Monday, November 23, 2009

Cooooold....


This is how I felt this weekend but especially today. My fifteen year old oil tank had to be replaced, as is the law on PEI. I canceled oil delivery months ago waiting for this fateful day. Somehow I knew it would be the weekend when I ran out of oil and so it was.

I had been painting ceilings for a couple of days and because I didn't want to put a painting hat on wet hair waited till Sunday morning to wash my hair. I turned the shower on, had a pee, which is exactly the right time required for the shower to become hot, and jumped into the shower head first. I got the shock of my life! If course with dirty hair you have no choice. You must go ahead... and wash your hair. With long hair, as I have, there is also no choice. You have to condition your hair. I would never get a brush or comb through otherwise.

I shivered through the task and I must say this was all very, very uncomfortably cold. There was not an ounce of warmth in the water. I must have ran out of oil on Saturday evening or very soon after midnight as there would have otherwise have been some heat left in the water system. I was shivering the rest of the morning till I got out of the house, into the car and off to a friend's for the day. I went to another friend's house for dinner and went to bed as soon as I got home.

Today was terribly cold in the house. Even with frost on the ground this morning it was warmer out of doors. I had to stay around all day because of the installation thus couldn't escape like yesterday. Thankfully it is all over with. The workers had everything finished at 11:30 and I got oil around 2:30. I spent a lot of time on the deck as it was so much warmer outside.

We have broken all records with the glorious weather we've been experiencing this month of November. In my fifty plus years, I can't remember better November weather. This cold weekend kind of hurt in that way. I just will try to remember that the cold was only inside my house. The long woods walk I took yesterday and the two wonderful walks earlier in the week I had are what the world really was like....all warmth and beauty. I've had meaningful gatherings this week too - four different dinners, two here and two at other friend's homes. A good week...

In honour of cold, I'm playing a favorite old-time country song. I grew up on Hank Williams and here is one of his best, Cold Cold Heart. Phil Campbell has a wonderful song too that will fit perfectly. Give a listen to Cold Engines.

4 comments:

Ralph said...

This is a funny story, Cuidado, even though I know you suffered. You jumping into that cold shower sounds like something on I Love Lucy. I'm glad for you things are better now!

Cuidado said...

I just got out of a hot steaming shower, Ralph and am so glad to have a warm house again. The new tank is good for twenty-five years not fifteen so I no longer have to worry about that. I told the guys yesterday that in my next life I am going to get a new tank in the summer.

I like the I Love Lucy comparison.

Carol Tiffin James said...

My mom always said, "Everything happens on the weekend," and I've found that to be true. Even in the South, though, if your air conditioning goes out during the summer, at least you can take a shower!

That's interesting about the oil tank law. We must not have one here.

Cuidado said...

The oil tank law is very good for safely. There are less oil leaks now. However, it costs a lot for an oil tank - 1200. plus taxes. The new one is rated for 25 years.