scary...yet hypnotic

Lightning is one of the strangest things around, I think. It is so scary all-the-while mesmerizing and magical! A favorite childhood pastime of mine: sitting on the swing bench outside, staring at lightning and listening to rumbling thunder.

The other day I was shocked by lightning - only mildly so. Lightning struck the tip of my umbrella while I was riding my bike home. Ouch! I quickly folded up the umbrella and rode home, arriving thoroughly soaked through from head to toe.

Today I warned my junior high school students of the hazards of both holding an umbrella (esp. one with a steel tip) and waiting out a storm under a tree. They got my drift and seemed to laugh at my having been electrocuted. Hmm, funny how kids always laugh at my gaffes.