3 Dogs, 3 Inches, 3am Power Outage, and 3 Cherry Pickers

We used to have one brave little dog that wasn't afraid of thunder storms and other loud noises. While big dog Glory shook and trembled, and little Sunny ran under the bed, Pappy always went about his normal business without a worry. Until last night.

Pappy was in the process of raising his leg for a final 10 pm pee when lightening struck nearby with a sonic boom clap of thunder. All thoughts of peeing were forgotten and he ran for the door. He was my shadow the rest of the night.

And the night was long. The storm went on and on. We got almost three inches of rain accompanied by much lightening and loud thunder. It went on for hours. There was almost no sleeping as we comforted dogs and waited for the inevitable power outage.

Three being the lucky number, it was 3am when the transformer and some power lines went down in front of the neighbor's property. Then there was calling Consumer's Power by flashlight and juggling backup oxygen tanks. There was not much sleeping.


10am this morning the first Consumer's truck arrived. It must have been a mess back in the swampy woods because it took three cherry picker trucks and a pickup two hours to repair everything and restore power.

So far today DH and dogs are catching up on their sleep. I'm planning to join them soon. I need a three hour nap. At minimum.

Plain Black Socks

Since I'm used to wearing handknit socks that fit and feel good on my feet, I couldn't think of just going out and buying some plain black trouser socks.

I'm thinking ahead to when it's cool enough to wear a summer sweater I've been knitting (Brandywine) with some black slacks and a black camisole. That does take some imagination since lately it's been too hot to think about wearing anything but the bare minimum.

Brandywine is done only waiting for the ends to be woven in and a good blocking.




Pattern: Basic cuff down sock pattern on 56 stitches. k3p1 ribbing on cuff and instep.

Yarn: Knitpicks Stroll in black.

Needles: Options #1, 2.5mm

Gauge: 8 stitches/inch, 10 rows/inch

Disappointment

Last week we got a flyer that read, "BELIEVE IT - High Speed Internet for 14.99 a month" plus many other tempting details from Frontier, our land line provider.

I had visions of being able to enjoy myself on Ravelry, reading my favorite blogs in one-tenth the time it takes me now, reading news articles without playing Spider while they load, being able to watch videos online, and other internet delights. I would have willingly paid big bucks for all this.

Using the link on the Frontier flyer, I was prompted to consider several plans and I wasted many dial-up minutes there figuring it all out.

When it came time to subscribe, a screen with big letters popped up: "Internet not available in your area." I'm still pouting. Frontier will not be easily forgiven for their undeliverable promise.

Chat Back for July 23

Responding to comments left since the last time I did Chat Back.

Jan asked . . .

Did it (Metro) take long to knit?

It took much less time than I thought it was going to take. The tweed is a heavy, 4.5 stitches/inch, yarn and it slides on and off the needles like a dream. Plus there is no sewing except for the back of the collar.

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Dorothy asked . . .

Do you have trouble managing 3 strands at once?

Three strands is no problem as long as the three balls are kept separate and only joined as they go through your fingers.

Once upon a time a long long time ago I learned the hard way that it doesn't work to wind the strands together into one ball before knitting.

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Rita asked . . .

Is this the same pattern you used for the red hat you made for yourself and your mom last winter?

Yes, it's the same very basic pattern I used for my simple Red Hat.

I figure the two most important things for charity hats: 1) It should be warm and cover the ears and 2) It should be flexible in size.

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Judy S. asked . . .

Did you find anything good at the library? Have you read Cutting for Stone? Or any of the Maisie Dobbs series?

Thanks to your suggestion I’m now on the library waiting list for Cutting for Stone.

I enjoy Maisie Dobbs and see there’s a new one, The Mapping of Love and Death, that I haven't read yet. I’m on the list for that as well.

The Maisie Dobbs books are written by Jacqueline Winspear and are best when read in order.

