(there are two fluffy fawns grazing outside my glass door as I write this)
You know I love winter . And, yay for me, it came early, this year--significant snow before Thanksgiving, lots more rain, and more snow around New Year's Day. Then came an unusually dry, sunny January--rather warm with only a little rain. Bulbs began to flower, some trees in town were beginning to blossom out. They should know better.
Winter has returned, as we thought it might. Last Thursday and Friday we probably logged nearly a foot of snow. It's gorgeous, of course--the photos you see were taken in the yard on Friday. All white, quiet, soft--and heavy. Branches break, trees fall. One always hopes they don't fall on any cars, houses or power lines. But, predictably, they do.
Last year, we had a few short power outages of less than a day duration. Three years ago, though, there was an 8-day trial-by-sticky hair. It's never all that serious, of course. No need to call the Red Cross or FIMA. A nuisance, but not life-threatening.
Last Thursday evening, snow piling up outside around about bedtime, the darkness and silence descended suddenly, (though not altogether unexpectedly) as a curtain in a cartoon. The lights, TV, furnace all extinguished instantly as we sat on the sofa watching John Stewart. Tom's surge protector upstairs and the smoke alarm in the entry both croaked out pathetic, half-hearted screeches before going quiet. Will it come right back on? Sometimes it does. We waited. Not this time.
So, here's the routine:
1. Grouch around a little--a few seconds only is allowed for this (Tom sometimes takes more).
2. Grab a flashlight--they're stored strategically. Head over to the pantry on the other side of the kitchen to get the battery-powered lanterns down. What's wrong with these things? The same one can be bright one time, dim another, then back to bright. Breathe on them and they go out entirely. It's old fluorescent technology. Time to go LED.
3. Distribute said lanterns--in this case, one goes by Tom's side of the bed (for puzzles), one sits in the kitchen, the other two are set in the living room, though they can move around a lot.
4. Pull out a gallon of water to put on the kitchen counter (we keep eight jugs filled). NO using water from the faucets. We're on a well/pump system (which doesn't work without power) and we save all the water that's already in the house pipes for flushing a single toilet downstairs--only every so often, if you get my drift. This time it really paid off in that we never had to pour water into it to flush--nor did we have to melt snow for that purpose. We're getting good at this part!
5. Assess the wood situation. This time, not so great. We had about a day's worth of heat for the living room stored up. Everything else was outside buried in snow--i.e., frozen and wet. We'd have to figure out something.
6. Remember to keep fridge/freezer access to minimum. But, with all the snow outside, and overnight temps in the 20s, keeping things cold is usually not a problem. This outage--three days--meant that we really didn't have to move the food. One advantage of being a vegetarian?--no meat to go stinky.
6. Call PG&E. We waited til morning, this time. We knew they knew. No sense in calling until they could get crews out for assessment.
7. Plug in the old, coiled-cord princess phone. The cordless ones don't work without power, of course. And, this time, the phone line was still functional. We try to save to cell phones for when we're away from home, since the only way to charge them is in the car. Sometimes, one of us takes some reading or puzzles out to the Suby and sits while phones or a laptops or e-readers charge.
8. Schedule? Do we have to get out for some reason? Does Tom need to find an internet cafe to work? In this case, we were essentially snowed in, at first, although we can always chain up to get out to Greenhorn, where the county plows. But we have this amazing neighbor who usually gets around to plowing everyone out after a day or two. For us, it wasn't necessary to leave until Saturday, when we were scheduled to help with a Hospitality House fundraiser. By then, Scott had plowed, but, due to more snowfall, we still needed chains to get out. Still, no worries there.
9. Other stuff. I had all of my jeans and sweats half-dried in the dryer, not to mention a wet washer-load I'd forgotten about that afternoon. I laid the pants out to finish drying (I hoped). We used the jug water to wash our hair before the Saturday event. Drying hair is tougher. I sat in front of the wood stove for a couple of hours. It was all wild and weird, but dry by the time we had to leave. Even the jeans were wearable.
Probably the trickiest problem we had this time, was that wood issue. The maul/wedge system I had been using to give us a pile of usable wood (which was all but gone) was not up to splitting the thickest oak logs (of which we have many), and we had just been lazy about hauling out the chainsaw to finish it. So, I went foraging on the property early Saturday morning and found a bunch of twigs and old lumber from defunct furniture I had disassembled--all wet/frozen. Picture me, crunching around in the snow, tugging on downed branches and digging through a big, snow-covered scrap lumber pile. Still, with about a month's-worth of newspaper, we were able to get the fire roaring well enough to actually burn the wet wood and also some of those really fat, unsplit logs. I think we might have come close to Eagle Scout-level fire-wizard status! Of course, it takes constant attention. Not that much else gets done. We kept the living room in the mid-sixties. The rest of that floor (including the kitchen) hovers in the mid-fifties, while downstairs (bedrooms, studio) it's about 45. We mostly stay upstairs.
