January 12, 2009
-
Tropical Temperatures
That’s probably overstating the case, but after three weeks of twenties and thirties below zero Fahrenheit, single digits above zero suddenly feels warm. The cats are going in and out at will. I wish they’d make an effort to close the door after themselves.
Doug shoveled the berm from behind the car, and has been melting bucketfuls of snow in the pots on the woodstove, as I slept last night — four buckets so far. Two of the three pots we keep there for hot water had boiled dry yesterday because I had started conserving spring water for drinking. Now two of them are full, but he just unthinkingly poured spring water to wash a frying pan.
I hope I get the car started soon, or find an alternate way to get to the spring. I am not thrilled with the idea of drinking the melted snow. My first act today, after lifting a lid and looking into one of those pots, was to get a tea strainer and skim off the floating tree parts.
Current conversation:
Doug [at kitchen stove]: I can’t offer you a hamburger. This is the last one.Me: I told you we should buy hamburger when we were at Cubby’s. If we both live long enough, maybe someday you’ll realize your mother is not as stupid as she looks.
. . .Doug: There’s just no appropriate comeback to that… and besides, the timing is already spoiled.
. . .Me [late, as I often am, but timing has never been my strongest suit]: That’s an accomplishment. I hardly ever say anything that you don’t have a comeback for.
Comments (5)
Mothers ALWAYS know best!
Hey, we’re going to have tropical temps on Friday too! We’ll finally match. Single digits is extraordinarily cold for us. I don’t envy you toting water around. That stuff is heavy.
@butshebites - Since my hospitalization last winter, I haven’t toted more than two or three gallons at a time. Doug does all the heavy lifting.
I emphasize doing without water. We have melted snow for the toilet and boiled water for dishes and taken a really skimpy bath with melted snow. We were so glad to finally have a well and water. We formerly had to bring in our drinking water and everything else came from the creek when the pump was actually working. My hubby and I jockingly said ‘it will make great stories to tell the grandkids”.
@KarlaandSuperMedic - I have discovered that many Xangans are interested in my stories about living without running water, and the photos I have taken of our trips to the spring for water. Good stories, indeed.