Thanks for the compliments, Mike. Yes, I have lived an interesting life. I hope you checked out "Rocket City" on Amazon. Lots of interesting comments there.

It was the Sylmar quake of 1971 that really got my interest. I was in NYC when Loma Prieta hit, and so was only subject to the aftershocks, some of which were pretty harrowing. Our house sustained no structural damage (we lived in Seascape at the time), but a lot of minor damage inside to the house and some of its contents.

That is quite some story about your mother's house. I know restoring it to its pre-earthquake status must have been a nightmare, but thank goodness she had insurance. $110 K in structural damage is significant. I feel sorry for your sister. That must have been terrifying, especially if the house and contents received that much damage. Does your mother carry earthquake insurance to this day? Just curious.

Thanks for your comments,

Cathryn