Speaking Volumes

Still, this tidbit of information attracted my attention since tornados have been figuratively crossing my path for a while. It’s funny how topics surface this way.

 

First, in the last book I was reading, How to Build a House by Dana Reinhardt, a tornado played a significant role.  This is a YA novel about a young woman who joins a group much like Habitat for Humanity and helps build a house for a family in a small Tennessee town devastated by a tornado.   Of course she learns about friendship and life lessons along the way. 

 

Then, I heard that a tornado had touched down in Wethersfield, CT very recently. I travel through that region frequently. At first, I was skeptical, were they sure it was a tornado? But yes, having seen the damage first hand, there is little doubt. On one house that I pass with regularity, the large metal star ornament that adorned the spot above their door has been turned inside out! It’s five points now reach out like a jellyfish swimming away. My sympathies go out to those who live there.

 

Finally,  I am currently reading Sing Them Home by Stephanie Kallos.  The novel is about family and community, but centers around an event that took place before the novel begins. The event is, of course, a tornado, but not just any tornado, one which swept up a woman who has never been found. The book and characters are compelling, but I’m not sure if I like the book.   It has made me wonder though, about tornados.

 

The mystery of tornados has been around for a long time. Dorothy had caused me to associate them with Kansas, but really that’s not so. The little research I’ve done indicates that a tornado can happen any where the meteorological situation is right: most simply when warm moist air meets cold and dry air.  

 

While I have no interest in experience a tornado or it’s aftereffects first hand, I do recommend these books…

 

      How to build a house : a novel by / Dana Reinhardt.

 

 

 

  Sing them home / Stephanie Kallos.