No, he is not a "reader". He falls more into the "gamer" category. I don't force the issue, but when he has required reading for school, I serve as a great resource.
It seems the youth of today rarely have reading at the top of their "to do" list.
Ryan, I love this quote. It sums it up 100%."We're all worried, we're all in pain. That just comes with having eyes and having ears. But just remember one thing - it can't get any worse, it can only get better. High school is the bottom, being a teenager sucks, but that's the point, surviving it is the whole point. Quitting is not going to make you stronger, living will. So just hang on and hang in there."
What did you all think of the description of riding out the storm, the damage, and the aftermath and repair? Has anyone experienced this or anything like it?
Last edited by charla.arabie; 07-31-2012 at 08:41 PM.
Around my parts, we have tornadoes. They are quick and powerful and you may have only a few minutes to get to safety. Was within 100 yards of one once. I was actually working at a gas station at the time and was unaware of the inclement weather until a frantic mother came in the store with her children. We huddled in the cooler and waited for it to pass. I did see it hit a building a short distance away, frightening is all I can say. After it passed the town folk came out in force. Everybody was assisting their neighbors. It was quite a sight, something I will never forget.
We have been through a couple of hurricanes. Had to evacuate and took damage during Rita a few years back. (Rita passed a few weeks after Katrina hit New Orleans.) We were without electricity for 13 days. It was very peaceful. Like time slowed to almost a complete stop. Everyone helped each other as much as we could. I felt close to what an ant must feel like when their pile is disrupted. Like in the book, everyone immediately started cleanup and self repair.
I enjoyed the love story/teen age angst, but I relate more to the storm itself. I lived in South Florida (Fort Lauderdale area) through Andrew.The night of the storm, we stayed up trying to decide if we would run away or stay. We stayed and the storm stayed south. I spent the next seven weeks flying for the Florida Army National Guard and seeing the devestation first hand. Mission after mission was taking food and water to those cut off from transportation. One of the Hotels on Miami Beach made thousands of sandwiches for distribution. An entire hangar at Opa Locka airport was filled with donated food, water and supplies. People really cared and I will never forget those weeks.