Powerless

Thursday evening took an interesting turn of events with a crazy summer storm. It came out of nowhere, lasted no more than 15 minutes, and took down massive trees and powerlines (and even a gas line a few blocks away -- via the tree roots) throughout the city. We were very lucky -- only minimal damage to one of our dogwoods from a downed oak from across the street. Within a few blocks, I've seen no fewer than 5 houses with trees on (2) or through (3) them and about half a dozen cars under brush. Poor Abby was outside during the storm... she was one wet, frightened kitty! (I kept sneaking out onto the porch during the storm to call for her, but was smart enough not to leave cover -- branches, leaves, and horizontal wind and rain from all directions...

For the next 24 hours, we surveyed the damage, picked up where we could (retying tomatoes and peppers; cutting broken rose canes; collecting brush), and tried to stay cool with no power (and hence AC) as the temperature soared. We were very fortunate to get power back on Friday evening, just in time to start cooling the upstairs before Lizzie's bedtime. We lost a bit from the freezers and fridge, and the basement still feels clammy, but it's not nearly as bad as it might have been. The park is still closed, though, which has Lizzie in a snit. We've tried to go twice now, but the road is blocked by huge trees and massive snarled powerlines across the street. (The gas line that had initially quarantined the area seems to be under control, though.) It'll be weeks before the neighborhood starts to look normal again.

The only other news is that we've had our first tomato. Or rather, Lizzie had our first tomato, and I got to taste a bit before she decided she likes tomato VERY much. Last night we ahd a minor tantrum as I tried to explain that the tomato was gone, and that we didn't have more. She woke up this morning asking for tomato (I kid you not -- usually "bibbies" are first on the list in the AM, or perhaps gai-ai-uh bibbies (granola with yogurt and (dried) blueberries)). So we went to Whole foods first thing (after failing to get to the park, that is), and bought a local tomato. (We had to go anyway -- out of the vaunted hummus, which she also requests (demands) by name -- "humUM!") She's eaten more than half of the giant tomato already, and no doubt will finish up at dinner. Can't wait to see what that does to the diaper.

Okay. Time for dishes and laundry while Lizzie's napping. And perhaps a little nap for me too. (Though Lizzie slept to 5:45 today, so I'm feeling pretty good!)