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Friday, February 19, 2021

ANOTHER FREEZE UPDATE

We know everyone is wondering how things are going.  On the good news side, 98% of all people in our area have electricity.  There wasn't much problem with downed lines it was just the facilities that control the power grid failed because of the freezing.  They did not prep for weather like this (after being told 10 years ago at the last big freeze that they should, but we digress).  

So we have power.  Most everyone does.  Once those places on the grid got their capacity back up, the power came on.  That's the good news.

The bad news is the boil water notice will now extend through at least Monday.  And in more bad news, after having water pressure back somewhat today, it's now back to nothing.  Open the taps and nothing comes out.  Not even a trickle.  There are now lines over a mile long of cars waiting to get water.  People are taking buckets to a spigot in a park where water still comes out.  We're still good for drinking because of our two 5 gallon bottles, we have about a dozen small bottles, and a dozen or so cans of sparkling water.  Plus some soft drinks.  Oh and wine.  We can always have wine, ha!

We are back to getting pool water for the toilet.  We know some of you suggested filling the tub with the pool water to save the back and forth and we may do that if it lasts longer.  For now though it's not that bad, an elevator ride down, a few feet to the pool, a quick dunk of the bucket and back up.  If nothing else, it gets us out of the apartment a few times a day.

In parts of Texas where the temperatures have not gotten above freezing, even with power back on, many heating systems are not working and people are cutting up furniture to burn just to stay warm.


It boggles our mind that here we are, in the year 2021, we just landed a robot on Mars, and yet our way of life is just a freeze, storm, or pandemic away from complete collapse.  There will be more pandemics, more storms, and more epic winters.  It has really made us think about the farm, what we want out there and how best to prepare for the unexpected in the future.

Speaking of the farm, it's back out this weekend for the first time since all this happened a month week ago to see how things fared out there. 

Stay tuned!

14 comments:

  1. some semblance of normal for you...I just cannot believe all the horror stories I am reading. a failure in leadership and preparedness. and don't get me started on fled cruz...

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  2. When you get heat to burn wood, make sure the system is the kind that burns all the ash, making it even hotter, and leaving nothing to be inhaled. Do you have Berkey water filter, the big kind that sits on the table? At least the trek to the pool provides you with exercise and fresh air.

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  3. It is unbelievable that the citizens of Texas are going through this. I am so sorry. I agree with the other person who commented on the failure of leadership and don’t get me started in Cruz either and including leaving his dog in the house during this while on vacation...

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  4. Thank goodness for the pool and your large drinking water containers. My sister has one of those. Unfortunately she is now too frail to replace it so has to either wait for someone to come around or waits until the next delivery and the chap does it. We live too far away so can't help. Also, we are still in lockdown so can't travel anywhere!

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  5. I am so sorry for the state of Texas right now. I hope everything is back to normal sooner rather than later.
    Glad you have the pool handy.

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  6. Thank goodness that you now have heat. Still gathering up snow here and getting what we can before it all melts away. With the sun out yesterday much of our snow had melted, so yes, I'm still boiling water. I just hope that our water gets put back on sometime today.
    Was down to our last bottle of drinking water but Home Depot got 3 pallets in yesterday so hubby bought home 3 cases but within 1 & 1/2 hours those 3 pallets where gone.

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  7. I'm sorry you and your neighbors/state neighbors, still are battling the weather impact. I agree this and last year are having us look at how to better prepare and be more sel freliant-and have extra to help those in need who may not have the opportunity or means to better prepare.

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  8. I feel so bad for all of you down there. We have snow out the _______!! Yesterday, I had to venture out into the weather and found I had a snow drift up to my thigh on the passenger side of my car, Yikes!! I just left it there as it is to warm up to the middle 30's this week. I will let Mother Nature have a little of her own medicine!!!

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  9. You guys are the first people I thought of with the ordeal in Texas. Texas needs another Ann Richards.

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  10. I am so glad that you have power. Hoping your water problems resolve very soon. And very important, you have a supply of wine!
    My heart and prayers go out to all those still dealing with power outages, water problems, food scarcity, fuel shortages, and especially to the families of those who lost their lives from this horrendous weather.
    Unlike Flyin’Ted, or should I call him Fled Ted, or Cancun Cruz, we can’t fly out to a warm, cushy hotel in Mexico – we have to stay and deal with our situations.
    It is unforgiveable that in 2021, the incompetence, greed, and callousness of our state’s leadership and power companies caused this awful disaster. As a result, we are basically on our own and need to really think of ways to make ourselves even more prepared and self-sufficient for the next emergency. Your Farm could be made into a great refuge for y’all.
    Hoping you find that all is well at the Farm this weekend.

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  11. I hope things at the farm are ok. All my citrus is dead, outdoor potted plants are gone. Those can be replaced. Got well repaired this morning, turned on water to house to find busted pipe over kitchen and primary bedroom closet. Turned water off. Still waiting for plumber but at least I can go outside and draw water from the well for the toilet.

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  13. I'm very glad that you are safe!! It was an eye opener for me too. I learned things I did not know and though we planned for food, we didn't plan the for electricity to be off nor did we plan for our microwave to die after it came back on. Our house is entirely electric; we only have gas for the water heater. We'll be making new lists and thinking a little harder about preparation in the future.

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  14. Why is your blog "not secure?" Look at the address.

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