The one thing that makes this storm suck more than the usual suckiness of hurricane/tropical storm watch and waits is that Ernesto is coming on shore on the one year anniversary of the cluster fuck that was Hurricane Katrina.
So instead of giving us the skinny on what's boiling up in the straights and making it's way toward South Florida, the all the weather, all the time station is showing us historical footage of that other national nightmare and all the memorials and "celebrations" of the date. Thanks, but I think we all still remember.
Anyway, even though the poobahs at the top of the corporate food chain decided that the head office should be open and operational today, I called my boss at about 6:20 AM and told him I'd be battening down the homestead, and to press on regardless and without me.
We finished the shuttering at about 11 this morning, and I am now cooking a turkey breast, just in case the power goes out later.
But, being a native of this fair state, I have certain things in place that others, more recently moved to the lower latitudes, may not have. To wit: I have only manual can, wine and bottle openers. I have a gas stove, somewhat rare in these parts. I have a French press coffee maker, which means I can boil water on the old gas stove, and pour it into a non-electric pot and have fresh, very rich coffee. I have a treadle sewing machine in good working order, for those boring hours when the power is out. I have a collection of jigsaw puzzles.
In short, I have the means to cook and entertain myself, even when there is nothing to do but listen to the wind outside.
Later, gentle readers.
Posted by Miz Shoes at August 29, 2006 11:35 AM
We'll keep our fingers crossed, Miz Shoes.
I, too, have a gas stove, which is completely useless when the power is out, because it won't ignite. It has a "safety" feature which won't even let you light it with a match when there's no power to the electronic ignition. (Why am I safer not being able to boil water in an emergency?) Try as I might, I couldn't find one without this.
Luckily, I have a gas barbecue with side burners, and like you I have a treadle sewing machine and manual can openers. Who says emergencies have to be dull?
Posted by: Kathy A. at August 29, 2006 12:16 PM
Hang tough sweetie, sending you good safe thoughts.
Posted by: Miss Bliss at August 29, 2006 12:31 PM
Kathy: My DCS gas cooktop will light with a match when there's no electricity for the igniters. Safety be damned, I always say!
Miz Shoes:
If the power stays out when the winds die down, you can come on over here. They *JUST* finished installing my standby generator about 2 hours ago and tests indicate that it actually works! I love hearing MJ say: "You were right." It doesn't happen that often... :-)
Posted by: RJ at August 29, 2006 02:35 PM
Yeah, my gas cooktop ignites with a match when the electronic ignition is off, too. You gotta love it.
RJ, I'll let you know how it goes, powerwise. But if it's off tomorrow night, I'll be over for Project Runway!
Posted by: Miz Shoes at August 29, 2006 02:58 PM
you make it sound romantic. almost.
Posted by: Brette at August 29, 2006 06:21 PM
Hear, hear on the manual can openers. Love my swing-a-way and don't have anything else....
Also have the non-rare gas stove up in my parts.
No coffee or treadle sewing machine here but I do have a tea kettle and knitting needles.
Check on the jigsaw puzzles and dozens of board games.
Too bad I don't live in Florida where all these things would be handy.
Posted by: Jules at August 29, 2006 09:15 PM