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Jasmine of Flourish
Aug. 12th, 2021 09:36 pmYesterday I was feeling pretty grumpy about the power outage. It seemed like quite a step down from the nice, functional house I prefer. But then I started thinking, what if I'd been living in a wet tent during the thunderstorm and downpour, and then some kind friend said, "Hey! Why don't you go stay at my cottage? There's no electricity, but there's a fine roof, and it will be nice and dry. You'll have running water, flush toilets, and a gas stove you can light with a match. You can get dry clothes and sleep in a dry bed with pillows. We have lots of candles and flashlights, and a battery powered radio, plenty of non-refrigerated food like soup and crackers, peanut butter and jam in the cupboard, and plenty of books and games to amuse yourself with." Well, then I would have thought I was in paradise! It's my favorite question: "Compared to what?" It all depends on which direction you're coming from.
This improved attitude lasted until I woke up at 2 am, to the persistent grumble of the neighbor's generator, and the faint stink of its fumes coming through the windows we'd opened in the vain hope of getting a breeze to stir the hot, muggy air, and had to use my asthma inhaler because I was feeling stifled. Oh well, it still beat sleeping in a wet tent. I know this because I've slept in a wet tent many times, and I'm happy not to be doing it again.
Imagine the joy at mid-morning, when the lights suddenly went back on! After only 36 hours! Yippee! I started feeling so much better as soon as the AC started working. I really hate to be so dependent on technology. I wince at my carbon footprint. But it is awfully nice to be able to breathe freely. Most of what I did today was tidying up after the event--emptying the cooler, checking on things in the refrigerator and freezer and throwing out some things that were dubious. We were right at the margin of what the manual for the big freezer said should be acceptable. So I'm pretty sure those food items are still okay, thank goodness. I even removed the batteries from battery-powered devices that don't get used very often, put them in a baggie and taped them to the device. That way, they won't be found all corroded next time they're wanted. I hope.
We were supposed to go and visit Deb this weekend. Alas, she called to say their power was out too, and more to the point, the Prussian has a terrible cold. The power came back later in the day, but he's still sick. We're putting the trip on hold to see if he'll get better. Meanwhile, the Sparrowhawk had already canceled a couple of social engagements--including one with a former colleague, who, without reading the Sparrowhawk's e-mail, sent one of his own to cancel the meeting because HIS power was out and he and his household were taking refuge at the in-laws.
After we ate some leftovers that were still good, we had a lovely Zoom with the Diva. It was so great to talk to her. She is looking wonderful after some much-needed time off work. As for the rest of the social events, I don't mind some of those cancellations. When the power came back on, I realized that I was still very tired. Everything made me feel like crying. I think I was just very stressed out. Absurdly so, but I couldn't help it. I just want to sleep tonight, and not in a wet tent!
This improved attitude lasted until I woke up at 2 am, to the persistent grumble of the neighbor's generator, and the faint stink of its fumes coming through the windows we'd opened in the vain hope of getting a breeze to stir the hot, muggy air, and had to use my asthma inhaler because I was feeling stifled. Oh well, it still beat sleeping in a wet tent. I know this because I've slept in a wet tent many times, and I'm happy not to be doing it again.
Imagine the joy at mid-morning, when the lights suddenly went back on! After only 36 hours! Yippee! I started feeling so much better as soon as the AC started working. I really hate to be so dependent on technology. I wince at my carbon footprint. But it is awfully nice to be able to breathe freely. Most of what I did today was tidying up after the event--emptying the cooler, checking on things in the refrigerator and freezer and throwing out some things that were dubious. We were right at the margin of what the manual for the big freezer said should be acceptable. So I'm pretty sure those food items are still okay, thank goodness. I even removed the batteries from battery-powered devices that don't get used very often, put them in a baggie and taped them to the device. That way, they won't be found all corroded next time they're wanted. I hope.
We were supposed to go and visit Deb this weekend. Alas, she called to say their power was out too, and more to the point, the Prussian has a terrible cold. The power came back later in the day, but he's still sick. We're putting the trip on hold to see if he'll get better. Meanwhile, the Sparrowhawk had already canceled a couple of social engagements--including one with a former colleague, who, without reading the Sparrowhawk's e-mail, sent one of his own to cancel the meeting because HIS power was out and he and his household were taking refuge at the in-laws.
After we ate some leftovers that were still good, we had a lovely Zoom with the Diva. It was so great to talk to her. She is looking wonderful after some much-needed time off work. As for the rest of the social events, I don't mind some of those cancellations. When the power came back on, I realized that I was still very tired. Everything made me feel like crying. I think I was just very stressed out. Absurdly so, but I couldn't help it. I just want to sleep tonight, and not in a wet tent!
