Back to the Future!

On this memorial day weekend, we experienced a 23-hour power outage due to storms.  Now we have a generator, so the freezers stayed frozen, refrigerators refrigerated,  pump pumping, and we were able to have hot showers and flush!! (for those who do not have a well system, trust me that you want a generator or nothing at all works!).  The generator does a great job--it is huge, and was acquired after the multiple- day inconvenience of the "east coast power outage".  Now, we can survive.  But it does not support our energy consuming lifestyle.

It was 23-hours of back to the future!  We had to wash dishes by hand (was mid party when the storm hit), no TV (yes, I do remember a time with no TV ), no Internet, vacuuming, laundry, or cooking (yeah!!)  It was HOT (90) with no air conditioning (and yes, that was not something that we routinely had until I was an adult!).   We could not print to our wireless printer, watch netflix, or find out when the power would be restored at the power company web site.

We used candles and flashlights, and listened to the tree frogs, while we made somemores over Sterno.
We were awakened in the middle of the night, when the batteries ran out on the alarm system.  We went out for breakfast.  Popped into a store for some A/C and window shopping.  And returned home to the darkness and the quiet.

Just the buzz of the generator.  A hot breeze on the porch.  A magazine to read.  A novel for 4.  Some knitting for me.  Taking advantage of the light.  A little weed pulling (something you don't need electricity for), and some hand mending.   It was a though time was standing still as we were sweating away on the porch---a luxury that I did not have in my youth--a screen porch.  At least the bugs were outside.

It seemed like more fun then---before we knew about all the modern conveniences that make our lives "easier".   You went out to move the sprinkler---there was no "system" on timers.  I guess we were used to being hot, although I remember lots of fans to move the air--but we have only one very small fan left in our possession, the rest being deemed unnecessary by central air.  You opened your garage door with an "umph"--not a button. 

Just when we were about to try to find a wi-fi hot spot to find out what was going on, the power came on--reluctantly at first.  Startled the dog, who seemed to have adapted better than the humans!  All of the touch lamps were on, all of the auto switches defaulted to on, the timers a mess, the clock blinking a menacing 12:00!!   For just a second, I almost wished it hadn't come on---wait! What was I thinking.   Turn on the news to see what was up!  Throw some soap in that dishwasher, full of dishes from last night, and turn on that air conditioning!!  Yeah! 

So although we long for the simpler times, really, our lives are much better now.  Not better living through chemistry---as the commerical said in my youth....but better living, period.  Made easier with electricity. 

So thank you to the power company work crews who were out on this hot holiday weekend to restore my power--so that I may conspicuously consume it in comfort!!!

Independence!!

It is already July.  Never mind that last January we could not wait for 90 degrees.  I am not ready.  The summer is fleeting--too fast.   Just like the weeds that are growing out of control, so is my "to do" list!! 

Yesterday, a very welcome day off, was wonderful.   I finished a baby gift--for a baby born last November.   Good thing it is not size specific!!!!   I cleaned up a few of my closet shelves, finding my summer tanks.  I put some stuff away.  I enjoyed the distractions as they presented themselves---even though I had a list, it was downstairs, and I was not.....so I could rationalize the ADD-ness of "rolling" through the day!!

Today, I started on the weeds around the air conditioner.   There are not many....but it is always sunny there.  I had good intentions.  Got up early.  Then there was the shawl that I needed to "tink" (unknit)  earlier this week--begging me to be put back in order.  There was breakfast, getting dressed, and next thing I knew, I was in my sewing room, whipping up little projects for Florida baby----until it got complicated, and I remembered my promise to the weeds.

I got out all my "stuff". Put on my "gear"--sun glasses, sun screen, hat, gloves----and headed toward the side of the house where the offending weeds surround the air conditioner.....but first, I should trim these branches, then I need to cut back this ornamental, and I should bag up these weeds from last week that I pulled, but left on the patio---just in case we are hosting some fire works tomorrow that I am not aware of.  And, OH my!!  there are branches from the apple tree nearly touching the ground.  

Now I have to go back to resupply my refuse bags.  I finally arrive at the air conditioner---took about an hour and a half to wander the 100 feet to the location.  I manage to get the offending ornamental grass whacked back so the condenser can get some air (would like to meet the person that thought that this stuff was a good idea for this side of the house!!)  I pull a few weeds--the easy ones.   I grab handfuls of the dead grass from last season that somehow (?) we never got around to burning--either in the fall or the spring.  Now I need another bag. 

It is now noon.  HOT.  And I decide to take a break.   In another hour, I will make myself go back out there---honest!  If I can focus on the weed removal and spread the new bark just around the air conditioner, I can cross something off the list!!!

Of course, while I am sitting here enjoying the air conditioner, I have added a few more items to "the list"-----it is going to be a long summer!!!   Fortunately, it doesn't really matter that I am totally at the mercy of ADD when it comes to my to do list---I have found that the jobs are still waiting for me when I get back around to them!!!