I awoke, as usual, this morning without an alarm, about 5:17. I wasn’t too surprised to find the house without power. The electricity flickered on and off quickly a couple of times last night, so as a precaution, I slept with a flashlight next to my bed.
I found some candles and lit a few for light, then built a fire to warm the house and provide a little more. Fortunately there was still half a pot of coffee left over from yesterday which I was able to warm up on the gas stove.
I had actually shut down my laptop before going to bed, and have 2 fully charged batteries so all is not lost. Even without an internet connection, I can still open an editor and write. Writing is becoming easier for me, I am able to spend less time muddling over a single sentence and more time simply pouring out ideas and thoughts. I suppose, this is a result of writing more often, sort of like doing push-ups everyday and then suddenly discovering you can do more push-ups. But, I almost think it’s because, as I get older, I have more to say, and less people willing to listen.
As I sat beside the crackling fire, with my first cup of day old, warmed up coffee, I could hear the wind blowing across the chimney top and then the very slow, eire, sound of timber cracking, a tree or limb was falling outside under the weight of the ice. A moment later I heard the timber cracking sound again and went to the back door to see if I could see what was falling. It was out of sight in a neighbors yard. Even with the wind, the sound carried in the pre-dawn silence like a crack growing on a frozen lake. Popping and moaning slowly, from one side to the other. Pretty spooky. A few moments ago, the electricity flickered, and then came on for about 1 minute before going off again.
I have fed the dogs and the coffee is almost gone. The kids are still asleep. There will be no school today and Bonnie is planning on going sledding with her friends. Marcia’s flight from Las Vegas was cancelled last night so we are not really sure when she will arrive today. Sarah and I will probably try to get to the lake, hopefully there is electricity there. But first, I must drive Bonnie and all her friends, to another friend’s house to go sledding. Even before that, I want to check the tire pressure in all my tires. The car is in the garage and thawed. It has new wipers and a fresh treatment of Rain-ex.
The sun is rising now and I can see outside now. Better prepare for anything today.
I raised the window shade in the living room to discover the source of the timber cracking, it was large limb from a neighbors tree across the street. I took a few pictures. I am sure there are many trees damaged and down because of the ice. As I walked outside with my camera, you can here the chain saws running in the distance. My guess would be it’s Ameren UE trying to get the power back on. I can’t imagine anyone else having that much energy this frosty morning. My outdoor thermometer reads 24 degrees.
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