23 inches..schools were already closed for what we called “records day”. The day between semesters where teachers finalized grades from the fall semester & updated winter class schedules as needed based on grades from fall. Mom had to go in since she was either a math/Science teacher or Counselor. She started teaching in 1958 & had a double major in college math & science. She completed MA in counseling and retired as a counselor all years were at the same high school..Uni. Of Chicago was about 1/2 mile away
23 inches! Chicago really doesn’t play around when it comes to snow. But your mom sounds like she doesn’t either. Sounds like she’s quite the lady. Did you go to the same school where she taught? I’ve heard mixed stories of people whose parents were teachers at their school—What was that like for you, John?
I posted a picture of the Chicago snow storm on 1967. I tried to copy here but it wouldn’t take, probably since I’m not an author in the Substack world.
We don’t get many here in the Michigan so I can’t really understand the feeling of the earth shaking. (Only from trucks rumbling down the streets & that probably doesn’t even come close. Love your art work.
As usual, you neatly tied disparate elements into thoughtful prose. But, I think you needed to go a step further into the ocean. Why do humans universally crave a special place? Some special sanctum that connects them to people, time and the unexplainable?
It was formed in the primordial soup. The boundary line of two ecozones is always the most productive for food that humans like. Think forest - prairie or sea - land or valley - mountain or primary river - secondary river. We could go on and on. It may even be wired into our bifurcated brain; left - right!
The bio-evolutionary crowd would agree I think that humans that were curious about these "edges meet" places survived at higher rates and we carry that imprint in our genetic baggage. And 17,857 generations later, one very intelligent primate named Thalia Toha pulled that idea out of the deep recess of her genetic past and reminded us all of it's strong pull on the human species.
Ah, but you are talking about edges and I was asking about sanctums. Perhaps the two are not that distant from each other.
No, but I read. Favorites are Sapiens, Kindred and My European Family. I studied history, archaeology, anthropology and economics back in the days when college students were trained to think. I am humbled to know that more discoveries have been made in the field of archaeology since I was in university than the 300 years previous. It’s like drinking out of a fire hose to keep up with all of the new stuff.
Great piece, Thalia! Life feels so much like a fault line so much of the time. I spent some time at the Ferry building last year on my first ever visit to SFO. I made some great memories there, and your writing just added a new and wonderful dimension. Thanks!
Mukta, I’m glad you got to visit the Ferry Building. Whereabouts are you based? There are other wonderful places around there, too. Did you get to visit Sausalito?
Great succinct piece Thalia. We live as though the natural world is risk free and need to be reminded it's not. Living in PNG we had many shakes but no strong quakes. The Huon Gulf would sometimes boil and bubble, but thankfully no tsunamis!
Lived there a lifetime ago - 1972:75 during and after independence. Beautiful country, wonderful people. Went back 2007 with my eldest son to trek Kokoda. Completely different socio-economic environment. Caught up in the capitalist spiral of greed, corruption, violence and being pillaged by western/asian countries/corporations for its natural resources. Sad.
Travelled overland from there all the way to the UK.
Fault lines… the Ferry Building, resurrected after the Loma Prieta quake ended the Embarcadero Freeway and the waterfront was reopened (although it took a couple decades before we finally had the Marketplace). And now, thanks again to the quake, we have resurrected ferry service, to and from all over the Bay ⛴️
Am realising that if there’s a tsunami in the Bay our North Oakland home about a mile from the water might well be inundated
You’re right Jack. I suppose it really does depend on the magnitude of the wave. Thankfully it sounded like you have another place on higher grounds? Also thankfully, big quakes and tsunamis only happen very rarely. But best be safe for sure. 👍
23 inches..schools were already closed for what we called “records day”. The day between semesters where teachers finalized grades from the fall semester & updated winter class schedules as needed based on grades from fall. Mom had to go in since she was either a math/Science teacher or Counselor. She started teaching in 1958 & had a double major in college math & science. She completed MA in counseling and retired as a counselor all years were at the same high school..Uni. Of Chicago was about 1/2 mile away
23 inches! Chicago really doesn’t play around when it comes to snow. But your mom sounds like she doesn’t either. Sounds like she’s quite the lady. Did you go to the same school where she taught? I’ve heard mixed stories of people whose parents were teachers at their school—What was that like for you, John?