Our activities during these power vacations are reading, puzzling and knitting. And eating. The kitchen stove is propane, so we can cook, or make popcorn. Fortunately, it was a long weekend and Tom didn't have urgent work to do, so he could chill at home.
When we contacted the PG&E outage recording on Friday morning, it had no specific predictions other than to tell us to prepare for "2 to 4 days" of no service. In the end, it was nearly three days. Not too bad, really, atc. We were just getting ready to go out to the movies and dinner (evenings are the most depressing times to be at home) when, around 5pm Sunday, the lights, furnace, fridge and TV all popped back on. Cacophony! We went out, anyway, but extra happy knowing we could flick a light on when we returned.
By the by, the movie, Unknown, was about a "B", in our estimation. I think we've been spoiled by the Bourne movies in this genre. Stupid car chases. Also, as an aside, our 41st wedding anniversary was the next day, Monday. We went out to Diego's for some lovely Latin American fare. 41 years?!! Yikes!
Anyhoo, there's another big Canadian storm bearing down on us as I write. It should begin this evening, which is why there was the distinctive sound of a chainsaw heard in our yard after lunch..
So, for the second year running, I submitted a drawing for a competition to determine the look of our local county fair logo. It has to conform to the theme of the year. This year, the theme (also a contest--which I also entered to no effect) is "Gold! Rush to the Fair!". I'm mildly surprised that it (or something very like it) hasn't been used heretofore, given that the Gold Rush is pretty much our stock in trade up here.
So, for the logo, I fell back on a version of the stereotypical Gold Rush miner-guy. They liked it! Yay! The art will appear on the posters, programs, and various other promotional materials. If you've read any of the summer blog posts, you know that I'm a Fair Junkie. We (Tom and I), are both Fair Junkies, actually, but I LOVE this little county fair we have up here. Last year, I went every day of the five. This year, I get to go (and park!) for free, plus I just received my $250 prize check. Sweet deal. Here it is:
Also, by way of a musical recommendation, we went to see the Scottish group, Battlefield Band on Saturday night. It was so outstanding, I just can't do them justice. Fabulous musicians, amazing music! If they come to a venue near you, don't let the opportunity slip by to enjoy this crazy good band perform. You're welcome! http://www.battlefieldband.co.uk/
MEANWHILE, what have the good folks of Nevada County been up to lately?? Gee, it's been awhile. How to choose...
"7:58 p.m.--A caller from McKnight Way and Freeman Lane reported a physical fight involving Ethan Hawke. The men doing the beating were shapeshifting. the actor Neville Brand also was involved. [I usually don't print these--and there are many--but the specter of shapeshifting actors from different eras ganging up on this poor soul grabbed me for some reason]
"8:41 p.m.--A caller from the 100 block of Stewart Street reported tenants who had been evicted were possibly throwing furniture, slamming doors and using a chain saw to destroy an apartment. It was quiet when officers arrived; the noise might have been a movie that had been turned down." [SO many questions here--but maybe a "Home Alone" moment?]
[Among other TV-related incidents--]
"1:40 a.m.--A caller from Carpenter and West Main Streets reported hearing a man yelling and screaming. He was found to have been celebrating a new television a bit too loudly." [Let's hope this guy doesn't ever get a new car]
"2:26 p.m.--Several callers from Highway 49 at Gold Flat Road reported a hot tub rolling down the highway. It was picked up by the owners." [more like Gold "Pretty Steep" Road. Hang on to your round stuff!]
"7:59 p.m.--A woman who might have been drunk reported that someone her age shouldn't be allowed to use a cell phone." [in her case, probably a true statement]
"12:55 p.m.--A caller from the 29000 block of Highway 49 reported a dispute possibly becoming physical. A man just head-butted another man's vehicle. The man said he didn't like the way the vehicle looked, so he hit it with his head." [he has disliked a few too many vehicles, I imagine...]
"4:44 p.m.--A woman from the 13000 block of Desperado Drive reported a man was accusing her and her husband of assaulting him with a hologram machine." [those things are heavy...]
"4:28 p.m.--A caller from the 100 block of Neal Street reported a man in red and white camo took a large bottle of Jack Daniels." [Red and white camo? Was he trying to hide in a candy cane factory?]
"12:50 p.m.--A woman from the 13000 block of Sierra Woodlands Court reported trespassing Thursday night. Someone drove across the lawn and left strange grooves in the grass." [our version of crop circles. Call SETI ]
"7:07 p.m.--A caller from the 100 block of Neal Street reported a blue SUV pushing juveniles through the parking lot in office chairs. They were gone when officers arrived." [Right. Next event: copy-machine luge]
"6:42 p.m.--A caller from the 100 block of Joerschke Drive reported a domestic dispute with the boyfriend lock in the garage." [and would that be the cause or solution to the problem?]
