The Whipping Winds of West Texas

Happy 2021, everyone! I took a much needed break from everything for the past few weeks — including my blogging. Now that I am back in Texas to begin another semester of teaching, it is time to resume my writing. I have a plan to be more consistent in my posts, but we all know how “the best laid plans” sometimes turn out. Anyway, I thought I would kick things off by sharing a funny moment from my life that happened this week.

On Wednesday afternoon, I made my way to my bank. I don’t visit the branch very often because I handle most of my banking electronically. Recently, the banking app on my phone has been possessed and won’t let me in. (That’s an entirely different story.) I had received a gift for Christmas that I needed to deposit as well as the December pay check from my church gig. The gift check was safely tucked away in my wallet. I removed the church’s large check from the envelope, detached the stub, put on my mask, and prepared to get out of my car and go inside.

Winter in West Texas can change on a dime. It had been chilly most of the day, so I was wearing my winter coat. The wind had blown earlier that morning, but nothing too outrageous. I had even noticed on my drive to the bank that the light breeze that was blowing at the moment was gently swaying the trees and looked rather refreshing.

All of that changed in a moment. As I got out of the car, a HUGE gust of wind came out of nowhere. The car door was forced shut when I noticed something flutter by my face. That’s when I looked at my hand and saw that I was holding a tattered corner of the check — and nothing more! The parking lot was fairly empty, but I didn’t see the check anywhere. I looked under the car, under the wipers, and in the door itself. No check! That’s when I started to look around the edges of the bank, in the shrubs, anywhere that I thought the paper might have gotten caught. I’m sure the employees inside thought I was casing out the joint.

I went inside to deposit the Christmas gift that was in my wallet. (Thankfully, it was the larger of the two checks and made it safely into my account!) The teller had noticed me outside and asked what I was looking for. As I told her the story, she just shook her head and told me that other customers had shared similar accounts in the days prior. So somewhere in Plainview, it appears that there are a few checks floating around that have been ripped from unsuspecting hands.

Looking back on it now — it is humorous. In the moment….not so much! I dreaded telling the church staff that the check would not be clearing their account any time soon. As I shared the story, they laughed with me. Graciously, the check will be re-issued (which I did not expect at all and am most appreciative about).

From now on, I’ll keep my eyes peeled for unexpected gusts of winds and make sure that I have a firm grasp on those things that are of greatest value! Hopefully, I’m done with unexpected gusts overturning my apple cart for a while. (I’m not sure that we’re still talking about a lost check anymore….) It’s time for some calmer weather here on the “Plains of Texas.”

~Kennith

Safety from the Storm

Like most Americans, I have watched with anguish the tragedy that hit the town of Moore, Oklahoma this week. Like many, I found myself asking why there weren’t safe areas for our children. After all, Oklahoma is in the center of tornado alley. We know these storms are coming eventually. We know they can be devastating. We know that the safest place to be in order to survive a tornado is below ground in a storm bunker. Despite all that we know, people still die.

As I watched NBC Nightly News on Tuesday evening, I watched a report on this very issue. Most houses in this area (the delta of Arkansas included) do not have basements because of the clay in the soil. The soil composition would lead to lots of flooding and mold in traditional basements. To install a small secure room (either above or below ground) can cost $3,000-$5,000. Many families in the Midwest struggle just to make ends meet; the expense of a storm shelter is not an option.

I was hopeful to learn that many of the newly constructed schools include safe rooms that are able to withstand the high velocity winds associated with these storms. In order to add a sufficient safe room to an existing school will cost the district around $1 million. Even though there may be assistance from federal and state agencies, the money is simply not there.

Obviously there is not an easy solution to the situation. I don’t have the answer. Neither do our government officials. Even though there is not an obvious answer, I think it’s time that we as a nation begin to ask the tough questions that lead to a solution. Our citizens on both coasts are generally equipped with structures that can withstand hurricane force winds and earthquakes. Those living in the interior sections of the nation deserve and want the same level of security.