I learned some really important life lessons about danger growing up in Lubbock. It’s basically everywhere. Some threats are real. Some are massively exaggerated. Others are just silly.
Whether you were afraid of quicksand swallowing you alive or a piece of gum living in your stomach for 7 years, here’s a list of things that totally freaked out Lubbock kids in the 90s.
1. Tornadoes
This is a big-time number-one in Lubbock. We were all totally certain a tornado would scoop us up and carry us away. It was probably the only real fear we needed to worry about out of this entire list, truthfully. But, yes, Lubbock kids thought tornadoes were coming for them sooner or later.
2. Quicksand
Really thought this one was going to be a bigger issue when I grew up. Turns out, you run into quicksand relatively few times in your life, if ever at all. Bummer. No dramatic rescues happening in your future.
3. Swallowing Gum
Someone’s brother’s friend told you that if you swallowed gum, it would live in your stomach for 7 years…or forever. For some of us, this was a big stressor. According to science, all of that was BS. You can rest easy, but probably shouldn’t swallow any gum…just to be safe.
4. The Bermuda Triangle
Nothing was more fascinating or terrifying to a 4th grader than hearing about the mysteries of the Bermuda Triangle. Why were we so worried, though? We live in West Texas. We were all little idiots.
I’m still a little concerned. Whatever.
5. Razor Blades and Drugs in Halloween Candy
Dumb. This one was the silliest of them all. If you’re still afraid of this, you’re a certified suckaaaa.
6. Piranhas
Yes. In Buffalo Lake. In our above-ground pool. Wherever they might be lurking. You never knew when one was going to get a taste for your toes.
7. Lightning
It was quite scary in Lubbock, so I think this fear is valid.
8. The Chupacabra
Some of my friends swore they were real. I’ve never seen one…but there’s still time.
9. Spontaneous Combustion
Hey, it could happen……