Patricia Ann Rapier
Writings

Greg, my husband, and I decided to drive to Modesto for the day. We knew we would have a wider variety from which to choose than what was available in Sonora. The day started out sunny. The air was clear and the sky was bright blue with white fluffy clouds. We buzzed right along listening to and singing along to oldies on the radio. Greg asked, "What would you like to do today? We can do anything you want. It's your day." After a moments thought, I replied, "I want to go to see a movie and go to dinner at the Olive Garden. I'd also like to go to the bookstore at the mall and Michael's craft store."

Window shopping and browsing were first on the agenda. We checked out Michael's with its many craft items. Colors of the rainbow jumped out from the shelves as we walked through the aisles. The earthtones of browns, yellows, oranges, and reds were brightly displayed in a fall arrangement. Even though it was only September the Christmas decorations were covering three whole aisles. Here you could see the traditional red and greens, silvers and golds, and all that twinkles and shines. I never tire of looking at the ideas and choices offered in this store. We covered art supplies, craft items, baskets, cake decorating, rubber stamps, candle- making and balloons, "I wish I have a million dollars to spend," I said. "Me too," Greg joined in.

Next we headed for the bookstore, another good place to browse. I decided to purchase a Webster's Collegiate Dictionary and a Thesaurus with birthday money from my Mom.

As we were leaving the bookstore, we noticed how still the air was. "Look at the sky," I said to Greg. It had turned a smokey, brownish gray color. When we got in the car and proceeded toward the Olive Garden, a wind was whipping the trees, papers were flying by, and dirt was swirling around us. As we approached the restaurant, we noticed how that air was filled with dirt. Most of the cars around us had a thin layer of silt on them. After parking, we had to push on the doors in order to open them. The wind seemed to push on the doors in order to open them. The wind seemed to push us along. We were grateful it was only a few feet to the entrance. Once inside the hostess said, "This is some storm," as she pointed out that you couldn't see across the freeway which was a short distance from the restaurant. Wow! This was eerie.

From our table we were unable to see outside, but we heard other people's comments when they would arrive. Certainly this was not a common occurrence. Greg and I talked about the movie "Twister" while we were eating. All the time we kept saying how glad we were not to live in the Midwest where storms like this happen regularly.

When we returned to our car, the wind had died down considerably. There wasn't a car in the parking lot without dirt on it. The drive home was very mild and as we progressed the wind continued to die down. When we were coming up the hill to Twain Harte the sun was just setting in a brilliance of blues, pinks, purples, and reds. If you hadn't witnessed the event in Modesto, you would be none the wiser.

The next morning on my way to school the weatherman began describing the sudden "mini-twister" the day before in Modesto. I shook my head and smiled thinking so much for not living in the Midwest.

Pat Rapier