"2:41 p.m.--A caller from South Auburn Street reported a man possible carrying a Glock. It was a PG&E worker testing equipment; he did not have a gun." [another from the department of "yes, you can be too careful"...]
[and one more from that same chapter...]
"9:09 p.m.--A caller from the 200 block of Sutton Way reported someone might in an apartment. No one was located. It might have been a shampoo bottle falling in the shower." [...but this does qualify her for a job at the TSA]
"7:40 a.m.--A man reported his brother might be stuck in a storage locker. He was uncooperative about providing any more information, however." [Hm, now that we thought about it...]
"9:31 p.m.--More than 20 calls were received from a phone with an address in the 19000 block of Penn Valley Drive. The owner of the phone was located in Yuba County and was break-dancing and 'pocket-dialing'." [...still, probably an unconscious cry for help]
More soon!
We've helped Dylan and Rachel move their stuff around many times. Indeed, there's a fairly reliable rhythm to the frequency with which they change addresses. They could do it themselves, of course, but it's kind of nice that we can still be somewhat useful in that sort of capacity at our stage of life. Something about it says we still have a few brain cells and knees that work. Feels good. Of course, I never want to move our stuff again. Ever. But I don't mind at all helping other folks move theirs, especially our kids. It's good, quality time together, for one thing. For another, you get to see their stuff. With Rachel, one can usually find some great clothes (hand-me-ups?) before they're bundled off to Goodwill. With Dylan one tends to pack up a lot of cool little Christmas stocking-stuffer gifts (from us) that never got used. Sometimes, with predictable permission, I just take them back. Goody.
At the end of January, however, it turned out that they both had to move--the same weekend. As preparation, we spent the day in SF on Sat., the 22nd, to get the lay of things and to deliver a stack of boxes--a small percentage of those leftover from our own move almost four years ago--to each household. Rachel had started to pack and I helped the cause a little while Tom worked with Dylan on business stuff. A complicating factor in both transitions was that, by that late date--a week before M-Day--neither as yet had located a place to move into.
Ah. In San Francisco, one almost has to set out on an all-out, full-time, military-style campaign, financials in hand, to seek (via Craig's List) appointments and submit applications for units at outrageous prices in competition with half the city population, who, at any given time, might also be looking for a place to live. One has to be quick and ready to decide at first sight, not to mention pass inspection by very picky potential landlords. Rachel is brand new into a very challenging job and had little time/energy for such an effort. Dylan, of course, had deadlines he couldn't let slide.
Rachel had finally landed a great place by Tuesday and was, thankfully, arranging for professional movers. Also, wonderful friend and former roomie, Jason, was coming to town (from DC) for a working visit Moving Weekend. I think the "working" part might have been inadvertent, on his part, I don't know. Meanwhile, Dylan had seen a few places, but none seemed to be appropriate.
We rolled into town just before noon on Friday. Thus began a crazy-quilt three days of moving activities, including renting a van and finding storage for most of Dylan's stuff-including three ginormous sofas--and dodging rain. Jason and Rachel were getting most of her stuff ready for the movers and there was only a little bit of kitchen stuff-my specialty-for me to help with on Saturday. 
Coincidentally, Friday was also my birthday, so we slowed down that evening long enough to enjoy a fabulous West African (mostly Senegalese, I gather) meal at Bissop Baobob hosted by the kids. That's True Friend Jason, there, leaping out of his seat at the restaurant--probably just too happy at his luck to be celebrating my birthday in addition to spending his entire weekend packing boxes. He's a Star. Tom also got off a great shot of Dylan and Emi!
The following evening, Emi made fabulous home-made pizza and a wonderful salad (green with apples and butternut squash!) for the four of us at her place. She's got the knack. Dylan added his own touch, which is always to crack a few eggs onto the top of anything vaguely resembling pizza. It's good! You should try it! You break them over the pizza about half-way through the baking (about 10 minutes to go).
By late afternoon on Sunday, we were enjoying the fabulous vistas at Rachel's new place after the movers had gone. She's now in the Bernal Heights neighborhood and her deck and roof offer amazing views of downtown, the bay, BOTH bridges, etc., etc. See her happy face coming up the ladder from the deck to the roof?
That's because she hasn't thought that much about putting things away, yet. Dylan continues to look when he has time. We left San Francisco before dark, leaving the City more or less intact after our furious activity of the weekend. Another special treat was a stop at Rubio's--comfort food!--in Fairfield on the way home, where we arrived just in time to watch another episode of a new fave, Downton Abbey, on PBS. See how easily we are amused?
A fun and satisfying weekend, start to finish!
(there are two fluffy fawns grazing outside my glass door as I write this)
