By now you have certainly heard about the big storm that has knocked out power in the North East. Our power went out at around 10 p.m., but our power goes out about once a week, so I didn’t realize what a big deal this would turn out to be. The best estimates at this point is that we will get power back in 3-5 days.
The problem with not having power at the farm is that no power equals no water. No water on a cool day is a huge problem. No water during the hottest week of the year is just not possible when you have more than 100 animals to care for. We have a small generator but it’s far too small to run the water pump.
This morning I triaged by going to the closest open grocery store (most had no power) and buying 260 pound of ice. Charlotte and I dumped ice into the water tanks in every pasture but 260 pounds of ice doesn’t equal much water when it melts.
I called Amy (who has power) about something else and when she heard I didn’t have power, she sent Paul over with their big generator.
Zac and Caroline, who were on vacation last week, got home just before Paul arrived. Charlotte and I looked like we spent a long weekend in hell by that time. (It’s around 90 degrees in the house.)
Paul had to do a bit of wiring to get everything we needed on one circuit for the generator to power. Basically, we now have the water pump working, one light, one electric outlet and the refrigerator. No a/c, no internet, no water heater. It sucks but having water is the only important thing. How lucky are we to have Paul and Amy?
Did you know that geese pant? Me either, but they do.
The puppies are hot but still adorable.
Remember the panting thing with geese? Chickens too.
Zac is now on 24/7 generator duty until the power is back. We’re going through a gallon of diesel an hour (@$3.50/gallon) so I don’t know how long we’ll be able to keep this going, but for now, we’re doing okay. Keep your fingers crossed that the heat breaks soon and that the electricity comes back sooner than expected.
We’re over at Amy’s house now, cooling off a bit and using the internet. Our friend Lisa is here too, because they lost power too, but they also had a giant tree fall on their house and car.
I’m not sure when I’ll be back to the blog but I wanted to let you know that we are okay. Hot, but okay.
