, looking out at an untouched ocean of blue and white, comfortable in my heavy parka and knit tuque. It was peaceful on top of the mountain. And lonely, although I wondered if I’d brought that with me, cloaked in a silence that was too loud at times and too quiet at others; those times when I hoped it might drown out the howling storm within me. Breathless, I stared out over the natural beauty, ignoring the cold th...

The sand squishes between my toes as I descend into the warm gulf water. The cloudless sky and little fish swirling make me smile. I continue until I cannot touch the bottom and swim the rest of the way to the sand bar. Turning back to look at my home, I am grateful. I could have lost everything, but here she stands, undamaged by the vicious storm. I feel guilty as well—so many lost, so much destruction. But I remind myse...

What weather brewed behind me? I knew not. Maybe snow? Could fog be rolling in? Then thunder clapped. Lightning skittered across the sky causing me to turn toward reality. The wind -- she -- embraced me. The rain -- she -- filled my heart. The fire -- she -- lit my soul ablaze. The storm changed everything. She changed everything. What weather brews behind me? I worry not. She changed everything.  

Lydia placed a meagre collection of coins into the taxi driver’s outstretched hand. “I’m a bit short,” she said. “I’m terribly sorry.” He sighed but closed his hand around the money without counting it. “Thank you,” she said quietly and fumbled with the door handle, eager to escape before he changed his mind. Outside was freezing. The weather had taken a turn for the worse, a bitter wind whistling while icy rain lashed do...

The rider came swiftly towards Avenigar. Keeping his horse at a fast trot, he reached the cluster of buildings that stood beyond the town’s West gate. Those buildings stood mostly empty and boarded up now that winter had arrived. During the summer, though, they were home to hundreds when trade caravans passed through en route to the mountain passes. Dev Jackelbury, Warden of Avenigar, stood in the watchtower over the gate...

The rain lashed noisily against the windows and drummed upon the flat roof of the dormer. She pulled the blankets up over her head and tried to shut out the incessant din but it was no use. The howling wind whistled around the eaves reaching a thundering crescendo before dying away, only to return with equal ferocity moments later.   Outside she could hear the distant roar of the sea, waves crashing mercilessly against th...

      The Importance Of Being Ernest Hemingway It happened at a Maryland yacht club after Labor Day, when summer lingers. Philip Wright was adjusting lines aboard his forty-something-foot sailing ketch. Suddenly dark-haired Adrienne Racine called from the dock, “You’re publishing a novel?”   That Saturday was stormy, and this bold belle’s voice battled the wailing wind: “Alex Gooding told my uncle. He’s your agent, right?...

Route 66  Stormy As the wind changes from the east to the north.The road trip continues, the journey continues.Black clouds forming, touching the road ahead.In the last three miles, the temperature drops ten degrees.  One, two, three bolts of lightning danceacross the road ahead."Next Gas 3 miles Ahead" As you pull into the station hail comes down.Pounding the windshield bouncing away as if theyhad minds of their own.  As...

Sailing away to a new lifeThere was a clash of thunder and a flash of lightning.  The rain lashed down, soaking Peter Donnie as he stood there looking back at the city.  His rucksack on his shoulder, and a carrier bag with some of his clothes “All I have in the world.  Not a lot to show for ten years of marriage.” He thought to himself.He stood there no emotion showing on his face as the city lights slowly drifted further...

My Uncle Dave was an electrician by trade much like his father, my Grandpa Vernon. He retired from the power company and became a private electrician. One night we were in town for a visit to Grandma Mary and it came up a windy rain storm.Uncle Dave came in and sat down and related the following story. He had just been called over to “Old Lady ___’s.” She had lost power during the storm and had called Dave to get her ligh...

You were a hurricane draped in lightning and walking on fire. An unstoppable force, a serious threat, yet also a mesmerizing sight. My heart clenched painfully, in fright and in awe. My instincts screamed to stay away yet I found myself inching closer. As the winds tore down the trees, I remembered the time you said my name. As mountains burned, I remembered your kisses. I heard thunder in my heart in your presence. I fel...

Jane could not remember the last time she had enjoyed herself as much as she did during that day.The splint that she had fashioned before Victor found her was discarded. Using materials in his cabin, he fashioned a makeshift cast for her leg, and Jane was able to walk without pain.   At night they talked for hours about every subject under the sun, Victor was well versed on a variety of subjects. He shared stories about t...

Just as Margo stood to leave another crack of thunder shook the house and a bolt of lightening illuminated the street giving it the appearance of high Noon for a second. She sat back down and stared at her tea cup. "Please don't make me leave," she said softly. "I would not send my worst enemy or even you out in this weather. The decision to leave or stay is strictly yours," he responded. Margo stared at the fire with a s...

A typical Spring storm with the usual high winds, heavy rain, thunder and lightning were ravaging the city. A traveler's advisory was in effect and folks were encouraged to stay home and that suited Ian Vance just fine. There was no place he needed to be. Earlier that week he had dropped off the tank, fenders and side panels of his Harley Electra Gide to the painter. The painter was a longtime friend that owed him big tim...