Susan Sto-helit. Because in this world, after everyone panics,

Well, that was interesting. At 10:33, there was an earthquake which was felt all over southern California. It was a 6.4 in Searles Valley, which is up in Kern County, about 164 miles from Brea. We got long rolling waves, which was very disconcerting. Everything rattled and a lot of things like hanging suncatchers kept swinging for a long time, but I've found no damage so far.

We're watching the local news. Nobody's managed to get to Ridgecrest yet, but a lot of people in LA and Orange County were shaken.

Update: There are reports of structure fires and power lines down in Ridgecrest, 11 miles from the epicenter. Dr Lucy Jones of CalTech says this is the strongest quake to hit southern California since 1999.

Saturday morning, and I did not sleep much at all. At 5:30, I decided that since it was cat-feeding time anyway, and I was wide awake, I might as well get up. The cats are alternating between eating and begging for OUT. Since it's dark outside, OUT is definitely Not On.

I am trying to decide what to sort first - the jewelry boxes that walked off the shelf in the bedroom, or the studio. The jewelry boxes, which are of the tall with a rotating earring carousel sort, were upside down in a basket of mending. So no broken glass, but lots of earrings mixed in with the mending. That's probably more of a pottering with Car Talk project. The stuff in the studio, well, I guess I'll start by picking things up off the floor, then see what broke on the shelves, then decide what gets put back up and what doesn't. Too much, I think I'll start by making lists.

I had the local Eyewitless News on for a bit. Looks like there's some serious damage in Fullerton, apartments red-tagged and water mains broken, and of course lots of shots through glass doors of stores with exploded shelves in La Habra. I wonder if the paper is here yet? It's late, which is not surprising, as I think our delivery people live in La Habra. I do hope they're okay.

It's going to be a long day, but at least we aren't hurt, and there doesn't seem to be any damage to the house, although we'll know more when it's light.

By the way, Earthquake Weather? No such thing. Earthquake Weather My Arse.

We just had an earthquake. 3.6, a couple miles WNW of us, so right in the neighborhood and practically underneath us. There was a bit of a rumble, then one good sharp jolt and some rattling. So far, no apparent damage, but everybody including the cats were a bit freaked.

We've all calmed down now, but for a while, I'll be jumping every time the wind makes a branch creak or a big truck drives down the alley. It's California. Earthquakes are what we do.