SPRING CLEANING

2022

"Staycation!"

Never gave much thought to that word. Now wondering, where, when, and who came up with the term. Back in 2008, staycation became the word of the year.

Last week, after answering my co-worker's question, she exclaimed, "You're doing a staycation!" Recalling, no response was given to her unwelcomed remark. Waking up, these were the thoughts that crossed my mind.

Staying home and getting things done, was far better than spending money on gas, hotels, and more souvenirs to add to the clutter. Besides, a trip wasn't in the budget.

However, Spring cleaning was on the agenda. Sleeping in this morning was so wanted and needed, my dream of a clean decluttered home was within reach on this second day of Spring. The dream was going to be a reality with everything sparkling clean, and everything in its place.

8:58 a.m.

"Well, it's 9 A.M.!" Time to get a quick bite to eat and start with cleaning the bedroom at least that's the plan. Already, the sun was shining through the blinds, and the din of the radio with light jazz wafting through the house.

10:00 a.m.

Gathering the cleaning supplies along with a white plastic laundry basket, it was time to tackle the cleaning project. Moving around the room in a circular direction and picking up everything that didn't belong in the bedroom, the items were placed in the laundry basket.

After the blinds were dusted, the windows were cleaned. With everything dusted from ceiling fans to baseboards, the thrum of the vacuum cleaner overpowered the jazz music from the radio.

Indeed, this wasn't going to be a lick and a promise. As a matter of fact, the bedroom and the whole house were going to be deep cleaned. Stripping the bed and cleaning the mattress, vacuuming under the bed between the bed slats presented a challenge but in the end, determination won out. Exhausted! It was time for a break.

12:00 noon

Resting was definitely warranted, the berries in goat yogurt proved to be a quick and perfect lunch. Checking on a load of laundry in the washing machine, it was gently loaded into the dryer and another load of laundry started in the washing machine.

Going back to the bedroom and arranging the bed back to its original state, the final touches of clean bedding were added. The living room was next. Again, moving in a circular direction, items that didn't belong in the living room were placed in the laundry basket.

With dusting completed, the furniture was moved in order to vacuum under everything, the living room was almost deep cleaned. The vacuum was turned off.

Admittedly, the wailing sounds sent goosebumps up and down my skin. It was the civil emergency siren sending out a steady wail. The sounds that are given during a storm or tornado alert.

3:30 p.m.

At first, it was dead silent outside. Quickly, it became windy! The trees moved with the wind violently bending to and fro. With the winds picking up speed, the train sounds began, feeling like the locomotive is headed straight towards the house. Knowing, the railroad track is a good mile from my location.

Where to hide? Decisions! Stay calm! Deciding between the inside closet and the inside guest bathroom, the guest bathroom was chosen as a hiding place from the storm. The bathroom doesn't have windows, but the full glass mirror looked to be problematic. From the guest bedroom, the twin bed foam topper along with a down feather mattress was pulled into the bathroom. Sitting in the bathtub, the foam topper and feather mattress were arranged with me under them and the bed items over top of me. Awkwardly, it was something. Hopefully, it would provide some protection.

Banging and crashing, the storm was overhead. The house is beginning to shake.

4:30 p.m.

The tornado touched the ground. The house lifted off. A beam or something hit my head. It feels like blood is streaming down my face. Will they find me?

Will they find me in time?

Writer's notes: Thank you for reading. In the Vocal Writing Prompts group, Julie Smith's prompt word was "seasons."

My favorite season is Spring and my choice of the season to write about. After the first day of Spring, multiple tornadoes hit North Texas last week. The prompt and the event inspired and influenced my fictional story.