This afternoon the temperature reached 98 degrees.
Thankfully, it was Father's Day, a day for enjoying-- relaxing, reflecting, reminiscing. And doing very little work.
Just five months ago, our world looked like this--coated with a thick layer of ice. We were fortunate to be safe inside, but without electricity for almost 48 hours, staying warm became the activity of the day.
The wood burning stove kept one room toasty. And a pot of boiling water on top of it meant that hot chocolate would also warm us on the inside. I spent my precious daylight hours scavenging large ice boulders from the roadside, and hauling them up the hill on a sled. I had rearranged the inside of the freezer and refrigerator to accommodate their bulky mass--and hoped they'd keep the food chilled until the power was back. 
Our old brick house serves us well in the trying times. Doors on every room mean that we can close off sections we're not needing, and keep our activites confined to just the main room--now the dining room, but what had originally been the kitchen. The hinge of an old swinging crane for a cast iron kettle, still visible in the large open hearth.
We lit the kerosene lamps at sunset--their bright flames, seeming so at home. And, except for the battery-powered radio, sat and waited, suspended in time.
I recall hearing a radio personality flippantly remarking with each weather update, "so they say there's global warming,...(ha,ha)" and wondering how many listening to him trusted this man's "knowledge." I felt like his captive audience, and quickly stifled his commentary.
But, I can't help but think about all this again today, as I see the "worst" drought following on the heels of the "worst" ice storm. And in the middle of it all, sitting and waiting, again, powerless.
7 comments:
When it gets this hot, I think of winter and how nice it would be to fall back into a big snowdrift.
I wonder how many weird seasons we will have to have before the powers that be decide to do something real about it.
Extreme weather! Our temps are rising again to 96 today and up to 98 by the end of the week. Dry again.
Reading your winter memories cooled me off a bit, Nina. It's hard to believe those white-outs were just a few months ago.
It is strange to think of the snow being only a few months ago.
How long has it been since you've had a good rain? I was looking at your "How Does Your Garden Grow" picture series and surprised at how much it's changed in just a little over a month!
Hi Nina,
You need a break!
A cool wet down soon.
I too am concerned about the extremes. So hard on the trees.
I shall think cool and wetter for you!
Hugs,
Sherry
We haven't had rain since the garden was planted--it's only still green, because we water every evening.
I feel bad for the farmers--we're not an irrigating area--there's nothing to do until the rains come, but wait.
Nothing like long,hot,dry spells ( or floods !!!) to remind us how powerless we are of nature's forces. It really strikes home ,as you so beautifully describe, when we ARE actually power - less. Having less power makes us all humble. Perhaps if some people had less power, peace could break out.
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