Sandy, Andrew, Gloria... does anyone name droughts?

Reject the anthropomorphic act of naming storms, hurricanes, tsunami, or other atmospheric/oceanic phenomena. Bestowing a unique and personal name grants an identity. That identity then becomes target and focus of feelings caused by itself in all that experience it.

The circumstances of life on earth (bad storms) is a part of what it means to be here. However transforming nature into a person that cannot be outcast or brought to face justice, or any other social compensation creates an underlying metaphor of an unconquerable foe.

We can't get back at the weather, only bear it out, recover, and move on. I'm not saying that we shouldn't get upset about weather-related tragedy, but when we call it "Uncle Dave" we allow ourselves to wonder why Uncle Dave could be allowed to get away with all that, and we're left holding that emotional load of blame.

goofy

what makes a man slide headlong through a puddle- not more than an inch deep and three feet long- just to knock over an orange traffic cone?

what makes a completely different man run brazenly into speeding traffic without looking- but slow down and carefully climb over an 18" concrete divider?

maybe it's the heat. the natives are restless today!!