John James Audubon, b. 1785. Naturalist, artist and author of Birds of America. Did you know he was born in Haiti?
Charles Francis Richter, b. 1900. Author, inventor, seismologist, inventor of the Richter scale to measure the magnitude of earthquakes. Would you rather live in earthquake country, tornado alley, or on the hurricane coast? I’ve lived in tornado alley, and it’s scary because tornadoes are so unpredictable; they can change directions very quickly, touch down, wreak havoc, and then disappear. You get used to the idea, however, and tornado watches are commonplace and often go unnoticed by native West Texans. I now live in the path of a possible hurricane, and although you can see them coming, it’s difficult to know when it’s necessary to leave—as evidenced by Katrina and Rita. I’ve never lived where an earthquake is likely, and I never want to live there (California). The idea of the earth no longer being firm and trustworthy under my feet is beyond scary; it’s just not right.
Bernard Malamud, b. 1914. American author of novels and short stories, including The Natural and The Fixer. I’ve never read any Malamud, but my mom took a Jewish American literature class once upon a time, and I typed her papers (thirty plus pages long on a typewriter!). So I feel as if I am at least acquainted with Mr. Malamud’s work.
Patricia Reilly Giff, b. 1935. Author of light reading material for children, especially girls. I’ve read a couple of her books, and they’re OK.
California’s not so bad. We don’t really get earthquakes all that often…not like tornados and hurricanes that seem to arrive year after year. Also, earthquakes are soon over, and you don’t have the stress of watching them coming.
I’ve always lived in FL and I think hurricanes are my preferred natural disaster. At least nowadays with our fair warning. Earthquakes and tornadoes come too suddenly for my taste.