08:00 hrs.
Good Morning Dear Readers!
And what should I write about today?
There is still plenty of snow here in the Valley but the days are warm and it's slowly going away. The evenings are still cool enough that is freezes up and frosts your car but its nothing we haven't experienced before. If I wanted to to hear whining about the weather I would listen to the news out of the Lone Star State in the Hugh-ess. Man Oh Man! Did they get whacked by the polar vortex. The temperatures in that most southern state on the Taco Gulf dipped down to what be the normal winter temperature in such notable places as EdmonChuck, The Peg or Balzac. (I just made you say ball sack.)
The big difference is that up in the Great White North we happen know that water gets to get a bit stiff in these conditions and therefore pipes that transport water must be insulated. Additionally, did you know that 50% of the heating in the Alamo State is from natural gas and the other 50% is from electricity and 50% of the electricity is derived from gas or coal fired power plants. Oh, they have been dabbling with solar and wind farms but it seems the State Guv didn't want to cough up the extra dough for the Storm of the Century Insulation Package so when the freezing wet stuff hit the wind turbines they ground to a halt. So many people - like the entire state population - reached for the thermostats at the same time causing some brown outs and a large number of black outs. Here's the kicker - this state - in it's most protectionist fashion - has a self contained power grid. This means it does not recieve nor does it share power with its neighbours in a time of crisis through a larger grid. Like everything else the have this pervasive attitude of - IF YOU'RE NOT ONE OF US YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN!
Well, fine then. Neighbouring states on their northern borders got hit with the same storm but since they remembered being walloped before they simply requested extra electrical power from their other neighbors. And they even had snow removal equipment that the Lone Star State did not. It's like the tale of the ant and the grasshopper. The ant slaved through the summer and into the fall storing food for the winter knowing that there would be nothing for future if he didn't prepare while the grasshopper ate everything in sight and saved nothing for later. Winter came and the grasshopper dragged his frozen starving carcass over to the ant hill begging for food and shelter. And the ants replied Nyet and Das Vedanya you Capitalist pig dog. Now, get of my front porch!
Another interesting aspect of their power trouble is the costs being incurred. In this particular state you can purchase your electricity at a flat rate or with a market fluctuation rate. A flat rate means you may more than others when the average rate drops below what you're paying. The benefit for following the market in an energy rich location is you would normally pay much less than anyone around you unless of course there is a crisis!
16:15 hrs.
My Lobster and I got out to do some shopping. A quick run to WallyWorld, a downtown deli, The Big Box Store and the Church Dispensary. All necessary stops. Last night Chef Blaine started a crockpot full of homemade baked beans. It's been quite some time. Unfortunately, Chef Blaine added onions so the Oma-nator will not be having any. I said that was okay to put it in because she told me she had never eaten a baked bean in her life. He didn't add any meat though so our resident Veggie, the Jr. Couch Monkey, can eat some. Mind you, I convinced Chef Blaine to cook up some Brauts for on the side. The Oma-nator will have one with her patented cuc and tater salat. Fill your books. I'm having beans.
You have heard me use the term Residentially Challenged to better describe the homeless population in the Valley. I read a new term was Housing Deficient. I suppose it's all up to your perspective. Regardless of the term something more substantial has to be done to assist these individuals.
The Oma-nator's birthday is fast approaching. She will be a big Double Snowman this year and that is pretty awesome. I think for her Birthday supper Chef Blaine will make some homemade cheese burgers, which just happen to be her favorite. The last time he made them the Jr. Couch Monkey made some homemade buns which were amazing.
21 Feb 21
07:30 hrs
The sun was up before I was! Can you believe I actually slept in? Only after an entire shift of late nights servicing aircraft would i have slept in. But, this morning I slept in.
Speaking of the increased amount of solar light, the solar lights ringing the gazebo over the Flame Pit stay illuminated longer in the evening. Last year I had added some micro solar lights onto the trellis at the front of the Wayward Inn. My Better Half wants me to see if I can get some for the two planter boxes we picked up last fall. We still have to set them up for planting and I think well put some veggies in them. German fingerling potatoes would be nice and maybe some grape tomatoes.
If you live here in the Valley you should note that the Totem Riders Motorcycle Club, like a lot of others, do carry out charitable work. This particular group collects cans and bottles and after cashing them in at the Return It Centre the Totem Riders purchase Teddy Bears and the components to make comfort kits for hospital patients. These kits will have toothbrushes, toothpaste, shaving tackle, feminine hygiene products, etc. I used to give all of my recycling to the Boy Scouts. I would gather them and take them to a scout leaders house for their bottle drives. However, after a while these leaders didn't even say thanks. The Couch Monkeys and I would sort the bottles but now they don't want to do it. The president of the club had told me that every penny of what is collected goes towards these hospital kits and if anyone wants to see the books they are welcome to take a look. For this reason I have no problems having them come to the Wayward Inn and pick up the bags of cans. If you are I interested in supporting their cause look for them on Facebook. If you have any doubts, drop me a line. I'll vouch for them.
No comments:
Post a Comment