HIGH WINDS AND FREEZING RAIN KNOCKED OUR POWER OUT FOR AWHILE TODAY

AMERICAN GOLDFINCH

Howling winds and rain came in the night whipping our tall pine trees around like a stack of noodles in a blender.  Temperatures began dropping mid morning turning rain into sleet.  It was about 11:15 when our lights flickered and the power went out.  No lights, no water, and no electric furnace to keep us warm. 

 

COWBIRDS

Luckily for us we have a gas fired free standing stove in our sunroom so we spent part of our time sitting by that nice warm heat source reading.  A few days ago I had prepped our rain barrel for summer so luckily we had a good supply of rain water in it.  And of course it being daytime we had lots of light and didn’t have to revert to candles.  We also knew if push came to shove we had our Motorhome for back-up.  All’s we had to do was fire up the rig’s generator and we would have power, lights, and heat.  No water though because I had winterized the coach awhile back.  And simply by adding water to the toilet bowl we could have bathroom facilities as well.  We have used our various RV’s over the years under similar storm related circumstances so it’s always a handy option to have especially if one has to revert to a handy option.

STARTED OUR DAY OUT WITH RAIN THEN FREEZING RAIN

 

GETTING WATER FROM OUR RAINBARREL AND FEEDING  BIRDS IN THE FREEZING RAIN

Luckily my laptop computer was fully charged so I was able to begin tonight’s post but the real benefit and sanity saver was my music library.  I don’t handle silence very well so I soon had a bunch of good old tunes rolling out of my laptop.  Choosing my soft sounds of the early 60’s I blissfully strolled down memory lane totally losing myself in my yesteryear life.  ‘Willow Weep For Me’ by Chad and Jeremy, ‘Poor Side of Town’ by Johnny Rivers, ‘Spooky’ by the Classics IV, to just name a very few.  I don’t think back to those years a lot anymore, well not until I hear the music from those years that is and at times it is hard for me to know the person I once was all those decades ago.  Mostly all good memories up to about 1965 whereupon the roller coaster ride took off and memories darkened.  Isn’t it amazing how quickly music from the past can instantly re-ignite and trigger so many memories from so long ago. 

LOOKS LIKE THAT SNOW IS A LITTLE COLD ON THE TOOTSIES

‘HEY WHAT’S THAT BUNNY HOPPER DOING OVER THERE

I DON’T KNOW THIS LITTLE FELLOWS NAME

DARK EYED JUNCO GETTING A LEG UP ON THE WEATHER

Nearly 5 hours later right on the stroke of 4 o’clock our power came back on.  Electricity is one of those many things ‘we all’ take for granted and it isn’t until we temporarily lose it that we realize how importantly vital it is and how much we miss it.  Sure felt nice when our furnace kicked in and warmed everything up again.

IT WAS LIKE ALFRED HITCHCOCKS ‘THE BIRD’ WHEN THIS FLOCK OF COWBIRDS CAME SWARMING IN

GLAD I WAS HERE TO HELP THESE COLD AND WET LITTLE FELLERS OUT WITH SOME LUNCH

Our early Spring storm backed off about mid afternoon so I slipped out and replenished our birdfeeders.  What soon followed was an absolute bird frenzy in our front yard.  The usual guys were still here of course but I was surprised at the influx of newcomers and especially the swarm of Cowbirds. 

‘HEY RALPH WHERE DID ALL THESE BROWN HEADED BUZZARDS COME FROM’

‘I DON’T KNOW ALICE BUT NOW THERE’S A BLUE HEADED ONE OVER THERE’

‘COULD YOU ASK HIM TO LEAVE PLEASE

I DID ALICE BUT NOW HE’S MOONING US’ (THE BLUE HEADED BIRD IS A GRACKLE)

‘I THINK HE HEARD YOU’ CAUSE THERE HE GOES’

‘YA I TOLD HIM REAL GOOD ALRIGHT!!’

In my Friday post I included a link for Steven Dempsey’s Antelope Canyon photos but I had the wrong link which takes you to Steven’s subscription page which of course is fine too but here is the correct link for his Antelope Canyon Photos.  By the way, in 2016, one of Steven’s images was chosen by IKEA for their art collection.  Check his website to see which photo that was.

As I publish this tonight I can see and hear winds snapping trees around and there is still some freezing rain in the air.  This storm is in two parts and we are on the tail end of the first storm with the second freezing rain storm due to roll in Sunday morning and have another go at us. 

GOLDFINCH

GROANER’S CORNER:((The best Norm quotes from "Cheers"!

'What's shaking Norm?'
'All four cheeks & a couple of chins.'

'What's new Normie?'
'Terrorists, Sam. They've taken over my stomach & they're demanding beer.'

'What'd you like Normie?'
'A reason to live. Give me another beer.'

'What'll you have Normie?'
'Well, I'm in a gambling mood Sammy. I'll take a glass of whatever comes out of that tap.'
'Looks like beer, Norm.'
'Call me Mister Lucky.'

'Hey Norm, how's the world been treating you?'
'Like a baby treats a diaper.'

'What's the story Mr. Peterson?'
'The Bobbsey twins go to the brewery. Let's cut to the happy ending.'

'Hey Mr. Peterson, there's a cold one waiting for you.'
'I know; if she calls, I'm not here.'

'Beer, Norm?'
'Have I gotten that predictable? Good.'

'What's going on Mr. Peterson?'
'A flashing sign in my gut that says, 'Insert beer here.''

'Whatcha up to Norm?'
'My ideal weight if I were eleven feet tall.'

'How's it going Mr. Peterson?'
'Poor.'
'I'm sorry to hear that.'
'No, I mean POUR!'

'How's life treating you Norm?'
'Like it caught me sleeping with its wife.'

'Women. Can't live with 'em....pass the beer-nuts.'

'What's going down, Normie?'
'My butt cheeks on that bar stool.'

'Pour you a beer, Mr. Peterson?'
'Alright, but stop me at one....make that one-thirty.'

'How's it going Mr. Peterson?'
'It's a dog eat dog world, Woody & I'm wearing Milk Bone underwear.'

'What's the story Norm?'
'Boy meets beer. Boy drinks beer. Boy meets another beer.'

'What's going on Mr. Peterson?'
'The question is what's going IN, Mr. Peterson?
'A beer please, Woody.'

'Can I pour you a beer Mr. Peterson?'
'A little early isn't it, Woody?'
'For a beer?'
'No. For a stupid question'

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