Recipe for Disaster

Image of StormSpinner with her 'brew'
(c) Karen Lynn Vidra

"Recipe for Disaster"

You've heard of 'White Lightning.'
You haven't had anything yet
until you taste StormSpinner's
Homemade StormBrew.
It will make you wish you had
drunk a Hurricane, instead. =]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*Take two parts sky, fold.
*Spray the pan liberally with CAPE.
*Add wind shear.
*Remove the CAP at the triple point
of warm front/cold front/dryline.
*One drop of instability to make things pop.
*Add cauliflower towers of convection.
*Boil until the SPC issues a tornado watch,
pour into heated drinking glasses.
*Garnish with chaser convergences.
Observe the stillness of the air around you.
*Drink, until you howl. =]

(c) 2009, Karla Dorman (9/14)

Trivial Pursuit (with video link) - 5/7/5

ratcheted as high
as its temper will allow,
the bullying sky

it wrestles me to
the ground and shouts in my ear -

i
feel
very
small

insignificant.
a trivial pursuit whose
fate is in its hands -

(c) 2009, Karla Dorman (8/28)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=aji09wGFeGI

Aww, Mommmmm!! (with video link)

Thunder mutters in a
growly voice, wake up. Aww,
Mommmmm, just a few more hours,
I whine. Roll over, y a n k
the covers over my
head, fully intending
on returning to the
nice dream I was having:
nothing doing. It (she?)
yells, louder and louder:
alright, already, i'm
up, I'm up, I mumble
under my breath, hoping
she doesn't hear me. Some
people like to sleep in,
particularly on
rainy mornings like this,
but she's not having it:
When I say get up, get
up - and don't roll your eyes!

(c) 2009, Karla Dorman (8/21)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Sp25Cy9uCE

Confronting the Beast Once and for All

Image of StormSpinner (c) 2009, Karen Vidra.

(And thank you, Aaron, for letting me
'borrow' your stormchase vehicle!!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Confronting the Beast Once and for All

i hate storms. when
they gather forces
overhead, with me as
their target, i panic and
turn a deeper shade
of chicken.

i love storms. when
they dazzle my eyes
with their power, i am
humbled by greatness.
and look - God autographed
one just for me!

i hate storms. when
i hear of their destructive
side and see the pain in
a survivor's eyes, i know:
been there. i relive mine
all over again.

i love storms. when
one allows me to take its
picture, i am thrilled.
couldn't have done this
six years ago. the fear
was bigger than me.

going on my first "real"
stormchase next spring.
scared? yes. excited?
you bet. if you can't
change the weather, look
at it through new eyes. =]

(c) 2009, Karla Dorman (9/13)

If You See The Lightning and Hear The Thunder ...

It's said that if you see
the lightning and hear the
thunder, it missed you. This
one a bit too close: we've
had a strange year, weather-
wise. Our severe season

began early, then got
smashed by the Death Ridge of
high pressure. This past week,
storms nearly every
day: the other morning,
rudely jolted awake

by tornado sirens.
Yesterday afternoon,
the bottom dropped out with
heavy rain and spiders
dancing silver on the sky.
Today, a positive streamer

followed by a bolt in
the parking lot followed
by nearly instant crack
that shook the camera
in my hands and my nerves ...
wonder what tomorrow holds?

(c) and Revised, 2009, Karla Dorman (8/1)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTJSim9fpD8

This Is A Drill. This is Only A Drill ...

Been happening for several days,
bad weather: the air, overhead,
very unstable, primed to explode:
finally does, this morning with the
arrival of two tornadoes. One
tears through the high school;
that one, bad enough. The second
waits, gathering F-5 strength,
before shredding a neighborhood
nearby. Police/fire/EMTs/city
personnel stretched to the limits
of patience; sounds of sirens and
pain cut through the debris and
fears of another storm coming. I
don't see or hear anything: I am
unconscious, a victim of the wind
- red tagged for quick transport
to the hospital. Twin sis fares better
than me: walking wounded. It's a
scene no one wants to imagine,
but must be planned for, this full-
scale disaster drill happening today ...

(c) 2009, Karla Dorman

REVISION: Life In The Alley

The skies shaded in
darkening hues of terror,
clouds swollen. Pulsing ...

the wind dies. All stilled
before the chaos arrives
(where are the birds???). Red

watch boxes issued;
radars crank up; weathermen
go on high alert,

matching the high risk,
dangerous situation
building overhead.

