Powerless

At least we were for part of the day yesterday. Everyone in the village had received a letter from EDF (power company) telling us that our power risked being turned off for some period of time between 7:30 and 11:30 on Tuesday morning. I think most of us thought that meant 10 or 15 minutes at one point or another. It actually meant no power between 7:45 and 12:00!

Most of the local businesses had signs up that they would just be closed. This really did make sense as with electric cash registers, computers, etc. a lot of businesses were incapable of doing any commerce.

Chez Possum, I had walked the dogs and was in the midst of making breakfast when "P" hour arrived. I admit, I had thought that 7:30 meant 8:00 or 8:30; since when does anyone do anything like that on time? But, they were pretty on the dot. This meant --- HORROR OF HORRORS --- no coffee!!!! I do have a small, Italian, stovetop cafetiere, but I hadn't taken into account how dark the cooking part of our kitchen is on a rainy day like yesterday. I was pretty much bumbling around and decided that making coffee in the dark was beyond me. I was not a happy possum.

We had taken the precaution of going around the house unplugging appliances, turning off computers, etc. It's not the power going off that is the problem, rather the fear of possible power surges when it comes back on that is worrying. Even though we have a whole house surge protector, we decided not to take any risks.

That left us in a bit of a quandary as to how to spend our morning. Even reading was a bit of a challenge, as with the overcast sky, there wasn't a huge amount of daylight in most of the house. Instead, we decided to load the Horde into Beanie and do some errands that we'd been putting off. Just going back and forth to Pamiers meant 90 minutes would simply evaporate. Add in one or two small shopping errands and we figured we'd be home in time to enjoy electricity.

But EDF surprised us again by not keeping to their 11:30 deadline. I didn't want to spend too much time opening and closing the refrigerator or freezer and I had to face cooking on a gas stove in the dark. Just as I was preparing to try to cook without setting myself on fire, there was a sort of "click" and the power came back up! Oh joy!!! Happiness!!!! Delight!!!

For all our desire for a simpler life, I must admit I would not adapt well to a life without electricity.

Ciao for now.

Randy

More on the weather

It's just amazing how a few days of rain can change the whole landscape around here.

When I took the Horde out for its afternoon walk, I couldn't believe how high the Blau and the Hers were running! I crossed the Chalabrais this morning, but I was driving so I couldn't really look to see how that one is doing.

Still, it's really nice to see the water really flowing. In fact, the Hers was full of eddies and white water. I was glad that I had not let Shmoo off of his leash, as he really likes to go and swim when we're out (actually, I think he just wants a drink, but misjudges the water) and I think if he'd attempted that today he would have been swept away. That is a nightmare scenario I don't even want to contemplate!

We're supposed to have several more days of this, and I think we're all hoping this will help the drought situation. But, I don't know if it's a case of too little, too late or not.

Yesterday, JM and I watched a program we'd taped about five scientists who all have plans to try to stop global warming. Some of them were pretty wacky and expensive, but a couple seemed quite workable and easy to stop if things didn't go as planned. All of the scientists said that they hoped their plans would not be needed. I don't know though; when you talk to people around here and they tell you what winter used to be like, it seems pretty dire.

If we get to the point where the snow cannons can't make snow in the mountains because it's just too warm, what will the rest of us be living with?

Just a little something to think about on another, beautiful, rainy day.

Ciao for now

Randy

Rainy Sunday

For a change, Meteo France has been correct in predicting the weather. I suppose I shouldn't single them out, as no matter where I have lived, weather predictions seem to be a bit "iffy."

Still, it's nice when they get one right.

Indeed, the month of February seems to have felt a responsibility for the lack of rain we've had throughout most of the winter, and we've had several good, soaking rains so far this month. Strangely, no one seems to mind, because we all know that we need it. But, you don't see many people out in the streets, nevertheless.

I was delighted when, about 10 days ago, I saw that the Chalabrais finally had water running along its course for the first time since last spring. There is nothing sadder than a dry river.

So, what shall we do with our rainy Sunday? We did manage to get the dogs out for their morning walk before the heaviest rain hit; but I don't know if we'll be so lucky this afternoon. At least both of them seem happy to wait to be dried off with a towel when we come back inside; indeed, they actually wait for it as if it is a divine right.

For the rest of the day, I think soup is called for, then cuddling up on the couch with a dog or two, a blanket, a cup of tea and a good book. I don't think there's anything that feels more "rainy Sunday" than that.

Enjoy your day!

Ciao for now.

Randy