Ice Storm, Day 3: Getting Creative with What You Have

When it gets to the third day without power one gets creative:

My current kitchen.  Even has chairs for guests!

We call these "the twins".  They've given us power for a few lights, fridge and freezer, the TV and internet.  A larger generator, which we call "Big Wally", has been set up to run the pump for our Well, but only on a periodic basis.

We use an open window in the family room to feed power into the house from "the Twins", sealing the crack in the window with Duct Tape (of course)!

Electrical cords running into the family room from the window.  This is how we have kept warm.  Initially it's hard to keep remembering to bring in wood or add it to the stove.  But as the days progress it becomes second nature. 

The snapping of trees put all of our animals on edge and phone calls from neighbors reflect frightened "stray" animals showing up on doorsteps.  Hank has barely left my side for the last three days.  Gus and Bob have been safe inside their stalls.

The cords from "the Twins" run into the kitchen where they connect to the fridge and a lamp from the living room which provides light at night.

This is the end of the road for the power cords from "the Twins", arriving in the dining room, where I've set up my laptop.  I actually worked here Thursday, completing a short notice project while trees snapped around us.  Note Hank the Dog under the table, sticking close to me.

As I finish this Post I can hear the generators and chain saws outside.  Neighbors are lending a hand to fellow neighbors, including my husband, out there helping move tree limbs off our road.  That's the way of it up here, you hunker down until the danger is past, then go out and help each other. 

There is word of a "sighting", which means a power truck has been spotted in our area.  Word passes from farm to farm. 

Hopes rise that help is near.  Maybe if we're lucky, tonight we can take a shower, do laundry, cook in our (real) kitchen and listen to the lovely sound of the furnace heating the entire house.  If not, that's ok - we'll get by just fine.

Ice Storm Day 2: As the Ice Melts

Before

After

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After

Before

After

Before

After

But...

Our Special Tree - Before

After...

Hunkering Down

One of the plum trees in my yard yesterday.

The same tree in my yard today...smashed from heavy ice.

I've been home since Sunday, consequences of snow and ice.  I was going to write a Post about Cabin Fever but yesterday afternoon the freezing rains started.  As of this writing (almost noon the next day), it's still coming down. 

Everything outside is coated with a thick layer of ice.  I could hear the trees making small crackling sounds when I went out to feed last night.  I know that sound (see prior post about the cabin) and I knew we were in for trouble.

 My lilac tree...

Bob and Gus are safely in their stalls, but unsettled from the sharp sound of snapping trees all around us.

I'm running my laptop and internet router via a generator.  We lost power at 6AM (no power, no water).  The news reports that 180,000 of us are in the same boat (and the ice is still falling).  The restoration efforts will first concentrate on the higher populated areas...which means it will probably be days before we get power back.

So we hunker down and wait...

Winter Lessons From the Cabin

This picture was taken a few days ago.  We are currently in the midst of some aggressive winter weather which initially brought us temps in the teens and covered everything with ice.  As of this writing we have about four inches of snow.  Predictions are for high winds and an additional foot of snow in the next two days.  Hang onto your hats! 

Growing up with a cabin in the mountains has exposed me to lots of interesting situations when it comes to weather.  I've seen my share of summer storms but the lessons learned from going to the cabin in the winter come to mind as I sit here watching it snow:

Winter Lesson #1:  Upon arrival you may find the above scenario. Always bring a shovel with you (because you sure as heck aren't going to get one out of the cabin). 

Winter Lesson #2:  Use shovel to clear chimney of snow.  A ladder will not be necessary to access the roof.

Once chimney is free, use shovel to access front door (via front porch).  Grab the roofline and swing/walk (slide) down onto the front porch.  Enter cabin.

Winter Lesson #3:  Once in cabin proceed to heat source and activate.  Leave the water turned off....

This is a good time to reflect on your last visit to the cabin.  When you last left, did you 1) turn off the water; 2) turn off and drain hot water tank and 3) add RV antifreeze to the toilet and drains in shower/sinks?

If you did, move on to Winter Lesson #4. 

If you did not, deactivate heat source and return to Go (as in Go Home).  Do not return to cabin until late Spring with new pipes, hot water tank and toilet bowl.

Winter Lesson #4:  Using your newly established entry, grab roof line and return outside to front of cabin with shovel in hand.  Remove snow from cabin windows, giving you an escape route should there be a fire.

Winter Lesson #5:  Slide back down onto the front porch and into cabin.  Upon entry you should experience a sense of heat from your previous heat activation efforts in Winter Lesson #3 above.

If so, proceed to turn on water until it runs through all taps (only then should you turn on hot water tank.)  Proceed to Winter Lesson #6. 

If you do not experience heat, troubleshoot heat issue for a period not to exceed approximately two hours.  If the issue is still unresolved return to Go (as in Go Home).  Do not return to cabin until late Spring with resolved heat source.

