Wed. September 17, 2008 - What a windstorm!

Hi, Everyone,
If you visited in the last few days, thanks!

When the high winds, (78 mph) hit our area Sunday night, knocked out the power for 44 hours total, it was quite an experience. I have never in my life seen or experienced that high of winds before. Very scary. (Although nothing compared to the devastation with hurricane Ike and Texas) but none the less, quite an ordeal. Between running into town and getting bottled water, ice for the coolers to save perishables in the refrigerator, and using pond water to flush the toilets, cleaning up debris everywhere, lighting candles, heating water on the gas grill side burner for coffee, we managed.


Hubby and I survived all right, (Thank you Lord for your protection), and all is back to normal now. Poor hubby went into school yesterday to take a shower, but alas it was only cold water! Brr. He wasn't there long. (School was closed for two days.)

Yesterday our kind neighbors brought up their gas-powered generator in the morning and ran it for about four hours. We hooked up the chest freezer downstairs, It was "getting down to the wire" to save everything, then we hooked up the refrigerator upstairs, and the fountain at the pond. The fish were really stressed because of low oxygen, and actually that was my main concern! Just as I unhooked the plug at the pond from the generator for the fountain about 2:25 p.m., I plugged it back in and voila, the fountain continued running-the power was back! What a relief!
Our neighbors came out of their house and we were all shouting and celebrating!

Some in the area are still without power, and it might be until Sunday it is all restored for some folks. Emergency areas have been set up locally for people to get bottled water and ice. I called the electric company, and the kind lady said that nine of twelve substations were down and they were working around the clock to get power restored. Thousands were without power in the 84 counties (88 total) in Ohio.

Quite a learning experience. Hubby and I are going to get a generator, when there is one available to purchase. All stores that carried them in and around our area were sold out on Monday.

The wind even blew off the peppers on the pepper plants. The garden is winding down now, and not much left. Hubby mowed off the corn stalks, and now the dogs are having a feast finding little ears to munch on.

Soon it will be Autumn, and we will be going to the woods to get firewood.

I have a lot of book signings coming up, and also some authors I correspond with, are interested in starting an author's group/club for authors in Ohio.

Now I have to get caught up on computer work, emails, and get some things done around here.

Gotta go for now. Take care, stay safe, and count your blessings.
Becky :)