The earth can kick your butt

Why do people think they are so important. I'm not talking about the ones who sit around like eagles or cats simply knowing to themselves that they are the greatest, I've started ignoring them long ago. I'm talking about the odd basic instinct to let nothing stand in the way of whatever they are doing without even thinking about it. The reason it has come to my attention recently is all the complaints from everyone in the rest of the country now that they actually got some real cold. I've heard lots of humerus stories but the people freezing to the gas pump is the quintessence. When it is fifty below zero and people go to pump gas just like they always do they suddenly find that metal at that temperature has unique abilities. If there is any trace of moisture on your hands it freezes instantly and welds you to it. Everyone has heard of this right? Well, the Alaska natives invented a solution to this long ago and imparted it to the settlers who passed it down from generation to generation and so we have a ready quick method of fighting this plight. We wear gloves. I know, I know, that would mean changing your sanctified daily routine. Man has conquered the world and mastered the elements. We need not fear what the earth will throw at us. We will show a brave and heroic front by sticking to what we know, that man is best, by sticking to the fact that nothing stop us or even slow us down, by sticking to gas pumps. People think they can do whatever they want and nature will dodge them nicely. Mount St Helen's comes to mind. I don't care how small it was supposed to be I am not going to go stand on a hill to watch the next hill over blow up. It ended up blowing in their faces and they went there to see it. People have asked if we are worried about Redoubt. Um, no. When it blows I plan on staying inside for a few days and not going to sit on the cone and look down the throat to watch it. It would be impressive no doubt, but only for a moment. It will shake the earth, but that is nothing new. In fact it already has. We had an earthquake a few weeks ago that even people in the lower forty eight heard about. It was pretty big and I was asked if it was scary. Not really, just a little thrilling. It woke me up sometime in the night, I don't know when, and for a moment I wondered if I should go outside. It didn't get any crazier so I stayed were I was and fell asleep before it ended. It was soothing actually, like sleeping in a car. So all in all, the earth can kick your butt so don't taunt it. And remember, it isn't so bad to change your all-holy routine to allow for things bigger, scarier, and cooler than yourself. Volcanoes, cold snaps, and God comes to mind.