I called into my supervisor, told him what happened, and that it will be a few minutes getting back while I checked everything out. Just as I was on the phone with him, the power went totally out in the house. This is actually a rarity here, and I can't even remember the last time we lost power for any length of time.
Grabbing my flashlight, I went through the house and disconnected some electronics, lest things fry when the power comes back. The violence outside continued, and at one point there was a lightning strike really close to the house. I mean like so close, the windows moved in and out. As long as it didn't hit the house, I was happy. (See here.) I went into the basement after about half an hour, checked the sump pump, made sure no water was leeching into the basement, and settled in.
We pulled out the candles, (Mrs. N. came home a short while later.) and as we sat around in the dim light, I thought, "So, this is what it was like during the Revolution." ( I had just watched the HBO series "John Adams" about 2 weeks ago.) Trying to read a magazine via candlelight was an interesting experience. We curled up on the couch, she was exhausted, and fell asleep in short order.I however, was still awake, as I normally work from 9 pm-3 am. I honestly didn't mind the unintended night off, though I will need to make up the hours during the week. (Not hard to do, really.) On the upside, I actually got a good night's sleep, as I crashed around midnight.
Now we had some other storms earlier that day, and though violent, they did leave a present in their wake:
I am taking this as a good omen. Hmm...Maybe getting a little break from work last night was the start? Hmm...
13 comments:
Strange weather. We have had unheard of summer storms and floods in the UK for the past few years. What's going on?
We have broken an all time record for amount of rainfall and lightning strikes.
Am I perverse in enjoying the weather? At least we are getting lots of sunshine in with the rain. And the gardens are the best ever.
We've got YOUR weather here TODAY. :) I love storms.
Gah .. I hate storms. I used not to mind them at all, until the hurricane of 87 or 88, whenever it was, when a great swathe of damage was cut across England, ancient trees uprooted by the dozen, much damage to property, etc. It scared me. Now I hate them also because they frighten one of our dogs so badly that I'm quite literally afraid for her. She's been known to do things like hide under a desk and dribble on all the electric connections.
Do you have surge protection on your stuff? We didn't have, until a lightning strike fried our Sky (TV) box.
Retired-Yeah I have followed those floods on BBC and other news sources. Devon got whacked pretty hard, if I recall.
Violet - -a lot of what we got got sent from you guys up there, scooting across Ontario. I enjoy a good lightning storm as much has the next person, but sheesh! :-)
Claudia - Don't say I never gave you anything. ;-)
Jay-I've got an APC surge protector on my computers, and other things in my office, but what we really need to invest in is an whole home surge protector. We'll need to bite the bullet on that one, as they can be expensive, but probably worth it in the long run.
We've had some humdingers lately too. We bought surge protectors years ago after EDF fried the TV & Fridge - thankfully they've now upgraded the line (putting a small pylon in our garden,growl!) so haven't had too many cuts since, though I pray we don't ever get same 'present' you have as the line is very near the pool.
j
j-Just don't plan on going nighttime skinny dipping, unless you are wearing a rubberized suit... ;-)
Belgium is kind of 'special', given that due to its small size virtually all (power, cable, phone) lines are located underground. Overhead lines are extremely rare, even in rural areas.
And yes, I know how it feels when thunderstorms and violent rains do cause damage, although in my building even the slightest drop seems to be able to fry my in-house wiring.
But most of all I'm afraid of flooding: this town of 500,000 has no real protection against the rising water levels in the river connected to the Atlantic, right in front of my door.
The first thing I noticed about your top photo was not the pile of candles, but the crochet hook! I didn't know you were into that! Me too!!!! heheheh
battle - Crochet hook? LOLOL!! Nope, that is a bamboo placemat.
Sorry, but you don't move on to the bonus round. ;-)
You're not looking. :-P In the bowl over on the right side of the picture is a crochet hook laying across the top of the bowl.
I love storms, and I don't know where you live, but I'm in North/West TN and it has barely rained here in the last six weeks. I mean, my water bill was $280 from trying to save my grass!
And you probably haven't been reading me long enough to know how I feel about my grass!
I remember how dramatic the storms were when I was in CT, I love storms, but preferably not whilst trying to live in a platform tent! BG
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