There's a big wind coming, Martha. Better take cover.

It's the middle of February but it feels like March outside. The temperature this weekend has been in the 40's and 50's, we're alternating between bright sunshine and rainy clouds, and this afternoon, the wind is a little gusty. Actually, little is a lie.

It's gusting up to 50 miles an hour and is so noisy at times that I can't hear the TV. Occasionally there's a strange whistle like the wind is trying to summon a dog. I peeked out the window a while ago and dry leaves and twigs were twirling and tumbling down the sidewalks. I didn't see a dog, but that doesn't mean one didn't get caught in a gust and blown to the next block.

It doesn't help that I saw that movie last night about the people who chase tornadoes. I don't think you can have a tornado while the sun is shining, but this is Indiana and I know it will if it wants. Indiana has an unnatural affinity for tornadoes.

Did you know the national Storm Prediction Center, which apparently keeps track of the past as well as the future, says that we've had WAY MORE tornadoes reported this year than average? In January and Februray 2007, there were 116 reported tornadoes, but so far 291 tornadoes have been reported in the nation this year. (The actual count is slightly lower than the reported count.)

And did you know that The Disaster Center ranks Indiana as # 1 for tornado risks in the nation? Well, our score is 4.25 and Massachusetts is 4.25 so I call that a tie. (The smaller the score, the higher the risk.) I think it's odd that Massachusetts which is far from Indiana, not only in distance but in topography and snootiness, has the same propensity for big winds as Indiana, while Illinois and Ohio, which flank us to the west and east respectively, have scores greater than 8. (In case you're wondering, Alaska with a score of 49.75 is last.)

Anyway, it's windy and I keep singing the song "Let's go fly a kite."

By the way, The Disaster Center, has all kinds of information about torndoes and survival safety tips, which reminds me of a question I have. You know how you're advised to take cover in a ditch if you're out driving and can't find other shelter and you spot a tornado? My question is, "Aren't you likely to drown if you're in a ditch?" I know, I'd rather take my chances with the ditch, too. I'm just asking.

By the other way, if you didn't know that tip about the ditch and you're driving in, around, or through Indiana, you really should visit The Disaster Center or read the NOAA Tornado Guide.

Which reminds me that those silly storm chasers in the movie last night kept trying to take cover in rickety old farm buildings. That was just stupid. If you thought it was more exciting than stupid, visit a Storm Chase (and notice the warning that they aren't liable for any stupid actions you might take, like trying to chase a tornado.)