In addition, if you experience water leaks from pipes or fixtures, troubleshoot using whatever comes in handy from the cabin and/or via any kind neighbor who may be in residence at their own cabin.  If leaks cannot be resolved, turn off water; deactivate heat source and return to Go (as in Go Home).  Do not return to cabin until late Spring with replacement parts.

Winter Lesson #6:  If you are successful in the prior Winter Lessons, you may now return to your vehicle.  Always make sure you park your vehicle in a safe place, away from snow plows and traffic.

You may now proceed to unpack your vehicle and move your "provisions" into the cabin.  It's suggested that you beg, plead or barter with any individual you come upon with a snowmobile to assist you with this task.

However, if you find you are alone in this task and must walk, it is suggested one walk on defined snow tracks via fresh snow to avoid one (and their belongings) from sinking to their waist or higher. 

At this time you may experience thirst from your previous efforts.  It is highly suggested that no matter how thirsty one is, that they do not consume yellow snow.

Enjoy your stay.

The Head Game

I had forgotten about the Head Game...

I had forgotten that in the past, when I've tragically lost a horse, something inside of me has also been lost. 

It's the part of me that strives to keep my confidence high. 

And it's the part of me that has worked so hard to ride the "right way", using my legs, sitting back, and keeping my body fluid.

Above are the four horses I've lost in the last 24 months.  Champ in picture #1, followed by Cisco and Bear in Picture #2 and recently Poco, pictured above.

Last Monday I hauled Bob back to the barn where I used to board.  The same barn where I had such a great time last summer riding in Ladies Nights.  The same barn where once upon a time I used to ride three of those awesome horses...

I hadn't been up on Bob since November due to weather and commitments, staying home safe and sound when the roads were icy.  But with recent mild weather I had decided it was time to go back to work - and I couldn't wait to start riding again.

I had forgotten about the Head Game.  Although my confidence level hadn't hit empty, it was lower than any other time I'd ridden Bob - and he picked up on it.  The poor horse had lost his leader and he was skittish and jumpy.

I asked Rachel to ride Bob first.  I told her that I felt we needed to take some steps backwards as we returned to lessons.  She rode Bob for most of this lesson. 

Towards the end of the lesson it was my turn to ride and then cool out Bob.  I found myself  unsure when I first got on.  This is not unusual.  The commitment of swinging my leg over the saddle has always been the biggest challenge for me.  But the uncertainty disappears as soon as I'm on and moving, replaced with confidence and joy. 

Not this time.  I remained tentative, riding horribly, like a piece of cardboard.  Bending and twisting my body and arms when turning, leaning forward.  I felt awkward, like a glob of putty on Bob's back.  It was ugly.  No matter what I tried to do, it was like weights were on my arms and legs.

When I finished I got off and immediately noted the lack of elation I usually have after I ride.  Usually the first thing I do is a little jig and dance, then throw my arms around Bob to thank him for the great ride.  That day I absently patted Bob's neck and just stood there - I was flat.

It was then that I remembered that I've been here before on my first few rides after losing each of those beloved horses.  With the loss of Poco, only last month, the Head Game has returned.

I will beat this Head Game, finding what I've lost, just as I have in the past.

And I be a better rider because of it. 

But for the next few rides I know I'll be fighting the Head Game with each step.

Somewhere There is a Fridge for Us

I came into the house the evening of Monday, December 5th, to find everything in our kitchen fridge unusually warm.  Sometime during the day our fridge had died.

Years ago a friend had offered me her old fridge when she'd purchased a new one.  She had warned us that it was on its last legs but still running and was hoping to find it a home so that she didn't have to pay to have it hauled away.

I jumped at the opportunity to have a back-up fridge and told her (without even checking with my husband) that we'd be down to pick it up.  We picked it up (actually he picked it up, I sat in the truck) and we (he) placed it in our garage next to our freezer.

Six years later that old fridge is still running.  It's come in handy, holding overflow for holiday dinners, etc.  On the numerous times we've lost power (sometimes for multiple days), we've moved everything out of the kitchen fridge into the old one in the garage where the fridge and freezer are connected to a generator.

With the loss of our kitchen fridge, we moved into "no power" mode.  We then proceeded to start the research for a new fridge. 

It was fun to look for a new fridge and I was picky, knowing that the opportunity for a new appliance like this doesn't come along often.  It took a few days, but on December 8th we knew what we wanted and what store we wanted to purchase it from.  The sale was made.

Today is January 7th and as of yesterday our new fridge is still MIA.  It was initially supposed to be delivered on December 16th.  We got a call and were told it would be a "few more weeks".  The new delivery date was yesterday, January 6th.  We got a call on January 4th with the same message, but this time there was no future delivery date.

