It was 3 AM and I'd just crawled back into bed after my tenth, or so it seemed, trip to the bathroom.  All of a sudden, I heard the weather siren, a.k.a. air raid drill siren for those of us who lived during the Cold War.  I couldn't believe my ears, so I went to the window, opened it, confirmed what I thought I'd heard, and mumbled "Oh, %@*$" under my breath. 

The first thing I did was grab my cordless and cell phones, then headed downstairs.  Buddy followed obediently; Dudley, who is old, took his good old time.  I thought, no, this isn't happening, so I opened the front door.  All was calm, but then there's the calm before the storm.  I ran down the basement stairs, again with Buddy joining me willingly.  Dudley wasn't the least bit cooperative; he hates the open-back stairs.  As I sat there, yelling, coaxing, pleading for him to come down, I decided to run back up and get his leash.  He was excited when he saw it, but it didn't help convince him to join me.

While I was up there I decided to flip on the TV.  Again, I was in denial.  Sure enough; "Tornado Warning."  Double %@*$.  I ran back down to the basement, this time praying Dud would be OK up there.  Then it hit me.  I'd better call all my family members.  I had two phones, so I was calling two at a time.  Try it; it's an art.  Of course, when each of them answered they thought someone had died.  After all, it's now only 3:05 AM.  No one calls them at that hour unless it's bad news. 

My oldest daughter said she would gather her clan and head for their basement.  My youngest daughter said it was probably just a drill and to call her back if the house started rattling.  Needless to say, I loudly suggested that she and her boyfriend get their @$$&$ out of bed.  I then called my husband, who lives on our boat during the summer.  We call it our yearly trial separation.  Thank goodness, we've never been successful.  He always comes back in the fall once the leaves start turning and the heater on the boat is needed.  He assured me that he was much safer on the boat than going to the clubhouse.  He was going to ride it out.  I'll say, just like Dorothy and Toto.  I had my sister on the other line, who said she already knew about it because she hadn't gone to bed yet.  Just then, my dear, precious neighbor called.  I thanked her for the call and felt so bad that I hadn't thought to call her first. 

I sat on an old box, waiting for "the train."  I knew I should get under the stairs, but there's so much junk stored there I took my chances.  All I could think about was that I had to get up in less than three hours to drive to a seminar.  At that moment, I was more agitated by the inconvenience of the whole situation than I was scared. 

My sister called a few minutes later to tell me she heard on their weather radio that the coast was clear.  I then called each of the above people to give them the news, after which I went back to bed to get my remaining two-and-a-half hours sleep.

Karen, you'll love this...  I picked up Carolyn this morning for the seminar.  On the way, I said, "Wow, wasn't last night something?"  She said, "Yes, what was the siren all about."  I then informed her there had been a tornado warning.  That thought had never occurred to her!!!  I added Carolyn to the list of people I have to call if this ever happens again!