I was working on a post about how I've been single-handedly protecting the Truckee Meadows from a big earthquake by carrying earthquake insurance since 1985. I was going to write that I've concluded we'll never have "the big one" as long as we're paying the premium every year and, conversely, if we cancel our coverage "the big one" will hit within minutes and our house will be destroyed. (I've been planning to keep the insurance until we have a 7.0 and then cancel it, being reasonably sure the tension in the earth has been released for the rest of our lifetimes.)

But my earthquake insurance hasn't protected everyone. The 4.7 quake we had last night was big enough to damage some local homes; check out the photos the RGJ has on line. That's some serious damage to the Phillipses' walls. I hope they have earthquake insurance and enough cash to pay the deductible.

As for the books and other items strewn all over their house—mine looks like that most of the time anyway, so how much worse could it be after an earthquake?

Seriously, I've been putting off clearing off my shelves (and bolting them sounds like way too much work). I can't store anything on the floor because I'm in a flood zone, so I'm running out of room to put things. I heard today that if an earthquake damages the dam at Boca we could be flooded. I guess it gives me a flimsy excuse to do nothing, but of course I'll be kicking myself if (when) "the big one" hits and I'm being bombarded by books, ceramic statues and my dog's ashes.