I posted a picture of the Chicago snow storm on 1967. I tried to copy here but it wouldn’t take, probably since I’m not an author in the Substack world.
Oh wow, that is quite the snow storm. How many inches did it get to, John?
We don’t get many here in the Michigan so I can’t really understand the feeling of the earth shaking. (Only from trucks rumbling down the streets & that probably doesn’t even come close. Love your art work.
Probably a good thing, John, that you’re for the most part quake-free. Not snow storm free, though, I’m sure? 👍
Thalia,
As usual, you neatly tied disparate elements into thoughtful prose. But, I think you needed to go a step further into the ocean. Why do humans universally crave a special place? Some special sanctum that connects them to people, time and the unexplainable?
Agreed, David. What’s your thoughts on why exactly they need a place where two edges meet? 🙏
It was formed in the primordial soup. The boundary line of two ecozones is always the most productive for food that humans like. Think forest - prairie or sea - land or valley - mountain or primary river - secondary river. We could go on and on. It may even be wired into our bifurcated brain; left - right!
The bio-evolutionary crowd would agree I think that humans that were curious about these "edges meet" places survived at higher rates and we carry that imprint in our genetic baggage. And 17,857 generations later, one very intelligent primate named Thalia Toha pulled that idea out of the deep recess of her genetic past and reminded us all of it's strong pull on the human species.
Ah, but you are talking about edges and I was asking about sanctums. Perhaps the two are not that distant from each other.
This is very insightful David. Did you have a background in bio-evolutionary disciplines? 🙌🏼
No, but I read. Favorites are Sapiens, Kindred and My European Family. I studied history, archaeology, anthropology and economics back in the days when college students were trained to think. I am humbled to know that more discoveries have been made in the field of archaeology since I was in university than the 300 years previous. It’s like drinking out of a fire hose to keep up with all of the new stuff.
Those were some great classics, David. And you’re absolutely right, the discipline of learning is indeed, well, a lifelong discipline.
Great piece, Thalia! Life feels so much like a fault line so much of the time. I spent some time at the Ferry building last year on my first ever visit to SFO. I made some great memories there, and your writing just added a new and wonderful dimension. Thanks!
Mukta, I’m glad you got to visit the Ferry Building. Whereabouts are you based? There are other wonderful places around there, too. Did you get to visit Sausalito?
Great succinct piece Thalia. We live as though the natural world is risk free and need to be reminded it's not. Living in PNG we had many shakes but no strong quakes. The Huon Gulf would sometimes boil and bubble, but thankfully no tsunamis!
Do you still live there, Bob? Did you go there for work? PNG is beautiful in its own right.
Lived there a lifetime ago - 1972:75 during and after independence. Beautiful country, wonderful people. Went back 2007 with my eldest son to trek Kokoda. Completely different socio-economic environment. Caught up in the capitalist spiral of greed, corruption, violence and being pillaged by western/asian countries/corporations for its natural resources. Sad.
Travelled overland from there all the way to the UK.
Bob- You’re right on the atrocities of greed over natural resources and lack of protection. It’s quite a shame. Did your son enjoy the trek?
Loved it. 17 years later still says it's the best thing he's ever done. If you've got time you can read a bit about it here:
https://open.substack.com/pub/luzenz/p/life-where-the-wild-things-are?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=lb8d6
Fault lines… the Ferry Building, resurrected after the Loma Prieta quake ended the Embarcadero Freeway and the waterfront was reopened (although it took a couple decades before we finally had the Marketplace). And now, thanks again to the quake, we have resurrected ferry service, to and from all over the Bay ⛴️
Am realising that if there’s a tsunami in the Bay our North Oakland home about a mile from the water might well be inundated
You’re right Jack. I suppose it really does depend on the magnitude of the wave. Thankfully it sounded like you have another place on higher grounds? Also thankfully, big quakes and tsunamis only happen very rarely. But best be safe for sure. 👍