Spatterings of rain
do not cut humidity,
only enhance it;

you can f e e l something
wicked this way comes. Sirens
wail warbeling tones;

chasers converge on
the storm; Civil Defense and
cities in the path

rise to the challenge.
This, just another day of
life in 'The Alley.'

(c) 2007, Revised, 2009, Karla Dorman

9/11 Revisited: Fear Of Fallin

Fear of Fallin ...

thru air so cold
so bit/ter it
heats on the way
d
o
w
n
(kept feet firmly
planted, rooted
to solid ground;
knew where they were
all times, all hours,
no surprises
to throw me off
the edge, screaming .. . ...).

Then came that day.
Not given a
choice: Burn. Or jump.

Hell of a note.


Man not equipped
with angel's wings.





Not created
to soar like birds.








And yet, I flew ...

(c) 2007, Revised, 2009, Karla Dorman

P.T.S.D.

... nerves firing off one by one until
they all overamp: overloaded by
fear until the body shuts down
from sheer exhaustion. Desperately
wanting to confront the beast on its
own turf, but unable to get past the

memories of six tornadoes and a
roof gone over the years that have
left an indelible footprint on the
psyche. Screaming arguments
with loved ones who don't understand
the terror that comes in nightmare

and in each storm that may or may not
come -- it's in the forecast. Where
to go, where to hide?!? Underground
shelters not an option. Teeny tiny
claustrophobic sized half baths don't
count. Supercells with grapefruit

hail and twisters approaching from
the northwest galvanize feet to
action -- get a ride to the local
hospital to wait out the weather --
it's just another day of living with
Post Traumatic STORM Disorder --

(c) 2009, Karla Dorman

www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuvBVemIP1w

What a Mess

The clouds, stacked neatly
on the counter of sky. There
they sit, one on top of the other,

waiting for me to put them
away. I say, Not my turn; Mom
thunders, shivering them onto my

head. Whoops. Mom made a
mess. Wanna bet the next time
she uses the paper plates, instead?

(c) 2009, Karla Dorman

www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbz-xJEpTQ0

Pre-Dawn Thunder

covers of sleep pealed
back by alarm clock of light
and pre-dawn thunder

Image, (c) 2006; poem and video (c) 2009, Karla Dorman

www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YF0Zz6Y-Dg

When Is A Rainbow Not (4/16/09)

irridescent
translucency
points eyes upward -

the Master's touch
painted with a
delicate hand -

not a rainbow.
related to
a sun's halo -

this lovely band
stretching across
the noontime skies.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=JR-UDCK5PKk

Image, poem and video (c) 2009, Karla Dorman

Or I'll Huff and I'll Puff -

forward motion, stopped, except for
the trees. they're writhing under the
onslaught of wind, twisting this way
and that. the walls are shuddering,
cracking in pain, and i, within, tremble
as well, wondering if they'll hold, they
and the roof -- pray so. sounds like
it will pop off any second now -- how
long will the electricity stay on? not
long, if it keeps howling like it is -- a
wolf at the door. now i know how the
three little pigs felt in their flimsy shelters ...

(c) 2009, Karla Dorman.

Making the Best in a Bad Situation (5/7/5 format)

a blood red eye glares
down through a malevolent
haze of smoke and dust -

it wants me. can see
it in its expression of
absolute hatred -

because i've been bought
by the saving Grace of love,
i do not worry -

if worse comes to worse,
i will meet my Heavenly
Father, face to face -

until then, Lord, give
me strength. You are my refuge.
You are my shelter -

(c) 2009, Karla Dorman

Say A Prayer

Say a prayer: wildfires burning all
around, the sun hidden behind a
pall of smoke and haze. Smell of
flame heavy in the lungs, burning
eyes to red. Emergency bag is
packed, just in case. Nerves
jangle with every siren, heard: is
it us this time? And Saturday into
Sunday, could be running from
severe storms. Enough, Lord -
weary from worrying. Be with us -

(c) 2009, Karla Dorman

Dip

The first foray into the deeps always
the worst. The tentative step in oh,
it's cold water as it tastes feet, grabs at
ankles, nibbles its way up to knee,
thigh, crotch, waist: can't do this,
can't. The back twitches as the wet
creeps further up the spine; nipples
held back by a thin resolve of color
shrivel in protest. Body shivers with
the dread of okay, now. N o w. On
three. One. Two still too -- O N E.
Two. Threeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
OH that's cold. Teeth are chattering,
skin turning blue and goosefleshed:
but doesn't that water feel ... g r e a t?

