I have always wondered why I was so much more of a naturalist than most of my family and people I knew. I have always loved thunderstorms, heavy rains, pretty much any bad weather. I always felt like the storms were talking to me. I remember when I was a small child, my Granny had a big huge house with a big huge screened in porch. Right next to her old fashioned ringer washer, she had one of these huge galvanized steel metal tubs on her front porch that everyone had to bath in. She did have a small shower inside, but with five little girls, it was much easier for her to fill the tub and toss us all in at the same time. While my four sisters and I were all bathing in the steamy hot water, thunderstorms always seem to creep up us while we were mid bathed. I remember my sisters screaming and jumping out of the tub, scared silly of the lightning and thunder. No me. My Granny had to jerk me out of this tub by my hair. I don't know why, but I distinctly remember the excitement and feeling of content, while laying in that tub, in the dark, pouring rain, thunder and lightning striking everywhere. I often drift back to those hot summer days in the countryside of Wisconsin. The lightning and thunder just exhilarated me! I always felt like it was talking directly to me. I was never afraid, but always felt so safe and warm. I know better now and I also understand why Granny got so mad at me for trying to stay in the tub with lightning striking everywhere. I felt this connection with nature since as far back as I can remember!