We lost our fridge a week after the "Black Friday" sales.  Everybody and their brother wanted the same fridge we did.  The factory is over loaded with orders and indeed everywhere I look this particular fridge is on back order.

It's gotten old (real old) to go out to the garage to get something out of the old fridge.  I took the large fruit basket usually on the kitchen counter and moved it to the garage so that we could use it to ferry food back and forth.  The basket sits on the hood of my car, which is parked opposite the old fridge.  I can't count how many times I've pulled out of the garage and started to head down our drive to see that darned basket sitting on my hood.

I've tried to convince my family that it's good exercise to go a few more steps (58 one way) to get something out of the fridge.  Although they were initially good sports about the whole deal, the last call from the store with no idea as to when we'd see our new fridge moved them to rebellion and I can't say I blame them.

I faced them this morning with a suggestion for a different fridge, located online and noted as being immediately available from the store who currently holds us hostage.  I assured my family that today was the day.  My husband and I would visit the store and we'd come home Heroes with a solid delivery date for a fridge (or we wouldn't come home at all).

Off my husband and I went to meet with the individual who sold us our fridge a month ago.  She apologized, showing us a large stack of paper with names on it of poor souls like us, waiting for their new fridge.  She noted that as large as that stack was, those individuals were ahead of us in line and told us that our names hadn't even been added to the list yet.

She asked us if we had any other fridge we'd like to purchase.  I proudly whipped out my piece of paper and presented her with our replacement fridge, noting that this one shouldn't be any issue in getting delivered because the web page says its immediately available.

You can imagine our reaction when after many minutes of  looking at her computer; she looked up at us with a blank face and told us that for some reason the replacement fridge was nowhere on this earth to be found.  My husband immediately drifted away to the lighting aisle (not a good sign) and I still have the bite marks on the inside of my cheeks from trying to remain composed.

While she made "one more call", I went in search of my husband, now somewhere amongst the table saws.

As we discussed what to do next, there was commotion behind us as our sales person came towards us.  "Guess what?" she gushed with a huge smile (of relief?) on her face.  "A car of fridges has just arrived and there is one on the car for you!" 

With some additional reasoning as to why a fridge suddenly appeared out of nowhere - of which I still can't figure out, she informed us that our new fridge should be available for delivery next week.  She then proceeded to set us up on the computer with a delivery day of next Friday the 13th.

However, the scheduled delivery date is Friday the 13th.  I can't help but be wary, can our luck get any worse? 

Perhaps I should invest in running shoes for my family members.  Or maybe transportation between the kitchen and garage. 

Hmmm.  I wonder how Bob would do as a pack horse?

Where We Go From Here

I didn't write a New Year Post.  Just didn't feel up to it.  It's been a month since we lost Poco.  It's been an adjustment for this family, all home that morning. 

For Bob it's also been an adjustment.  Time with the horses was minimal during the holidays as we met family and social commitments.  As the end of the holidays rolled around I found Bob to be a horse I didn't recognize.  He spooked at a moment's notice, blasting out of his loafing shed in record time when I walked in off of the barn to feed him.  When I was able to touch him, his skin would quiver nervously, barely able to stand still, always looking around for what might scare him.  It worried me.

I brought out his curry comb and tried to brush him while he ate.  Initially he'd move away from me.  As the days went by he stood still and today I'm able to touch and move around him again without any issues.

And that's a good thing because Bob and I have plans.  It's time to go back to work.  We haul out to start lessons next Monday with my Frainer (friend and trainer).  We've signed up for a sorting practice the following week.  We've got places to go and things to do.

I once again greet Gus with the same, "Hi Gussie" as I used to. 

Gus is lonely.  He has always lived here with other horses and you can tell he doesn't understand why he's alone.  I know that Gus isn't a bad horse and I know that horses sometimes kick, especially when there is food in the proximity.  It doesn't excuse what happened, it's just the fact.

Gus is the kind of horse that cannot share a confined feeding area with other horses; however, does fine in a field where they all have space.  These are things I should have thought about when I put Poco in with Gus to share that large stall.

Where we go from here...we will be making some changes.  Just as others are doing, we are re-defining our priorities. 

As spring approaches we will be looking for a good home for Gus.  It's important to us (and part of our responsibility as horse owners) to ensure Gus goes to the best home we can find.  The type of home I'd like to see him go to will be one that has pasture space where he can co-exist with other horses without conflict. 

My husband has expressed an interest in riding and taking lessons.  Our goal will be to have two saddle horses here at home.  Bob and a replacement for Poco.  This will allow us to haul our horses with us on weekends without having to still leave someone back at home and deal with the hassle of feeding arrangements, etc.  It will have a positive impact on not only our budget but our pastures.

Where we go from here has taken some time to determine and on all accounts it's not going to be easy.  But I think in the end, it's the right trail for us to take.