(c) 2009, Karla Dorman

Night Light[ning]

Darkness, invisible -- whitewashed
pale, illuminated from without and
within for a brief, intense moment
before shrouding itself back into
secrecy. Another burst -- a storm
approaches from the West; thunder
rolls. And I, under, watch the drama
unfolding overhead: night light[ning].

(c) 2009, Karla Dorman

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ix8GY3Ruh9g

80 Degrees of Separation ...

Nearly 80 degrees of separation
between the highest temperature
and the lowest in the state: 100
degrees in Brownsville, 22 in
Amarillo. In between it all, severe
storms! Blizzards!! Wind!!! A
l o t of that. Front blew in and in
three hours, the temperatures
dropped 27 degrees: from 69 to
42. No, make that 40. This is nuts
-- after the tornadoes to our north
last night, snow may accumulate
to a couple of inches along the
damage path. (Thank God, no
major injury or deaths.) We might
get a flurry or two here! Spring in
Texas. Gotta love it. Never dull:
and the temperature now? 39.2!!

(c) 2009, Karla Dorman

Meringue Skies

Meringue: that's what the sky
reminded me of: clouds beaten,
whipped to a frenzy of activity,
overhead. Upper level dynamics
combined with a stalled front to
the south rolled in the storms
on the winds of turbulence. If
not dessert, mountains or ocean
waves. On of the strangest
(scariest, in a beautiful sort of
way) cloud formations I've seen:
and tomorrow, could do it again.

(c) 2009, Karla Dorman

www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rPKyr57v_E

Lesson Learned From Mockingbird

LESSON LEARNED FROM MOCKINGBIRD

Greet each morning with -

a song in your mouth,
a smile in your heart,
a dance in your step.

Celebrate being a l i v e !!

It's a new day.
It's a new Season.
Spread your wings and fly!

(c) 2009, Karla Dorman

www.youtube.com/watch?v=HI5IDS3sioQ

Opalescent

shimmering colors
remind me of angel's wings -
opalescent clouds

(c) 2009, Karla Dorman

He Opened Up the Heavens ...

The shhhhhhhhh of rain
silences all in its falling -
none dare disturb the holy
hush except a rumble of
thunder echoing through
celestial corridors of sky.

Congregants below kneel
in thanksgiving, for God
heard their cries for mercy:
He opened up the Heavens
what had been sewn shut -
beautiful, lifegiving r a i n!

(c) 2009, Karla Dorman

One to Remember

The sky filled with fire tonight: vivid
red, orange, yellow flames of cloud
raged against an ashen sky before
the night reluctantly put them out.
All the fire department could do was
sit by and watch as it burned itself
into our collective memories ...
this will be one to remember.

(c) 2009, Karla Dorman

Do Angels Cry

Novenda sings a song called "Cry," one of the most haunting melodies I've ever heard. I've copied the lyrics here for you, as well as my response.

"Cry" (c) Novenda

where am i
lying in the dark
here am i
lost without a part
can they see me
can they hear me
cry
it makes me wonder
if angels cry
it makes me wonder
if angels cry
for me ....

(my response)

I hear you
lying in the dark
I see you
with every lightning spark
wanting to reach you
wanting to free you
trying ...
you ask the question
if angels cry
and let me answer
yes angels cry
for you ...

(c) 2008, Karla Dorman

www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJwtql6nqcA

Spring Observation (2/6/09)

Ribbons of robinsound unspool
in southerly breezes. Clouds quilt
silver filaments across the blue of

sky. The sun rubs its healing balm
over the land, comforting frozen
limbs with the promise of Spring ...

(c) Karla Dorman

Tornado On Lone Grove Street, written by WKN's Tanner B.

My WKN friend and fellow Burlesonite, 16 year old Tanner, wrote a poem. I share it with you.

TORNADO ON LONE GROVE STREET

The sirens go off blaringly,
No one knows what to do.
They get to the center of their house,
So they can't here the moo.

The tornado barrels through town,
The damage is immense.
A truck lies in the trees,
And not by common sense.

Daybreak comes around,
Everyone sees it all,
There is nothing left
Except for a soccer ball.

The people are devastated
Both in body and in mind,
They will rebuild soon
But not without remembering this night.

