Friday, September 26, 2008

blackout

The weekend started out like any other, except that The Child had started a new project: flute playing. He shows much promise.


After a lengthy flute session we headed to the downtown neighborhood I want to live in, where a street festival called Via Colori was underway. Local artists (or wannabes) create chalk pictures in the street, in the style of an old Italian custom (or Mary Poppins).


I liked these colors.


No comment!



Then, all of a sudden, the wind started blowing like never before. It was Hurricane Ike showing us how powerful it was even though this is not hurricane territory. The city went black. This photo was taken inside my house that night- the first night of MANY without power.




Outside in the park the next morning, sights like this explained the power outage.


Thankfully, the weather was spectacular, and The Child and The Chihuahua tried to make the most of the daylight hours. No school for many days- Hurrah!



FINALLY, more than a week later, the saviors arrive en masse.



Here are a few of the heroes who restored our long-lost power.

17 comments:

Lynilu said...

Wow! No wonder we haven't heard from you!

I love the street art, and I nearly spit my water onto the computer when I looked at the "no comment" picture! LOL!!

Glad you're OK!

Constance said...

Betty,
the chalk drawings are wonderful ! Of course, my favorites are the cats... :)

Glad that the child is showing an aptitude for the flute - music can be a source of life long enjoyment.

And a week of a power outage - ugh. Reminds you why technology is so wonderful isn't it ?!?

It's hard to do everything by candlelight - to not have refrigeration or air-conditioning, or the phone or computer...

Your job interview must be next week , right ? good luck, Betty !!! Please let us know how it went, when you have time.

(hugs)

B.S. said...

Dear Lynilu,

It's great to see you again! I'm leaving in a couple days for the Pacific Northwest, but I'll be back later in the week.

Hugs,
Betty

B.S. said...

Dear Annie,

Yep- I'm leaving soon but should be back late Thursday.

I always used to wonder how people got by during long power outages. Well, actually, it wasn't as bad as I expected. When the power returned, I almost missed the outage routine. Almost.

Hugs,
Betty

Laurie said...

Love those drawings! I would love
to be able to draw like that....

Yuck about the power outage...
We know what those are like and we
don't wish them on anybody....

Good for the child! Hope he stays
with it!

Glad y'all are alright..Take it
easy and relax when you can!

HUGS!!!!!!!!!!!

B.S. said...

Dear Laurie,

Yeah, I hope The Child stays with it too. I'd be shocked, though.....

I can't wait to return from my jobseeking trip late this week. THEN I'll relax.

Funny thing- I never experienced a power outage the whole time I lived in NY, yet here it happens regularly.

Hugs,
Betty

Priyamvada_K said...

Dear Betty,
We were hit by Ike too. God, the anxiety of the whole thing. I live in hurricane territory....

Btw, looks like we are closer location-wise than I thought we were :-)

Priya.

Monogram Queen said...

Yay for getting power back!

Some of those artists are AWESOME!

The child is just... special. I love to hear the flute. My niece plays.

Mary Ann said...

Oh. My. Goodness. I was without power a year ago for nine days and it was awful. I feel so bad for you. Am glad you're back!

B.S. said...

Dear Priya,

I'm sorry that you also had a run-in with Ike. I would not want to live in hurricane territory!

Glad you're OK and it's over!

Hugs,
Betty

B.S. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
B.S. said...

Dear Patti,

Yep- I was impressed with the level of artistry!

And I bet the flute is the least offensive sounding instrument for beginners. I can't get over how good he sounds.

Hugs,
Betty

B.S. said...

Dear Mary Ann,

I'm sorry to hear that you can relate to the experience of being without power for a lengthy period of time! It certainly does result in renewed appreciation for the luxuries we are used to.

Hugs,
Betty

Big Dave T said...

What a storm! I too didn't know we had big storms that swept through the Ohio valley recently.

Some of these sidewalk chalk artists are incredible. I have an old buddy who sometimes sends me pictures they create. You'd swear they were real, the images they create in the chalk.

That chihuahua looks like one of the stars of Beverly Hills Chihuahua. Looks like a cute movie too.

B.S. said...

Dear Big Dave,

Sometimes it pays to be in Michigan, I guess. I recall that you had a brutal winter, but you avoided the hurricane.

And who knew that my Chihuahua would end up being a movie star look-alike? I can't wait to see the movie!

Hugs,
Betty

Nancy said...

Love the art!

WoW some power outage, I'm glad your house wasn't hit =)

B.S. said...

Dear Nancy-

You're right- it could've been worse. At least i didn't have to deal with my house having a tree fall on it.

Hugs,
Betty