The winter is over and gone, but here come the storms. That is the reality of life in Southern Illinois. The wind is howling. Life is fun and danger wrapped up in one package. We live in the eye of a hurricane lulled by the quiet.

‘The clouds are frightening,’ Jane said. ‘They are black and purple with some green interspersed,’ Jane observed. ‘The cedar tree is rocking and rolling like a rag doll,’ she said.

‘There is a possibility of several tornadoes,’ Chet advised. ‘Basements will be welcome shelter today if you have one,’ Chet commented. ‘The storm safety advice of laying down in a ditch if a tornado is coming is hard to do when the ditch is full of water,’ Chet said dryly.

‘Reports of widespread damage and many deaths are coming into the newsroom,’ News Man said. ‘Millions have sought shelter from the terrible cuts of their jobs and the eliminations of their Social Security retirement,’ News Man continued. ‘Clusters of people now are homeless and hungry,’ News Man observed.

‘This safe room is the height of modern technology, right Elon?’ the President asked. We have a golf simulator that is like the real game, and are so far underground that the Storm will never touch us,’ the President smiled wide.

‘Follow me into the cave and you will be safe,’ Preacher said. ‘We will wait for the Storm to pass over and the Sun to return,’ Preacher noted. ‘Eat we have food for your hunger,’ Preacher said as he distributed fish and bread. ‘We are often forgotten but God has not forgotten us,’ Preacher comforted the assembled forgotten.