Knocked out
Hurricane Ike knocked out Columbus. Like many of my neighbors, we’re without power and have been since Sunday when gale-force winds (gusting up to 65 mph) came through and threw down trees and powerlines. We sat on the front porch and watched the trees in the field behind the houses across the street whip up then slow as the trees closer in whipped up and slowed until finally our own trees were whipped into the wild frenzy. We watched it over and over and Madison, caught up in the energy of the storm, danced and sang and spun.
I’m at my mom’s trying to catch up on work on her computer. She doesn’t have wifi so my laptop (with all my needed passwords) is useless. I’m trying not to panic about all I have to do and can’t do. I’m trying (and not succeeding) in being zen. I mean, there’s not much I can do about it right?
Even though I’m frustrated, I’m grateful, too. Grateful that the weather is cool and sunny. That our water is clean. That reports say we’ll have power back by midnight Sunday at the latest. That my mom has power, a full ‘fridge and an open door policy for her kids. We’re luckier than most people in Ike’s (or Gustav’s) path and don’t I know it!! (Pennie hasn’t heard from her mom yet — she got her own power back last night.)
The kids think it’s a madcap adventure with M&Ms (Grandma has a full bubblegum machine and a tin of pennies at the ready) and unlimited wii. They’ll remember it fondly just like they remember the blizzard that took our electricity and sent us to spend Madison’s first Christmas at Brett’s parents and the way Noah remembers the ice storm a couple years back because we toasted marshmallows in the fireplace.
And the work, lord knows, will still be there when the power comes back. A week late maybe but folks understand especially the folks here in central Ohio with me.
Life happens. What can you do?
Yeah, it’s not so bad. Our hot water tank is powered by gas and the pilot light hasn’t gone out — so we can shower in hot water in the dark! I’ll post pictures soon of the beautiful oak tree that we lost in the back yard. Good news: I’ve always loved pine so this spring, I’ll aim for the the biggest pine trees we can afford and start on a little pine oasis to fill the gap where the majestic oak once stood.
I have Airport and power if you need it (we got ours back yesterday), as long as you don’t mind being inside of a house that looks like gale-force winds hit it on the inside. If Dec indeed starts school tomorrow, it will be quiet here for at least a couple of hours. If he doesn’t, I may take him to the zoo as consolation. Seriously. Let me know. Glad to have you. We freelancers need to stick together!
Also… my mom was told that Bexley wouldn’t have power until Weds., but it suddenly returned to her last night, so I think AEP is operating on low expectations.
I am glad you are all safe. I feel like the local crisis vibe is just so very midwestern: laid back, friendly and helpful. I haven’t met anyone who is overly cranky or upset, even those with serious property damage. We can barely get to our driveway because of all the downed limbs, but life goes on. If only I had internet access at home, I wouldn’t mind the dark.
Wow…Take care!
I’m glad you’re well.
Can’t you bring your router from home and install it in your mom’s computer? Or just get her to go buy one for future use. You can split the cost, it’s not *that* expensive, right? (about 70-80 bucks?).
I’d be going crazy without WiFi, although being online by itself would make it a bit better.