This ground,
This little spot on earth that we call home
…..shook yesterday.
Trembled. Quaked. As in earthquake; a 5.8. The epicenter was a little less than a hundred miles from our home.
In southeast Virginia, this is rare indeed. The last time an earthquake of this strength happened in our area was in 1897.
I was at home, alone, yesterday and can only describe those few seconds as weird. I actually seemed to hear more than I felt. At first, I thought we were having a tornado, because I thought I heard wind blowing. But when I looked out, there was no breeze.
The movement of this chandelier in our foyer was my first clue as to what had actually happened. It continued to shake for several minutes after the earthquake. (So did I.)
One of our local news anchors said that all the dogs at a nearby doggy day-care had taken cover just before the earthquake occurred. So once I calmed myself down, I went in search of my own four-legged emergency alert system.
No, she hadn’t “taken cover”. That’s one of her favorite spots for bird-watching. I inquired of her as to whether she had sensed anything strange was about to happen. I don’t speak fluent “cat”, but I think she replied that all circuits must have been busy.
And now, we will begin preparing for Hurricane Irene. Unlike yesterday’s earthquake, should Irene come our way, we’ll know to be expecting her.
these days of mine 
And I am MUCH more worried about HER! Definitely a crazy and unusual feeling for all of us yesterday! You guys be safe with Irene coming, and I guess we will play Nannie’s Birthday party by ear…
And we thought our little place in the world was quiet and boring!!
At least WAVY TV 10 had something more exciting to report than a poor, scared bear in a tree! The quake deserved the hours of coverage they gave BOTH of the stories!
We didn’t feel the quake in Harrodsburg – but our nieces in Philadephia did! An earthquake and a hurricane in the same week! That must be a record!
The folks and creatures at These Days of Mine were in my thoughts yesterday. Thank you for the update. ♥
I was thinking of you all yesterday and glad to know you (and Sundae girl) are OK. It was sure a weird feeling here in West MI… kind of an “out of body” experience.
Hunker down, Irene’s a-coming and I’ll be pulling for you.
PS .. your home is beautiful. Just as I pictured it – classy, neat, cozy. Just like you Dianna!! 🙂 MJ
Dianna I’m so glad you all fared well with the quake – we did the same…..Sundae looks rather “non-plussed” by the whole thing – Sam was under the basement couch for the duration! Your home is gorgeous! Hoping Irene bypasses your beautiful spot there on the water……batten the hatches and stay safe.
Hugs………..Pam and Sam
Bill was disappointed. He was on the lawnmower, didn’t feel a thing and said later, “Our first earthquake and I missed it”. He won’t miss Irene though. Watch out!
Glad all is steady…friends around us here felt it, but I didn’t. Will be thinking about you as the storm heads up the coast.
Dianna, when I heard the quake was in VA I immediately thought about you and wondered if you were safe and no damage. Things have definitely been unusual this year!
It was one of the strangest ‘sensations’ I’ve ever had. I sort of just looked up at the ceiling and the walls & thought: “we don’t have earthquakes here..” Definitely a new one. I can’t imagine one that lasts minutes …..
must have been a very odd sensation for humans and animals alike. glad no damage to your place. 🙂
you described what i felt/heard perfectly. i thought there was a vehicle on our roof……everything shook/swayed. i thought my vertigo had returned!!
we also now prepare for irene. today i will prepare by floating in the pool!!!
I too, thought about you guys yesterday when I heard about your quake. Strangely enough, the hurricane you got headed your way sports the same name as my grandmother and it was at her house in the high desert of Southern California that I experienced my first earthquake back in the 1990’s. It was a 7 point something with the epicenter right down the road a few miles. Not fun. The aftershocks did me in! 🙂 Stay safe and dry my friend!
Glad that you’re OK in Virginia. We had a big quake west of us about two years ago — even though it was fifty miles away, our beds shook and woke us up. It is a really eerie feeling — an out of control feeling. I hope and pray that Irene goes out to sea and stirs up the nautical life, avoiding the shores of Virginia and South Carolina (where my two sons are).
Glad to see Sundae was not shaken by the shaking, and the sun still rises and sets. 🙂
I’m glad you were okay! We live close to a couple of major faults. We’ve had several small ones, and hoping the Big One doesn’t happen!
Sundae, you seriously failed in your earthquake alert duties! Earthquakes are creepy and scary. After 20 years in California and many earthquakes I never got used to them. I hope Irene slows down before she hits shore.
I’ll be praying for you during Irene! Batten down the hatches!
I’ve never experienced an earthquake. I’m glad you and yours and Miss Sundae are okay!
glad you guys are ok! Sundae must have known that everything was going to be fine and didn’t want to throw off her routine for some earthquake! 🙂
I can’t imagine what the sensation was like. I’m thankful your home wasn’t damaged and that you DID stop shaking(!) It’s unbelievable how far from the epicenter the tremors were felt!
I’m praying that Irene will track further east, out to sea, and not be such a threat to your area and the rest of the Atlantic Seaboard. Sounds pretty bad for the Bahamas tonight. Prayers for everyone in the path of the storm!
I’m glad you all made it through the quake okay. I think Sundae girl knew you all would be okay other-wise I bet she’d run for cover too. 😉
My thoughts and prayers are with you all that Irene will pass you by. (((hugs)))
So scary, Dianna. Sending sunny thoughts your way…hope Irene just runs her course and doesn’t do any damage to your beautiful place!