Shaking on Six

by Pa Rock
Cultural Explorer

Most evenings I read in bed for thirty minutes or so before going to sleep.  Two nights ago as I was finishing the last few pages of Tree of Smoke, saying good-bye to some fictional friends, my bed began to suddenly sway.  The motion lasted only seconds, but it was quite unsettling.

That was the second earthquake that I have experienced.  The first was longer, and harder, and also on Okinawa - forty years ago.    Apparently earthquakes are fairly common here, but usually so slight that people don't even notice.  This tremor was also slight, but by the time it worked its way up six stories and shook my bed - I noticed!