madrobins. Here on the Home Front (Reply)

Today I finally did what I have been muttering about for a good two years: put together an Earthquake Kit. We don't live in Tornado Alley, we're not in the blizzard zone (though I've done blizzards more times than I can think...and generally had a rollicking good time, actually), and we're not in line for hurricanes, but earthquakes and the Bay Area are like that. For a long time, when I'd raise the subject, Spouse would shrug and change the topic. It took me a good long time, neurotic that I am, to realize that this might be evidence of his neurosis and not mine; that putting some water and food and a first aid kit together was not necessarily proof that I'm an obsessive worry-wart (well, in fact, I am, but that's not the point here). So I went out and got things and put them in a barrel, and if the Big One hits and we survive to tell the tale, we're set for 3-5 days of frontier life at least. Probably more, but at least that. And now I don't have to worry that I haven't taken due care of the family, and that's one less thing on my head.