Iced In

[rps]

I actually started this post a little over an hour ago, but we lost power before I finished. I live near the end of Hoilday Island, not on the golf courses, and we lose power if anyone sneezes. Unexpectedly, we were out for only 20 minutes, and I hope we stay on the grid.

I am glad the power is back. It's a bit dim to read without it, the radio here is a choice of NPR or college town, canned playlist rock (ok but boring) - unless you want to listen to that incredibly awful all sports network where they don't broadcast sports, they only talk trash about it. Like millions of others, that leaves me on the internet. It's very slow today, am I right?

I wish I could be working on my gear. A month ago I ordered a rod blank from Mudhole. I have ordered from them in the past and they were very good at service. This time they were out of the blank I wanted and St. Croix was supposed to drop ship it. I am still waiting, and, although Mudhole is apologetic, that doesn't seem to move St. Croix any faster. If the blank were here I could finish it before classes at school start again... Thursday maybe, Friday probably. I'm pretty sure it won't arrive today as the only vehicles on my road since last night have been the road work trucks from Holiday Island, heading to and from the truck barn.

Still, there are good parts to these isolated, unexpected holidays. The wife and I wind up talking, napping, and just being together. When we were much younger, we used to play cards for "stakes." I'm afraid if I suggested that now days, we might hurt ourselves laughing. Instead, I use days like this as an excuse to cook things outside of the routine. Last night I started the dough for Almost No-Knead Bread. I let it slow rise in the fridge over night and and put it in the oven after the power came back on. I also soaked a pack of those Red Mill 13 bean combos overnight. I put them on the propane stove top with onion, celery, carrot, bell pepper, ham chunks, tomato, thyme, bay, smoky paprika, and pepper. They'll simmer today and be perfect with the bread. Of course we'll grow tired of eating from the huge pot I made, but I can't seem to do ham and beans in small batches.

Before I ramble all the way to boring, I'll stop. Let's hear from those of you stuck at home. What are you doing to pass the time?

[Zack Hoyt]

No electricity loss here in Pea Ridge yet. Wife and I have had enough bonding time for a while.....lol. I am about to retire to the garage with a pipe and Lefty Kreh. I am working on some bass flies and have a few of his videos to watch. May tie a few. Also got some more in a Geirach book to finish. Coffee, flies, tobacco, and a space heater......all a man truly needs to be happy.

[BadKarma]

I'm playin a little Guild Wars, and poppin in to monitor my systems at the office. Put a pot of beans and ham on this morning should be done around dinner time.

Really just relaxing and catching up on a few forums. Gonna tye some later. Need a few more red and green brassies.

[Terry Beeson]

While you wussies are all home cuz you can't get to work... Just kiddin'...

I'm at work. Made it in fine. But all the clinics are closed and not much going on computer wise in the hospitals, so kinda slow... But still able to get to the forums, do a little photo editing, and download some stuff. Then I get to go out at 9pm and de-ice the Dodge, and slide home...

[Danoinark]

Wishin I was at work.... Trying to keep a 9 year old grandson from being bored stiff. Listening to a daughter snore. Planning on having to take the wife to work before dark. Watching idiots tear up my front lawn by driving through it to avoid a tree down on the road, then watch the road crew cut the tree and throw most of it on my front lot.. I wouldn't want their job though. My hats off to them. I can't believe we still have power. It's out just up the road and all around me.

I am just not optimistic it will stay on.

[Flysmallie]

I really wish that I went fishing like I had planned on. But instead I decided to stay home get some work done and spend some time with the kids. Brought the vise in out of the garage so it could warm-up. I might be able to tie some flies later. I'm afraid to get too close to it, might freeze my tounge to it again .

I have no idea where my kids are hiding at but it's obvious that they don't care to spend any time with Dad right now. They only cruise through the living room every once in a while to get some more munchies, pausing only long enough to change the channel on the TV to the Disney Channel or Nickelodeon. I can't see what's on from where I'm at but I can still hear it. It's driving me crazy.

I really wish I would have went fishing like I planned.

[bclift65706]

went to the coffee shop then to wal mart went home and took a nap went to another coffee shop back home and checking the fourm and might take another nap. I dont plow snow anymore so just board I guess.

[Danoinark]

Power went off Tuesday at 3:30 pm, came on at 6:30 tonight (Sat) We made it fine. Thanks to a Kero heater, a propane grill, oil lamps, a yahtzee game, battery powered radio all is well. A few limbs down but we were lucky compared to many in the Harrison / Boone County, North Arkansas area. Our road out was blocked for a couple of days, but those of us that lived along the road got it pretty well opened (cutting trees and limbs blocking the roadway) before the county road department got in this area. Right now I am waiting for the hot water. I am a bit crusty, but I think that also comes with age. I hope everyone is faring well now.

Dano

[rps]

We wound up losing power on Tuesday, but we actually got it back late Friday. The hot shower was wonderful. Limbs are down all over Holiday Island and Eureka. I went in to school today to do some grading and those on the Lake Lucerne road and other side roads are still without power.

By the way, the rod blank was in the late Friday delivery. Started filing the cork today.

Hope all are well and bathed by now.

rps

[Quillback]

Glad to hear the power is coming on for folks. Can't wait for spring time fishing and wam weather.