September 8, 2020

 

White Dog stood regally in the gentle morning light nose up, furs ruffled by the breezes. It was her favorite kind of morning, refreshing and invigorating in a way that made a Girl want to patrol the yard for a bit and then tucking into a hearty breakfast.

What was a breeze at nine this morning grew into gusts and by afternoon a snapping and crashing bellow. The sky became overcast with stinging haze from the wildfires burning all around our state. Dust kidnapped by the wind was pushing in through the windows and doors...you could feel it on your teeth if you went outside and smiled.

Tiz and Steve did...go outside. that is. Tizenegy needed a quick vet visit for his adequan treatment. In and out  and home, as Steve said. 

The electricity went out about 10minutes after they left. "Stay calm," I reassured my WDA nursing staff. "Momma has backup oxygen for just these moments." I flipped open my cell phone (yes, it IS that old) to calmly let Steve know but found the electronic device uselessly frozen in shock at my touch. 

Steve announced as he walked in with Tiz "the traffic lights are out all along the route...oh I see you know about the electricity outages."

White Dog wasted no time in invoking the "End Times" clause in the White Dog Army manual. The clause that promises treats on demand and shares of whatever the humans are eating for the duration of the crisis. It also stipulates that we all stay together nd touch often. 

"She makes a good point," I said to Steve, "just how are we going to make dinner in the dark with no electricity?" He pulled out HIS trusty cell. "Looks like power is out pretty much all over the city. Who knows what restaurants even are functional?" "Yes, I do not want you driving around if the traffic lights are out; it is an accident waiting to happen."

In the quickly fading early evening we handed out treats in generous quantities...special ones we had been saving...then organized WDA dinners. "Who knows when we will get the chance to eat again," cried Bailey. "Eat hearty in case we have to stretch our inner reserves." 

We decided that a simple pasta and frozen bolognese sauce along with cauliflower could be quickly readied and cooked on the burners which could be match lit. Zsofia laughed "Eating Cauliflower at Stormy Twilight sounds like a mystery novel." 

In near darkness with the three votive candles in clear tea cups for safety we dined and then ordered camping lanterns to have on hand for NEXT time. 

Postscript: The electricity came back on a bit after eight...ten minutes after we called the medical supply company to emergency order an extra couple bottles of portable O2. They were grateful to drop us off of the emergency list when we called back...seems there was LOTS of need citywide.