>From John Rathbone at jrathbon@dreamscape.com Antoinette's story of her grandmother and explaining thunder reminded me of back when I was a lad, growing up along the banks of the Hudson River. There was no reason for me to doubt my grandfather when he assured me it was just Rip Van Winkle and "the little men" bowling, " 'way up there!" I am sure that there are many similar "explanations", each varied and colored by each family's experiences and history! Makes for a rich folk lore, no? I regret losing Bill S. from the list, for I found him knowledgeable and helpful to me. But, even with his sense of humor, that last one was a bit too much. As in a situation where any family which may squabble among its own members, let any "outsider" step in with his/her own observations and -- Wow! -- what a united front he/she will face! And I, too, agree with Bill Cribbs. And, a reminder to me, too: watch out for your own particular brand of humor, John! Not everyone understands or appreciates it! And, BTW, Season's Greetings to all! >From Antoinette: " I still today love >the story of my grandmother saying that the horrible loud scary sound of >thunder when I was a small child, was a soothing "wonder" of "It's just a >covered wagon going over the clouds". We all knew that people travelled way >back when by covered wagon. We didn't stop to think of how in the world did >that covered wagon get up in the sky <LOL>."