~A Bitter Swallow~

We've had a couple of wind storms the past few days. I love windstorms. Not just breezy weather, but the slamming the doors and knocking down tree limbs wind storms. There is just something so exhilerating about them. It's like Nature's broom. Just getting rid of all the debris (well, metaphorically speaking, since, there is usually more debris out there once it's over!). I especially love it when there is a rain storm that comes along with the winds. The buddy system is a wonderful thing, you know. Even more so when you come in to wash clean the earth.

Outside just smells so much better during and after the storm. That deep, earthy watery smell. So organic (can't get much more organic, can ya?). And the feel in the air is electric. Foreboding and exciting all at the same time. Premonitory, but fascinating. There is nothing quite so nice as curling up with a good book on the couch, wrapped in a nice, warm blanket, and listening to the wind howl and the rain pound the rooftops and windows outside. Particullarly if you have a cup of hot tea or cocoa on the table beside you.

On a seperate note, I think my boyfriend is coming down with the flu. Just when he got called back to work at Nuprecon, too. Horrible timing, though he's gone anyway. Except for today. He wasn't scheduled for today. Good thing, because I really think he needs to stay home, relax, and eat something other than chips and dip!!

I wonder if this means the kids and I are going to get sick as well. Probably. Oh joy. Right in time for moving. Maybe we'll get lucky and it won't see us...

It's raining outside. Not that that's anything new, being I live in the Pacific Northwest. However, it's really raining outside! I can hear it battering against the windows, trying to barge it's way in. It's just about made it through the ceiling in parts. Let me tell ya, that's not good in any building, but particularly not good in a library. At our staff meeting the other day, we were informed of various leaks around the building. The only solution available to us for the time being: set out buckets. Well, if the power goes out, we have water! They say rain water is the best to wash your hair with.

The lesson to learn from this, those of you reading. VOTE FOR THE LIBRARY LEVY! Whenever they are able to justify putting it back up for option on your election card.

Today is one of those days that make me just want to heat up a pot of tea, curl up in a nice, cozy chair by the window, in front of a nice, warm fireplace, and read a good book or three. The sound of the rain falling, the wind blowing everything down, the tree limbs scrapping the side of the house.... it's all so soothing. I can see in my mind, the lamplight flickering. I have the candles and matches there waiting, just in case the power finally gives up. The teapot of water hangs above the fire, keeping toasty.

Unfortunately, I'm not at home. Home does not have a fireplace, or a woodstove. When the power goes out, it's cold. I have tons of blankets for this reason. There is no fireplace here at work either. Oh, wouldn't that be lovely! A safety issue, as well, I would imagine.


But, I had a bagful of holds come in today, so I'll be set with stuff to do tonight, should the power fail. I'll be wrapped in tons of blankets, and won't have any way to keep my tea warm, but at least I'll have something to occupy myself with! That, and my cupboard full of board games!

There is suppose to be a big windstorm tonight. At least that is the rumor going around the library today. Outside the wind violently whispers its verification. As I sat in the break room reading, the walls and ceiling creaked and the door rattled around me. It was as though something had awoken within them- something formed of dust and old leaves, maybe even forgotten books, their pages crinkled and yellowed- all forming together in some semblance of life; waking and moving through the walls, shaking the windows and doors in an attempt to escape. Outside of this room there is nothing by which to gauge the breezes, which makes the scene even more eerie.



I have emailed Dustin and asked him to fill up some old gallon jugs with water, just in case the power goes out. Being on a well, if we lose power, not only do we lose our hot water, but we lose all water. Including drinking, bathing, and potty. I can live with the first two, but having the toilets backed up is debilitating. Not that I think we would be out for that long, but I learned my lesson a couple years back, when we had a big wind storm, and lost power for about two weeks. We were on a well then, too. I will leave it to your imagination to think of how that turned out. I can assure you, it was worse.

I woke this morning to snow. Well, that's not true. I woke this morning to the phone ringing. The only person(s) who would call at that time on a weekend morning was the library. I was befuddled though, as to what they would be calling about. With me covering my co worker's Sunday shifts, I am the first person in on Sundays, so they couldn't be calling me in to come in early. I figured maybe they needed me to bring something, or whatever. I bumbled out of bed, and went to check the message I knew would be waiting on the voice mail.

My living room's blinds are usually always closed, and they were so this morning. I checked the caller ID, and was not surprised to see my boss's number on there. I checked the message, and while doing so, strolled into the game room, whose blinds are up. I was shocked to see inches upon inches of SNOW in my front (back) yard! She was calling to let me know it was supposed to turn to rain, and to make it in whenever I could.

Snow. Darn blarney. I'm so sick of that cold white stuff. It's beautiful, but I want to plant my starts. Yes, the ones I've pretty much killed by leaving out overnight. That is a different story that makes me want to cry, so I haven't posted about it yet. I might get around to it, I might not.