The book I blogged about on Tuesday was terrible. Silly plot, stupid dialog, and bad grammar and spelling errors. It was so hot I didn’t want to move from in front of the fan, so I kept rolling my eyes and reading, but really, how do people get these things published?

---

Nobody asked . . .

How's your jaw doing?

And why would you? It's been a little over two months since I had an infected, undeveloped tooth bud removed from my jaw. It was wedged between the roots of two teeth and near my right side facial nerve.

The endodontist said it would be six months until the jaw was totally back to normal, and I have no reason to believe he was wrong about that.

The good news is that there has been very little pain for the past two weeks. Parts of my jaw are numb and occasionally start tingling like when your foot is asleep. It's only been ten days that I've been able to smile without discomfort and I'm never sure if I have food on my chin or not.

I found this picture on my camera after it was too late to post it - but it's never really too late to post it. This was the outside of my face the day after surgery. Even though I don't have enough sense to not post this picture, you'll be happy to know I do have more sense than to post a picture of the inside stitches. Couldn't get my mouth open, anyway.

Wednesday Wings - Young Oriole Learns to Eat Grape Jelly

Simple Woman's Daybook for July 19

These writing prompts are available from Simple Woman's Daybook where each Tuesday we're invited to join in celebrating the beauty of everyday moments around us.

FOR TODAY July 19, 2011...

Outside my window...
It is very hot. We're in the middle of a multi day heat wave with each day forecast to be a little warmer until we hit the 100 degree plus mark on Thursday.

I am thinking...
Although I love hot water heat via radiators, my next house/condo/apartment is going to have ducts and central air conditioning.

I am thankful for...
We had no downed trees and retained power after last week's derecho that caused considerable damage and long lasting (up to 5 days) power outages in SW Michigan. Every time I leave home going north, south, east, or west I see clean up efforts underway. We ended up with three sticks in the yard. Not sure how that happened, but I am thankful.

From the kitchen...
Have ingredients for homemade chicken noodle soup, just need the time and energy.

I am wearing...
Not much. Baggy denim shorts and a tank top. It's very hot today.

I am creating...
Hats. I've been combining three strands of left-over sock yarn and knitting charity hats. The goal is to blend the colors so the hats will be attractive. There is no question that they will be warm.



I am going...
To Goodwill again tomorrow. My goal is a box a week as I slowly sort through areas of the house that haven't been sorted through in a while. Amazing the amount of stuff I'm finding that I don't care if I ever see again.

I am reading...
Just started A Stitch Before Dying by Anne Canadeo. "Where friendship, knitting, murder create the perfect pattern."

Since I haven't read the first two mysteries in the series, I have no idea if it's a good book or not.

I am hoping...
That my blogging funk is over.

I am hearing...
Pappy panting in my ear. It's cooler toward the rear of the house and we're about to go there.

Around the house...
The Rose of Sharon bushes are in bloom. We have too many to count. Some are appreciated, some not. They self seed and pop up all over so some are weeds. But how can I not love a bush the hummingbirds love?



One of my favorite things...
My family. From left to right: granddaughter Kimberly Louise, daughter Heather Louise, mother Margarete Louise.



A few plans for the rest of the week:
Today I'm driving Mom to her annual cardiology appointment. We hope it's a non-eventful meeting with ice cream afterward.

Wednesday is grocery shopping day with a stop at the library to stock up on books to read in front of the fan until temperatures get back to bearable.

Thursday is hair cut day.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...
No matter how hot it is, the creek water is always cold and refreshing.

Coming Out of a Blogging Funk

I apologize to the many readers who have been concerned about me. I've been in a blogging funk. When it's time to sit down and write a post, I've read a book and/or taken a nap instead.

For now I plan to keep blogging, but not as often as I see how life unfolds.

Since I'm a goal setter, I'm going to try for three posts a week.

Tomorrow, Lord willing, there will be a Simple Woman's Daybook. Wednesday there will be a Wednesday Wings with an adolescent Oriole learning to eat grape jelly.