11 Comments
User's avatar
Jim Cummings's avatar

Great story, Ron. There are always risks to living in paradise. Sometimes it takes an act of nature to let us know what is essential and what is just stuff.

Expand full comment
James Ron's avatar

Yes, no matter where you are, nature, sooner or later, has the upper hand. I think most don't realize what is essential and what is just stuff until it has happened. Thank you, Jim.

Expand full comment
Alexander Ipfelkofer's avatar

There is no stopping nature. Great story, Ron!

Expand full comment
James Ron's avatar

Hello, Alexander. Thank you very much! Yes, nature will win out in the end.

Expand full comment
K.C. Knouse's avatar

That's what I call downsizing. What a thrilling conclusion to the story, James. When we retired, sixteen years ago, we got rid of a lot of stuff. Now we have to do some more downsizing. Where to begin? Garage? Closets? Kitchen? Office? One of these days...

Expand full comment
James Ron's avatar

Thank you, K.C. It is hard to start. I had to just make up my mind that I wanted to do it.

Expand full comment
Sharron Bassano's avatar

Wow! That IS downsizing. A thrilling account, Ron We Californians try to be so well prepared. We are fooling ourselves. At east we need to pack a box or two of the things we absolutely cannot lose - the irreplaceable, and try to keep them mobile. Excellent tale, Ron

Expand full comment
James Ron's avatar

Yes, we think "it" won't happen to us. I live above a flood likelihood, it is fire from earthquake that I concerns me, houses too close together. Much thanks, Sharron!

Expand full comment
The Radical Individualist's avatar

Great story. The things that mean so much to us can become very non-essential when our lives are at stake.

Expand full comment
James Ron's avatar

Thank you very much. I've been tossing old stuff out left and right. I feel better now.

Expand full comment
The Radical Individualist's avatar

My wife and I are facing that conundrum We know that most of the stuff that means a lot to us means little to our kids.

Expand full comment