Toward the end of a scheduled PSPS (Public Safety Power Shutoff), there is a most welcome sound of a hoppycopter checking the lines before electricity will be restored. (Sorry, hoppycopter is what my kids called them, and it stuck.) One flew over yesterday afternoon, and the lights came back on about 8:30 last night. Ta da! It was only a month ago that we had the last outage, and I'm here to tell you this is getting old. Shorter days and longer nights make for some mighty empty hours. With the aid of one oil lamp and a flashlight, I finished two and a half books, so the time was not entirely wasted. One of the (many) frustrations is that power is cut due to predicted high winds, and we've gotten none here. There was enough of a blow on Sunday night to put some leaves on my porch, and that was it. I wish they would revise their grids. Life as I know it came to a screeching halt about 5:30 p.m. on Sunday. I'd done everything I could think of to prepare, but it mattered not. The wild things had drunk their basin dry and even though I'd charged it fully, my cellphone died. It costs a pretty penny, but it pays to keep a landline or I'd have no contact with the outside world, especially in an emergency. Ah well, life goes on. Flush the toilet and charge the phone and it's all good again.
Yesterday afternoon there was a continued rustling in the herb garden leaves that certainly got the cats' attention. Turned out to be a sizeable covey of quail passing through. More deer sightings and prints than usual. It seems when there is less human noise, the wild things are emboldened. For those of us who watch, it's a pleasant sight.
Along about the time we lost power, the temperature dropped. In the daytime, yes, but especially at night. Tinka said it was 27 degrees at her house the other morning. That's cold! I gave in last night and put the comforter on the bed. The cats had done their best, but when you still wake up shivering, it's time for more blankets.
It's grand to be able to flip a switch and...let there be light! (Until the next time.)
Stay safe. Be well.
2 comments:
Happy days are here again. ( FDR. in the 40’s]
Lots of threats from PGE but it was all for naught..power stayed on
But for some poor souls, it is still off.
I listen to the Armstrong and Getty radio show in the morning and they broadcast from Sacramento. Jack Armstrong and family live in Davis, and on Monday he said he had NEVER seen wind at home like there was that morning (and maybe some on Sunday too?) Guess it didn't make it up the hill to you. Sorry they can't predict it well.
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