(c) 2009, Tanner Bankston

Dance With The Devil

Living where we do, you'd think
underground shelter would be
mandatory: nope. Not cost-
effective or the ground shifts
too much or they flood -- have
heard all the excuses as
to why none, here. What is one
life worth? What is the price for
a little peace of mind? Too
damn much, apparently. And
so, we dance with the Devil
and pray he doesn't kill us
in the middle of the night:
what other choice do we have?!?

(c) 2009, Karla Dorman

This Wasn't In The Forecast

Look: up in the sky: it's a plane,
no, it's a bird, no, it's convection:
towers firing off of the dryline,
blowing the lid off of the cap like
it is nothing. Getting ready to
pop: got to. They have already
boxed us in. Just need a kicker
to set the fireworks in motion -
the instability is there, dammit.
This is the hardest part: waiting.

(c) 2009, Karla Dorman (2/4)

Chaser Convergence

When stormclouds poke their heads over
the horizon, a strange phenomenon occurs:
a Chaser Convergence. Eyes glued to the
latest severe weather outlooks and radar
screens, they chirp excitedly over the
possibility it could happen, making locals
nervous with talk of baseballs and tornadic
hooks. They flock together on the roads
crisscrossing the plains; you can tell them
by their hail-dented plumage. And there
they sit, biding their time, waiting for just
the right moment to take wing after the
perfect storm. Don't mind seeing them,
just don't want to see them in my backyard!

(c) 2009, Karla Dorman

Ice Storm!

The world's longest game of "Red Light/
Green Light" outside: frozen in "stop"
position. Ice has stalled everything in its
tracks. Sidewalks are a skater's dream:
even if one doesn't know how, they will
learn or fall, trying. And forget the roads:
cars going everywhichaway but straight.
Drivers think they know how to drive on
ice: they forget ice drives them, unless
one has a Zamboni. It's slick as a whistle
out there: the weather ain't fit for man or
beast. Best to stay in on days like this ...

(c) 2009, Karla Dorman

New Blog Heading

I have GOT to thank my friend, Zach at WKN, for creating my header. It's AWESOME! Thank you!

Now THIS looks like a StormSpinner's Blog. :) Appreciate it!!

Karla.

SDS

... hard to maintain cool-osity when
the weather a death-ridge of non-
activity: high pressure entrenched.

Wake up to clear conditions, go to
bed to same: nothing in the forecast
discussion to indicate change. Hard

to chase when the gear shift stuck
in neutral: want to go, go, GO!!
Storm, down season in full swing ...

(c) 2009, Karla Dorman (1/19)

B u s t e d !!

Pulled out camera, pointed it upward. Sky
was furious: must have gotten out of the
wrong side of the cloud, then stumped its
toe. It muttered a curse under its breath:
could have sworn it said something about
my mother and trucks. Reminded it that I
had video and audio capabilities and that it
was under oath: one chase that was a bust. =]

(c) 2009, Karla Dorman

Spring's Artistry

Under a blanket of white,
Spring waits for the moment to
Burst forth. Life, temporarily stilled.
But when it happens, it will blossom in a
Thousand shades of color, a sight w e l c o m e d
For those weary of Winter's monochromatic brush ...

(c) 2009, Karla Dorman

H o p e (5/7/5 Format)

The pulse of life throbs
even though Winter would kill ...
renewal of Spring

(c) 2009, Karla Dorman

IceStorm (5/7/5 Format)

stenciled against dark
poetry etched on the night
with a frosted pen

(c) 2009, Karla Dorman

And No Hazard Pay!

The sky is furious: it mutters and
stomps around, feet making a
fearsome noise. It throws pillowed
clouds aside in its fury, tossing them
into the four winds. And I, under,
duck, while capturing its tantrum in
poetry, photography, and now, video:
a PorchChaser's job is never done.

(c) 2009, Karla Dorman

Delivered

... for years, thunder roared, imbuing
nights with terror, crocheting days into
knots of fear so tight I couldn't unravel
one from another. Black skies snarled
with paleness of cowardice does not a

pretty afghan make. The chains were
uneven, most showing the reverse of
Nature: the ugly, phobic side. Wasn't
until a camera, prayer and the hook of
poetry delivered the beauty in Storm,

allowing me to gain control of my life.
Look close for the purple threads of
lightning; feel the gentle cover of wind
against your body. Instead of dwindling
away, I now praise Him when it rains!

(c) 2008, Karla Dorman