march in like a lion

Tags

biting insects, Central Virginia, cypress trees, Dominion Power, greenhouse effect, in like a lion, March, mother nature, power outage, snowfall, weather, winter

This week’s weather was trying—the forecast spot on—I lost all utilities for 2.5 days and hunkered down until last night, dressed like an Eskimo, sleeping in my clothes and cap. Not fun! I thought I would share my pain through the following photographs:

Tuesday night, heavy, wet, damaging snow fell for hours, and I awoke to this…

crepe myrtle pinned to ground

crepe myrtle pinata

stabbing the pile of wet, heavy stuff

cypress trees reduced in height by half

at least the oatmeal stout and porter cheese needed no refrigeration!

no doubt spring will arrive despite what is dished out of the sky

Apparently life in rural Virgina brings with it many trials. Summers are brutally hot and humid, with plentiful biting insects while wicked storms often whip through leaving residents without power for days. Now winter brings similar outages, demanding one to be resilient. Although I toughed 51 degree F temps indoors for nearly three days, when the utilities finally returned, I was totally exhausted—even resorted to sitting in the van as the afternoon sun raised her head, creating a greenhouse effect and bringing temperatures to 80 F.

Last time I checked this is the twenty-first century right?

Before retiring last night I managed a hot shower and shampoo, a load of laundry, some hot soup, before collapsing into the nearest bed.

OK Mother Nature, this gal has had enough already. You are shaking your magnificent mane again—reminding us how you always have your way with us. You entered March and got our attention. Now, PLEASE, I ask you for a wee bit of spring before the lawn demands a weekly mow? Please?

March often does enter as a lion, yet folks, prepare like a warlord.

This is my new life slogan! Yet when I remember to take a lesson from challenging situations, particularly nature, I am reminded that resilience is key and so far, I bounce back. Now headed to the terrace to have lunch in the brilliant sunshine, I will listen to the song of gurgling/melting snow as it nourishes the landscape.

Also humming “there is a legal limit to the snow here, in Camelot!”

Here’s hoping that you are warm and cozy this day. 😉

Copyright © 2013 by Diane LaSauce All Rights Reserved

better late than never?

Tags

Fourth of July, Independence Day Celebration, Monticello, Monticello Gardens, Nadia Comaneci, naturalization ceremony, outdoors, photography, plants, travel, vacation, Virginia

Dear old Mother Nature had her way with Virginia again last week. She sent 80 MPH winds throughout the state, dropping trees and power lines like toothpicks. I was one of the lucky ones, with garden damage limited to the Ichi Ke Jiro, which split in half. Electricity was out for 6.5 days during triple digit temperatures and high humidity. A bit of deja vu from last fourth of July weekend—see my blog.

I defaulted to the lower level of my home, where I have a small bed, bath, and comfortable sitting area. I hauled water from my neighbor’s spigot to water necessary herbs and flush toilets, then retreated to the basement until dusk, when I would check birds feeders and baths. I went to bed at dark and woke at dawn, where I would again haul water and scrounge for a meal from my assorted collection of nuts, seeds and dry berries. Reading and naps filled my afternoons while gently transported to idleness.

On the actual fourth, I decided to join the living and drive to Monticello’s 50th Independence Day Celebration and Naturalization Ceremony. The following images portray that visit and give an update of Jefferson’s garden progression. See my earlier blog: the thing about historic gardens, posted in late winter.

Dramatic contrast between reenactment soldier and Nadia Comaneci.

Remember to slide your mouse over images for further captions.

Copyright © 2012 by Diane LaSauce All Rights Reserved

abstract design

Tags

abstract design, country life, Dominion Power, power poles, utility poles

I have fallen in love with the tops of power poles.

This is abstract design at its best… When linemen are sweating in bucket trucks held up in the air, risking their lives, do they ever think of themselves as artists?

I bet not.

Notice these complex assemblies—as I find more interesting combinations, I will add them to this blog.

Until I moved to the country, where electric is the most affordable utility, I loathed the appearance of power poles—an eyesore—to be endured. Yet in the past decade I came to appreciate the comforts these lines provide year round. Yes, underground utilities are preferred, yet these common sentinels of decades past are reminders of strides made since.

Copyright © 2012 by Diane LaSauce All Rights Reserved

the thing about catching one’s breath

Tags

Dominion Power, home ownership

The third of July turned out to be one of the most challenging days of home ownership. Grand bolts of lightning struck all around Swallowtail Cottage, leaving the power lines and step-down transformers ruptured both above and below the ground. Shards of porcelain insulators were flung over the house into the front yard. Full extent of the damage took Dominion Power nearly one week to restore.

Personally, forty-one hours without air conditioning and all other utilities, during humid 90+ degree temperatures, made for long days and nights. Food lived in 5-day coolers. Other residents on the road were without power for nearly one week, as Dominion assessed the damage, eventually bringing in specialized equipment to bore new cable under the entire area.

What was the lesson here?

• First, I have a new regard for Mother Nature and her random doses of rage.
• Second, I have the utmost respect for the crews of Dominion Power.

These highly trained individuals work round-the-clock, in all weather conditions, hanging in buckets, brushing close to lines that could easily jolt them to the great beyond.

Furthermore, these men were courteous to me, the concerned homeowner, who regularly appeared to ask questions whenever I noticed hard hats roaming my property.

The pole supporting the main cable into the area is located on the rear of my property, near an important tree line. As the repair strategy unfolded, there was talk of cutting down my precious trees to make way for large boring equipment. Had I not sweetly protested, perhaps they would have had their way. Instead, they found another access, through a nearby farm, where impact was minimal and days inched along.

You might think, “She had it easy! What about all the folks around the world who have it much worse?” Yes, I agree with you. I have immense compassion for those folks who survive catastrophic natural disasters and spend years recovering, if at all. Yet when “disaster” strikes so close to home, it becomes paramount, especially when reduced to survival mode.

I am grateful to live in a community where extremely dedicated professionals strive and risk their lives to bring comfort to those around them. I will never gripe about the cost of utilities again.

Copyright © 2011 by Diane LaSauce All Rights Reserved