The Great Blackout of 2008

On Wednesday night we had some terrific thunderstorms in the DFW area. I somehow slept through the crashes and rumbles, but woke up when Leila called out from a bad dream. When I went to check the time in the kitchen, the stove clock was blank- the power was out. Later H told me it went out about 4 am. It didn't come back on until about 1 hour ago. That's 33 hours without power!
It was hard to get to work without my customary espresso on Thursday morning, but at least the shower was hot. Here at the office it was full power on. The kids went to school, and just H had to suffer through the day with none of his usual activities- no t.v., no computer, no microwaved coffee. He talked to the neighbors. When I got home, I made myself a quick sandwich, only opening the fridge long enough to grab mayo and turkey. It was, to say the least, a boring lunch. Later, I saw the neighbor from the other side and went over to talk to her. "I just bought groceries!" I complained, thinking of the ice-cream melting in my freezer. "So did I!" she commiserated. Later, when H had left to buy ice, her husband came by. "I just hooked up our fridge to a generator I borrowed, and you can hook yours up, too." When H got home he pulled out the extension cords and we fed one out the window, across the deck, and into our neighbor's back yard. H spent most of the afternoon over there, meeting other neighbors that had wandered outside, all with something to talk about, now. We finally met the woman who lives across the alley from us. H wished that this would happen more often to get people out of their houses and talking. I was just happy that the refrigerator was hooked up. The stove still functioned- it just has to be lit with a lighter- so I could cook dinner. We ate this backwards, starting with half melted ice-cream around 5:00 (Leila thought that was fun!) and then moving on to the main course much later. Candles provided enough light, and the sun didn't set until almost 8. I had Leila bathed and in bed before absolute darkness fell, and Ali wasn't far behind. I was almost disappointed when H hooked the t.v. up to the generator, but I did get to watch the end of the Miss Marple show I started last week. I gave myself permission to be lazy since I couldn't get on the computer, and just enjoyed the evening. It reminded me of growing up in the jungle, but with running water. (That's the worst thing to have go out.) H did hook up his computer and got to work.
When I woke up this morning I plugged my coffee maker in to the extension cord and soon had a hot shot of espresso. MMmmm. Friday's I wake up later, so I also had some sunlight to get around by. The kids could watch Sesame Street, and things were looking good.
The other setback yesterday was that my parent's flight, on AA, was canceled. (Big surprise.) They were meant to be spending today getting ready for Leila's party tomorrow. Their new flight, first class no less, is tonight, arriving at midnight. I just hope it isn't canceled. I guess its just as well that they didn't have to go through the big blackout of 2008 with us.
Now I just have to bake the cake etc. that I couldn't do last night when I get home.

neighborhood stuff

This afternoon I was working at our dining room table with the wood door open for light. The doorbell rang. Two teenagers that I didn't know were standing there. The boy asked to use our phone. I asked what was going on, and he said some guys were trying to jump him. He wanted to call his mom. I couldn't find the landline, so I gave him my cell. He called from outside, and I told them to wait for her on the porch. Habib said to ask them in, so I did, and they seemed glad to come inside. I think the girl was his girlfriend- they were standing huddled together. I tried to talk to them a bit. I told them they'd done the right thing to knock on our door and that there was always someone around. She was friendly, but he didn't really hear me. After a while they went back outside, worried that his dad wouldn't see them. Leila and Ali wanted to watch them, so we hung around at the door. Finally his dad came. The girl called a "thank you" but the boy still didn't say anything. They drove away.
There's lots of gang activity at this nearby high school, I guess. They go to the junior high next to it, and I'm sure there is a lot there as well. It's a little frightening. But I'm glad we were around to help.

Another fun Project

Go ahead. Sign up. You know you want to.
The Great Art House Print Exchange
The deadline dates are kind of wierd- the theme is: "I've never been inside my nieghbor's house." (That isn't true for me, totally. But I've only been inside 2.)
Anyway, this theme resonates with a BIG idea I've been working on for a few years. I have the web site, but I don't have the stuff to put on it. And more and more tendrils keep being added. Someday you'll hear more about this. Just look for the word neighbors.
Who is your neighbor?