Out

There was no journal entry yesterday because there was a power outage just before nine o'clock in the evening, just as I was getting ready to write something. We got through all those storms and the wind and all without any problems, and after it calmed down and we had a dry day that even brought a bit of sunshine the power went out. I have no idea why. All I know is that I shivered in the dark for close to three hours, and then the electricity came back on. The computer, having been shut down rudely, had to check itself for ticks, and finally became available again a short time ago.

Of course I've totally forgotten what I was going to write about. Maybe it was nothing. Maybe without the power outage I wouldn't have anything to put in this entry. It was, after all, the most interesting thing to happen here in quite a while. At least as far as I can remember, which isn't very far anymore. I have a vague impression that my memory used to be a lot better, but maybe it wasn't. That's another thing I've forgotten.

It's a good thing I've got a gas range, as I was able to heat up a can of soup for dinner, and to heat some tortillas over a burner as well. Later I finished off a carton of ice cream which I feared might melt, but it was only soft, not melted, and the power came back on not long after, so I guess my other frozen stuff probably survived. However, I am now overstuffed with ice cream, and will have to replenish my supply when I go shopping.

And I will have something to go shopping with, as the nephew has finally paid the money he owed me. And that's another good thing, because Safeway finally has pumpkin pies on sale this week. I wait all year to get pumpkin pie at a decent price, and I'd have hated to miss the sale. Now if only I can find a pair of pants to wear.

Brrrr

PG&E gave me a second power outage last night. It hit a couple of hours after the first one ended, and again I was using the computer and it got shut down hard. Thanks, PG&E. The machine had to check itself for ticks again when I turned it back on today, but thankfully it hasn't failed entirely yet. A few more shutdowns like that, though.... And the second outage only lasted ten minutes or so, so I didn't have to get re-frozen.

Speaking of electricity, my back fence neighbors have left their back porch light off for the first time in weeks. That would make it a good night to watch the sky, except that it's the coldest night so far this year, and there are also thin clouds which, while they don't completely hide the stars, do obscure them somewhat. It's not worth freezing just to get an occasional unobstructed glimpse of them.

Since I'll be able to replenish my supply tomorrow, I think I'm going to make some cornbread tonight to go with some spicy southwestern soup. I've found them to be a good combination. I was going to have it last night, but the power outage prevented me from using the oven and I had to settle for corn tortillas with the soup. That's a good combination, too, but not as good as cornbread.

But first I should check the mailbox. I keep forgetting, and my PG&E bill is probably out there. I fear it will be a YIKES! bill this month, given how much I've had to have the furnace running. Ah, well, it can't be helped, and at least having the furnace on is cheaper than having frostbitten toes amputated.

Time to let this poor, abused computer get some rest.