Yep. Another<\/u> power outage! Remind me again which century this is? \ud83d\ude41<\/p>\n
This one was not wholly unexpected, and I guess I can’t complain, because it didn’t happen during my Full Moon ritual. That would have been a nuisance, because I use a cut of music that is exactly ten minutes and one second long, on repeat, to time the rituals when I want to conclude at a precise time. There was a wind advisory up, and the wind was gusting away outside, with steady wind as high as 30mph. I’d just seen a news item on the WHDH website that the wind was causing widespread outages in New Hampshire.<\/p>\n
Sure enough, at 4:28 p.m., poof! Here we go again–the third outage in less than two weeks!<\/p>\n
I called National Grid’s hotline, which I now have memorized, and heard a recorded message saying there were outages in numerous surrounding towns. Obviously, the power crews were having a very busy day. I decided to do what I didn’t do the last two times, and get some things ready. I got out the Coleman lantern, filled and tested it; got out extra candles and candle lanterns, most of which had glass covers or chimneys so they’d be less of a hazard to Mr. Brightest-Light-On-The-Tree-Only-When-He-Sets-His-Tail-On-Fire. I brought in the very last of the firewood, and started a fire (it was 36 degrees outside, and the wind just sucks the heat out of this house). I even found the right connector for the “PowerAll” for this computer, in case the battery ran out like last time. I figured there were two possible outcomes: either all this preparation would invoke Murphy’s Law, and I wouldn’t need it; or, the power would be off well after dark, and I’d be ready for it this time.<\/p>\n
A little later I called the hotline again, and Pepperell was on their list, and they said power should be restored by 8:30 p.m. They usually give a much later estimate than actually turns out to be needed.<\/p>\n
Murphy’s Law prevailed and the power went on at 6:40 p.m., just in the nick of time for my sunset attunement. I didn’t need the Coleman lantern after all! Now I have to drain the fuel and put it all away. But that’s okay. Besides–it’s still windy. The power could go off again!<\/p>\n
I continued working on The Longer the Fall,<\/i> with a somewhat uneasy feeling. The characters in the book happen to live in an old house that doesn’t have electricity (it’s 1952 in rural Maine). You don’t think there’s any possible<\/i> connection between my concentration on getting this book finished, and all these power outages we’re having…do you? *faint twinkle of Twilight Zone<\/i> theme…* Naaaaaaaahhhhhh….<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Yep. Another power outage! Remind me again which century this is? \ud83d\ude41 This one was not wholly unexpected, and I guess I can’t complain, because it didn’t happen during my Full Moon ritual. That would have been a nuisance, because … Continue reading