We're Not in Kansas Anymore, Toto!

On Thursday June 4th, Portland, Oregon experienced a crazy weather phenomenon that reporters could only refer to as "tornado-like". I know, a tornado in the forest...crazy, right?? Needless to say, the city was a bit unprepared for what was to come. 

First, a huge cloud of dust enveloped the Willamette Valley. Then came the winds. Power lines were knocked down, trees were falling over, and trash was blowing about in a circular motion. And that's not even the craziest part! Earlier in the day, temperatures were in the low 80's...within minutes they dropped 10-15 degrees.

Some very unfortunate trees near Bridgetown on Swan Island.

Next came the rain. We're not talking about a spring shower. These were ginormous (yes, a made-up word) pellets of water that were literally coming down horizontal! People were glued to their TV sets to see where the storm would go next. Lightning bolts were crashing overhead as if the gods were attempting to destroy us. Cars, who were not used to the sudden rains, were flipping over on the freeway...all in a matter of hours. I think you get the point...it was pandemonium!

This guy didn't even see it coming!

During the entire experience, I couldn't help but think that people were making a big deal about a small thing. Heck, people in Kansas experience weather like this several times a month. The more I thought about it, the more I began to relate this whole storm experience with the economy. There are corporations collapsing, there are jobs being lost, and there are entire industries crumbling. Do I mean to say that these things aren't a big deal? Absolutely not, they are detrimental to many people. But the reality is that this recession is much like Portland's storm. We couldn't avoid it, we couldn't run from it, all we could do was wait until it passed and then go outside to clear away the fallen branches.

What are you doing during the storm? Are you hunkering down in your basement waiting for the worst to end? Or are you toughing it out, helping out those less fortunate, and clearing away the rubble to get ready for the sunshine? 

Peace be with you all and I wish you the best as you go out there and fight the storm!

-Kyle