World History
Yesterday was not a good weather day. A massive storm hit my town yesterday shortly after 6PM. I was getting ready to sit down and write a history post when I noticed the weather outside.
Dark low hanging clouds came out of nowhere. The temperature dropped from 90 to 75 in less than an hour. The power went out before the winds and rain hit. For the next 6 hours, high winds and constant rain (and some hail) came down. With the power out, my subpump failed to operate and for the first time since I have owned the house, my basement flooded. (Thankfully, my books are on shelves and were spared.)
The storm warning sirens went off several times. As the sky looked dangerous (and green!), I have no doubt that funnel clouds were spotted. Fortunately, no twisters touched down.
The power is still out. Fortunately, the university has power so I can go online in my office. I guess a night using flashlights and candles is pretty tame but I did find it a good reminder of how much I take computers, the Internet, cable TV, microwaves, and refrigerators for granted. Most of the people I write about in this blog did not have access to any of this stuff and they got along just fine.
Maybe if the power stays down today I should sleep in my office tonight? The heat is back but the air conditioners are not working at home. Probably not but it is a thought.
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World History
Humbled by the Storm
Yesterday was not a good weather day. A massive storm hit my town yesterday shortly after 6PM. I was getting ready to sit down and write a history post when I noticed the weather outside.
Dark low hanging clouds came out of nowhere. The temperature dropped from 90 to 75 in less than an hour. The power went out before the winds and rain hit. For the next 6 hours, high winds and constant rain (and some hail) came down. With the power out, my subpump failed to operate and for the first time since I have owned the house, my basement flooded. (Thankfully, my books are on shelves and were spared.)
The storm warning sirens went off several times. As the sky looked dangerous (and green!), I have no doubt that funnel clouds were spotted. Fortunately, no twisters touched down.
The power is still out. Fortunately, the university has power so I can go online in my office. I guess a night using flashlights and candles is pretty tame but I did find it a good reminder of how much I take computers, the Internet, cable TV, microwaves, and refrigerators for granted. Most of the people I write about in this blog did not have access to any of this stuff and they got along just fine.
Maybe if the power stays down today I should sleep in my office tonight? The heat is back but the air conditioners are not working at home. Probably not but it is a thought.
- Returning To The History Blogosphere
Last Thursday night, I received word my father-in-law was in the hospital. The next day, he was dead. It was sudden, shocking, and very devastating. After travel for the funeral and to be with family, I am finally back home. During this time away, I only...
- Auschwitz Through The Lens Of The Ss
Auschwitz Through the Lens of the SS. Talk about chilling. Did you know that the Auschwitz Death Camp was a place of fun and joy? Well, for a few people anyway. This website has photographs of Nazi leadership at the camp provided by the U.S. Holocaust...
- At A Conference...
I have been at a conference since Thursday. I presented a paper today. (And it went well!) Unfortunately, the advertised "wireless" access at the hotel is not working and my laptop is worthless for going online. I am posting this note from one of only...
- Hurricane Camille Photos
Hurricane Camille Photos - As we watch the continued horrific aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, it is sobering to remember that this has happened before. Katrina may be worse but Camille was also destructive. These photos were taken by Chauncey Hinman of...
- World History Web Resources: An Annotated Guide
World History Web Resources: An Annotated Guide Michael Lorenzen at Central Michigan University has put up this guide to world history Web resources. I discovered this when I was reading his literacy blog yesterday. Michael also keeps his American Presidents...