6.23.2011

June 23, 2011

White Dog looked up with mild interest when Michael came home from school. Now that he is riding public transportation he has become our neighborhood news reporter and today he announced that there was a power line down a few blocks away which the police had barricaded and the power company had just arrived to repair.

No sooner had he spoken the words than our power went out. It was early afternoon and the temperature was over 100 degrees F. We needed the swamp cooler to send its cool air wafting over us. No luck...and no distractions were available via the computer...we couldn't even call friends since our phone system is VOIP. The White Dogs started pacing. Michael went downstairs to play his handheld game system and to do what all teens do in times of crisis...nap.

Even though there was not a leaf stirring, the yard was shady and offered psychological relief. So I called the WDA together. "Let's have a picnic lunch in the yard," I said as I began filling a pitcher with ice. "Let's see...we have guacamole...chips...grape tomatoes, carrot sticks (one of YoYoMa's favorites)...oh look here's some queso fresca!" I loaded everything into my arms and flipped my head to indicate that WD, TOWD, AWD, SAWD and YAWD should follow their noses.

White Dog stopped mid-step. "Hey, let's not forget the duck jerky!" I called over my shoulder and WD trotted back to my chair and hopped up. She looked to make sure she was not being set up to get in trouble before she stood on the other arm and stretched so that she could gently grab the purple bag in her teeth. She met us on the deck by taking the dogdoor shortcut.

I poured ice into the big community water bowl and filled it with fresh water. Then I pulled the cushions around to comfy positions so all could surround me as we dined. In our walled oasis, the birds chirped and we could hear all the busy-ness on famous Route 66, just a block and a half away from our house. It was still hot but somehow it seemed less oppressive, almost fun.

I reached another chip loaded with guacamole to Quinn and started laughing, but not at the little green mustache he had from the avocados (although it was adorably cute). "Think about this you all," I said to my White Ones, "Dad and I go to extreme extra effort and cost to not buy you any foods with corn products or fillers and here I am feeding you corn chips! How crazy is that?"

"OK," Nuka said quietly to White Dog, "I think momma's been out in the heat a little too long. Her brain is going soft." As if on command, at just that moment, we all heard the swamp cooler fan kick on which meant that we had electricity once more! Gratefully we moved the party back inside.

13 comments:

Cappy the Eskie said...

Hi Everyone - we're glad that your
power finally came on It has also been extremely hot here in Northern California.

Our air didn't work on the first hot day. Mom cleaned the filter(same problem last year)and then the air kicked in. If only everything was so easy . . .

Hugs and yips,
Cappy and Ollie

Ozark Mountain Cats said...

We're sooo happy we don't have swamp coolers anymore. I can remember those awful years. Heesh used to crawl in the bathtub to get his tummy wet and then he'd lay in the hall on his back so the swamp cooler would blow on his belly.

Teddy Bear said...

We're so glad you have power again. But what a fun way to spend your time while waiting for the power company to work their magic.:)

Love,
Teddy Bear & Sierra

The Daily Pip said...

Be glad you are not still living in Chicago. We had a big storm on Tuesday and a quarter of million people were without power for almost 48 hours. We were fortunately not affected. Thank goodness.

That's really funny about the corn chip!

Your pal, Pip

Mack said...

YAY for electricity. So glad you didn't have to wait long for the AC to kick back on!
I have never had guacamole. I bet it is fabulous!!


TGIF,
Mack

Brian's Home Blog said...

Y'all sure made the best of it but the swamp cooling again is wonderful!

Kari in Alaska said...

what a great way to spend the afternoon

Kari
http://dogisgodinreverse.com

Stella said...

And what a nice party you had! The best way to overcome a cooling loss.

We have been in the 50s and 60s this week and turned on the furnace one time!


Kisses,
Stella

Angels Amber and Max DaWeenie and Mom said...

You are da WDA.....and you has da power! BOL

Sagira said...

Losing power is no fun and it doesn't take long for the house to heat up that is for sure. Glad you have your power back. :)

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

We love corn chips too:) But like the WDa, we don't do well with corn.

Mom says she would go insane without her a/c. Dad would have to find her a hotel where we all could stay if it went out for more than a couple of hours:)

Have a great power-filled weekend.

v

Bailey Be Good! said...

Ohhh, mommy says to tell you that she's experienced power going out in the midst of summer. Hurricanes will sometimes do that to ya. She said she's had to go without power for weeks! Gosh, I hope I don't have to experience no power!

Woofs & hugs,

~Bailey

D.K. Wall said...

Isn't it funny how some of the best memories come from where we are forced to do something different.

P.S. At least you have air conditioning.