What to do when the power goes out

I was relieved to hear the regrigerator running when I woke up at 6:30 this morning. I'm lucky. The province and city are both at 10 per cent power, and only five of Guelph's 48 circuits have been restored so far. The local radio station I'm listening to, CJOY, still doesn't have power and is operating on a gas generator.

I tuned in last night; they said power was first restored to the sewage treatment plant and Guelph General Hospital. Transit buses are running this morning, but most non-essential businesses are closed today.

Some guy in a pickup truck just rear-ended a couple cars outside my window. I can't believe how many people are driving on Highway 7. Everything is closed. Streetlights are out. The police are telling people to stay home. Where are they all going? Why was this guy in such a hurry?



I was writing at my desk when the power went out yesterday at 4:12 p.m. I worked for two more hours, hoping it would come back on by the time I finished. I had tortillas with cream cheese and yellow plums for dinner, then with nothing else to do, I went for a walk.

By that time I still didn't realize the extent of the problem. I thought it might just be my neighbourhood. I walked down to the community pool at Lyon Park to see if I could cool off, but of course it was closed.

So I went and took some photos of the lovely evening.



Walking home along Kingsmill Avenue, I stopped and chatted with an elderly couple sitting on their porch. They told me the news: Ontario, Toronto, New York, the whole Eastern seaboard. I came home, got a book and went back to the park, sat by the river and read in the falling light.

When darkness started to come, I wandered home again. People were sitting on their front steps with candles, chatting with neighbours in the streets. It was cooler outdoors.

The apartment was quiet and dark. I lit a candle and read a while longer. I started to think of places I would rather be, things I would rather be doing. It's lonely when the lights go out.

Finally I went for another long walk, this time to the countryside. I've never gone down Lilac Way in the dark. I expected pitch blackness, but the chemical plant across the river had its own power.



But the stars were still bright, and the insect chorus was symphonic. I stayed out until after 11 when a ruddy moon started to rise over the meadow.

On the way home I saw someone lighting fireworks and sparklers in a nearby parking lot.

At home I opened the windows to let cool evening air into the apartment. I lay on the futon in the living room and listened to the radio until after 2 a.m.

It says to expect rolling blackouts today. I'm going to post this entry now in case I lose my connection.

Camping with Danny

On Friday Danny djjo and I went to a clothing-optional gay campground at Turkey Point with my friends Mark and Bob. It was bear jamboree weekend and the tent sites were full to overflowing with beefy, hairy men. Here are Bob, Jake and Mark relaxing on the site.



Thunderclouds wandered around the sky for two days, but the storms and rain stayed away.

Many campers bought a meal and drink plan for $60, but Mark was always complaining about the food being to cold, or not ready when they wanted it. Danny and I brought our own food and were happier keeping our own schedule.

Friday night while my friends went gallavanting, Danny and I sat with Jake by the fire and drank Strongbow Cider. In the mornings we would sit on our site, Danny knitting something in soft shades of purple and blue yarn, and me writing in my notebook.

Saturday we drove to Turkey Point Provincial Park and explored a nature trail near the shore of Lake Erie. Danny took some wonderful photos of mushrooms and so on. He has a much nicer camera than I do. But I did manage to take a few decent shots.



Fortunately the weather was warm (this has been a cool, wet summer for Ontario), and we spent many enjoyable hours floating in the pool, alternately smooching and enjoying the view. We made some new acquaintances and chatted with a few old ones from Toronto and London, but mostly Danny and I relaxed and kept to ourselves.

As for the nights, going to bed and waking up were the most pleasant experiences I have had in a long time, full of tenderness and exuberance.



The rain didn't come until Sunday afternoon after we had packed the car and gone for a final swim for relief from the heat. As we drove out of the campground, the sky finally opened up.

Hungry writer

My friend halation is looking for patrons. She writes vivid and evocative poetry. I can't contribute monetarily, so I'm passing the word along. At least check out her journal.

Weird and lovely

All you lovers of botanical curiosities, or even just things bizarre and beautiful, will enjoy this photo by trospero. His previous post shows a closeup and explains what it is.