Duh

A storm came through last Thursday evening. 70 MPH winds. I was awake when it hit and I heard this loud CRACK noise and then the lights flickered. No rain, no lightning, just wind. The rain and lightning came later. The lights kept going on and off and I started to worry that a branch fell on the wires coming to the house. Then I heard another CRACK and more flickering. This time I woke up Gary because it really scared me.

He looked out the windows and didn't see anything obvious. The lights had gone out but they eventually came back on. In the morning we saw the damage and learned the loud CRACKS were large branches breaking off trees. A neighbor's tree had half of it break off and fall into our yard. The houses across the street had no power. Luckily we did.

Friday night = round two! Another storm came through. This one was louder due to the numerous lightning hits and thunder. The kind of thunder that rattles the entire house. Then about 2:30 AM the lights went out. The stayed out for 24 hours. It is funny how much I depend on electricity for things. With daybreak it was easy to get light in the house, you just have to open the shades. But with evening we had to rely on candles and an oil lamp. No air conditioning and no cable and no internet. The latter was the hardest for me.

So I convinced Gary to go with me to Panera to get a drink and use their free wifi. We bought our drinks and sat down to learn that their internet was not working either. BUMMER. So we went shopping. We returned home about 5PM hoping the lights would be back on. But no. So we decided to go get some dry ice and see if we could save all our fridge and freezer things.

Then we went to a coffee house in the evening that has live music. I took my laptop just in case. YAY! They had free wifi and it was working! So I got my critical emails done and then enjoyed the music.

What was interesting was all the times we thought of things to do at home and then went "Duh, no power." Example was Gary knew we were going out shopping and that maybe we wouldn't be back in time for the football game. So he said "let me set up the DVR to tape the game". I laughed and said "Duh..."

Then later as the day heated up we knew it would be uncomfortable trying to sleep with no air conditioning. So I came up with the brilliant idea to use a fan to keep us cool. "Duh..."

It is hard to remember all the times that happened during the no power event. Sadly it happened more often than I would like to admit.

Another walk

GREAT walk today! Went out this morning about 9:30AM. Walked from my house (about 72nd and Metcalf) to 83rd and Mission (my favorite Panera is there). It took 1 hour and is about 3.5 miles. I really hadn't intended to go that far but it was just so nice out and I was having fun looking at the different houses.

As I got closer to Panera I had to stop at an intersection and wait for the light to change. This younger woman met up with me there as she was running and in much better shape than me. She had nice shorts on and a jogging bra/top. I was working hard not to be jealous when she started a conversation. She talked about how nice out it was and how she was so happy to be out running. She commented on my outfit (capri length exercise pants and a tank top that did not show my stomach). She said it was so color coordinated. I believe she was sincere.

As we waited she said she hasn't been running as much because the heat made it too hard since she is pregnant. WHAT!? I thought. I couldn't help but look at her tummy. REALLY!?  "How far along are you?" I asked. She smiled and put her hand on her almost flat tummy and said "Twenty weeks."

REALLY!? Is she sure? Was she pulling my leg? I bet if you asked everyone in their cars at the red light who they thought looked more pregnant, every one of them would pick me. Despite my age. Man that really stung.

Fortunately the light turned and we went on our way. Since she was running and I walk she was gone quickly. Whew!

A quick break at the Panera for a drink of water and I begin the walk back home. It was then that I realized that while walking out an hour was fun it required me to have to walk another hour to get back home. I took Mission to 71st and headed toward home. By now each step was work. When I neared Roe I hoped Gary would call and I could say "YES COME AND GET ME!" But no luck. As I neared Nall I had the same hope. But no. As I neared Lamar? No call. Gary wasn't home yet. Then I saw Metcalf and figured if he called now I might let him pick me up even though I was nearing home. But no call. Then I made it to Sante Fe. Next road is Conser and that means only one block to home from there.

I noticed some men on the golf course. Healthy athletic types. It was then I realized that no matter how athletic a guy looks there just is no way to make pink shorts look masculine. What was he thinking? I hope his friends gave him some serious ribbing for those shorts.

CONSER! YAY! Almost home. I can see my house and right at that moment I saw Gary pull in the driveway. If he calls me now I don't think I'll even answer the phone.

2.25 hours. 7 miles. Good weather. GREAT walk!