My First Pocono Ice Storm Power Outage!!!

Lola Coalfire · Post by **Lola Coalfire** » Sat. Dec. 26, 2009 7:49 am

It was with a smugness, unknown to those souls dependent on the grid, that I greeted the early morning power outage this morning. I'd already had a cup of espresso, (thank heavens), when the failure hit in the dark. Sauntering over to my Christmas present of a bevy of hurricane lamps, I lit one and placed it up high to illuminate the room. The pendulum-powered Cookoo klock said 6:10. The ice was blasting outside as I turned the brass knob of the interior, hand-rubbed oak door which conceals the coal bin. Shovelling out a hod in the dark was no challenge: As you all know, we do it second nature. The stove welcomed the new coal with a chorus of Blue Ladies. Into only my second lovely hour of power failure, the darn electricity came on. Grrrrrr went the well pump, flash went the Christmas lights. Oh well, euphoria can't last forever.

Lola in Lalaland!

Poconoeagle · Post by **Poconoeagle** » Sat. Dec. 26, 2009 8:57 am

Wow. out of the darkness comes bliss... and a new appreciation for several 5gal containers of "toilet flushing" water!

.. Its great to know there's no specific "sine" required for the oil lamps to lite.........

CoalHeat · Post by **CoalHeat** » Sat. Dec. 26, 2009 9:07 am

The ice was blasting outside as I turned the brass knob of the interior, hand-rubbed oak door which conceals the coal bin

My coal bin door is highly polished solid brass.

Lola Coalfire · Post by **Lola Coalfire** » Sat. Dec. 26, 2009 9:24 am

Neato! Lemme see the brass door!!

CoalHeat · Post by **CoalHeat** » Sat. Dec. 26, 2009 9:31 am

My butler refused to touch anything but highly polished brass when fetching coal for the hand-fed. He uses a highly polished brass coal scuttle and shovel as well. He claims anything less soils his white gloves. I think he is a bit obsessive-compulsive.

coalkirk · Post by **coalkirk** » Sat. Dec. 26, 2009 9:34 am

Lola Coalfire wrote:It was with a smugness, unknown to those souls dependent on the grid, that I greeted the early morning power outage this morning. I'd already had a cup of espresso, (thank heavens), when the failure hit in the dark. Sauntering over to my Christmas present of a bevy of hurricane lamps, I lit one and placed it up high to illuminate the room. The pendulum-powered Cookoo klock said 6:10. The ice was blasting outside as I turned the brass knob of the interior, hand-rubbed oak door which conceals the coal bin. Shovelling out a hod in the dark was no challenge: As you all know, we do it second nature. The stove welcomed the new coal with a chorus of Blue Ladies. Into only my second lovely hour of power failure, the darn electricity came on. Grrrrrr went the well pump, flash went the Christmas lights. Oh well, euphoria can't last forever.
Lola in Lalaland!

WOW! Lola you are quite a good writer. I was really getting into it until your darn power came back on.

Lola Coalfire · Post by **Lola Coalfire** » Sat. Dec. 26, 2009 9:51 am

Why, thank you, Coalkirk. I'll pay you later.
I'm quite disappointed in Woodandcoal, though. I was so looking forward to seeing a bank vault door guarding the coal repository!

009to090 · Post by **009to090** » Sat. Dec. 26, 2009 9:55 am

Lola Coalfire wrote:Why, thank you, Coalkirk. I'll pay you later.
I'm quite disappointed in Woodandcoal, though. I was so looking forward to seeing a bank vault door guarding the coal repository!

He better get some pics posted. I bet its a 6" x 6" door. Bras, my a$$

CoalHeat · Post by **CoalHeat** » Sat. Dec. 26, 2009 9:56 am

DVC500 at last wrote:
Lola Coalfire wrote:Why, thank you, Coalkirk. I'll pay you later.
I'm quite disappointed in Woodandcoal, though. I was so looking forward to seeing a bank vault door guarding the coal repository!
He better get some pics posted. I bet its a 6" x 6" door. Bras, my a$$

RMA · Post by **RMA** » Sat. Dec. 26, 2009 12:25 pm

Wood'nCoal wrote:

My butler refused to touch anything but highly polished brass when fetching coal for the hand-fed. He uses a highly polished brass coal scuttle and shovel as well. He claims anything less soils his white gloves. I think he is a bit obsessive-compulsive.

Consider yourself fortunate.
Life has been difficult here "ever since the Maid took-off with the Butler..."

Bob

RMA · Post by **RMA** » Sat. Dec. 26, 2009 12:32 pm

DVC500 at last wrote:
Lola Coalfire wrote:Why, thank you, Coalkirk. I'll pay you later.
I'm quite disappointed in Woodandcoal, though. I was so looking forward to seeing a bank vault door guarding the coal repository!
He better get some pics posted. I bet its a 6" x 6" door. Bras, my a$$

Chris,

Did you "slip" some Freudian connotation to your typemanship?

Bob

wsherrick · Post by **wsherrick** » Sat. Dec. 26, 2009 1:04 pm

Excellent story. It is much the same at my house as we have Alladin Mantle Lamps (which I use even when the power is on) and the Victrola. The only other thing you needed was to have a nice Castle Waltz or some Hot Jazz playing on the old Victrola.

Lola Coalfire · Post by **Lola Coalfire** » Sat. Dec. 26, 2009 2:39 pm

Ahhh, you craft a cozy picture there, ws! The Castle waltz sounds perfect. Next time, and perhaps you could confirm that there will be power outages ahead in these Poconos, I'll pick up the old accordian and play tango or polka, depending on the weather.

GeorgiePorgie · Post by **GeorgiePorgie** » Sat. Dec. 26, 2009 3:28 pm

The Ice was beautiful, and figured it won't last too long, so I went out and made me a movie:

Then I made the second one with Christmas Music:

stockingfull · Post by **stockingfull** » Sat. Dec. 26, 2009 4:15 pm

coalkirk wrote:
Lola Coalfire wrote:It was with a smugness, unknown to those souls dependent on the grid, that I greeted the early morning power outage this morning. I'd already had a cup of espresso, (thank heavens), when the failure hit in the dark. Sauntering over to my Christmas present of a bevy of hurricane lamps, I lit one and placed it up high to illuminate the room. The pendulum-powered Cookoo klock said 6:10. The ice was blasting outside as I turned the brass knob of the interior, hand-rubbed oak door which conceals the coal bin. Shovelling out a hod in the dark was no challenge: As you all know, we do it second nature. The stove welcomed the new coal with a chorus of Blue Ladies. Into only my second lovely hour of power failure, the darn electricity came on. Grrrrrr went the well pump, flash went the Christmas lights. Oh well, euphoria can't last forever.
Lola in Lalaland!
WOW! Lola you are quite a good writer. I was really getting into it until your darn power came back on.

Hey, Lola, you've also performed a species of yuletide miracle: you've done something coalkirk and I completely agree upon!

I nominate you for "poet laureate" of the coal forum -- or "prose laureate," or whatever. Bravo!