This bout of extreme cold weather has left me with water pipes that are frozen. As I wait for the guy to arrive and solve this problem for me, I am forced to reconsider my relationship with water itself.
Luckily, I have great neighbours next door. They are happy to fill my buckets, pots and my Brita jug with cold water.
The fireplace is gas, so I’ve devised a method of placing dutch ovens atop to heat the water. I still find myself turning on the taps on autopilot. You do get so used to having running water in the bathroom, in the kitchen.
It’s the same with hydro. You flick a switch and the lights are on. The stove heats up. The microwave instantly reheats last night’s leftovers and warms up the room temperature cup of coffee you left sitting on the counter while you schemed.
This is my latest foray into the idea of conservation. The power outage a few years back was also an awakening. As is this situation.
It’s true you can’t do everything yourself. You do need the help of others from time to time. I thought to steam the exposed pipes with a boiling kettle of water as I eased my anxiety. Knowing full well, the water pipes run along the exterior wall of the house, I hope this will make some small difference. Maybe it will, maybe it won’t. But I need to do something to kill time while I wait for the guy to arrive.
I’m not the kind that usually panics. I do have to rely on my creative and critical thinking skills to see my way thru this situation.
Things like, leaving filled pitchers near the sinks. Leaving a filled bucket (or two) of precious H20 in the bathtub for easy access to fill the toilet tank. I am not taking for granted just how fortunate I am that I have a home with taps. I live in a time where there are others who have less, no access to the creature comforts I have come to expect and automatically am used to having.
And while it would be easy to focus on the negative aspects of not having water, I will just use this experience to test my resilience, and patience. My latest mantra is: relief is not that far away. The phone rings. The guy is on his way.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Friday, October 15, 2010
Back on Track
There are those who think I've lost my marbles.
There are those who think there were no marbles at all to begin with.
(Isn't that right, BW?)
So in light of all that has occurred--
I direct this to my greatest critics. (and you know who you are)
Actually--it all matters not.
My potential exists.
As does yours.
Time to proceed.
Time to move on from what was.
Time to make some plans.
Time to invite a miracle.
It's great to be back on track!
There are those who think there were no marbles at all to begin with.
(Isn't that right, BW?)
So in light of all that has occurred--
I direct this to my greatest critics. (and you know who you are)
Actually--it all matters not.
My potential exists.
As does yours.
Time to proceed.
Time to move on from what was.
Time to make some plans.
Time to invite a miracle.
It's great to be back on track!
Friday, June 11, 2010
Don't Believe Everything They Tell You
Today I called a creditor to make payment arrangements regarding my account. After taking a small financial hit, I wanted to ensure my account remained in good standing despite my situation.
The CSR recommended I let the account go 'delinquent' before they could do anything for me. Did I hear that correctly? Do not make a payment, then we can help you.
Right. Screw up my credit. Great advice. Obviously the person on the other end of the phone was merely (a) doing their job or (b) going thru the motions with the appearance of doing their job or (c) had no idea who they were talking to.
If I want to damage my credit score, I can do it on my own.
Being advised to is an entirely different matter.
That's how we do things, the representative said. Indeed.
I called again. As this so-called advice did not sit well with me. Spoke with another individual who made the same recommendation. It's the only way, so-in-so advised.
After requesting a supervisor, the demeanor changed. Clearly I wasn't going to heed this bad advice. The supervisor won't tell you anything I haven't, she cooed.
I insisted upon speaking to one, regardless. Reluctantly I was passed to someone who actually assisted me with options, available programs to participate in and described in great detail what would be viable arrangements in no nonsense terms.
Had I not persisted--I might have shot myself in the proverbial foot.
Don't believe everything they tell you.
Trust your gut instincts.
Keep asking your questions until you feel satisfied you've explored all the options.
Then and only then should you chart your next course of action.
Caveat emptor. Indeed.
The CSR recommended I let the account go 'delinquent' before they could do anything for me. Did I hear that correctly? Do not make a payment, then we can help you.
Right. Screw up my credit. Great advice. Obviously the person on the other end of the phone was merely (a) doing their job or (b) going thru the motions with the appearance of doing their job or (c) had no idea who they were talking to.
If I want to damage my credit score, I can do it on my own.
Being advised to is an entirely different matter.
That's how we do things, the representative said. Indeed.
I called again. As this so-called advice did not sit well with me. Spoke with another individual who made the same recommendation. It's the only way, so-in-so advised.
After requesting a supervisor, the demeanor changed. Clearly I wasn't going to heed this bad advice. The supervisor won't tell you anything I haven't, she cooed.
I insisted upon speaking to one, regardless. Reluctantly I was passed to someone who actually assisted me with options, available programs to participate in and described in great detail what would be viable arrangements in no nonsense terms.
Had I not persisted--I might have shot myself in the proverbial foot.
Don't believe everything they tell you.
Trust your gut instincts.
Keep asking your questions until you feel satisfied you've explored all the options.
Then and only then should you chart your next course of action.
Caveat emptor. Indeed.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Today's Wisdom is from Pronoia by Rob Brezsny
I love sharing snippets of wisdom that I have discovered.
Today's is no exception.
Maybe this will provoke your thoughts, maybe not.
I am a huge fan of quoting quotes from others.
My favourites will always appear here. Enjoy!
...
Today's Wisdom is from Pronoia by Rob Brezsny:
Thousands of things go right for you every day, beginning the moment you wake up. Through some magic you don't fully understand, you're still breathing and your heart is beating, even though you've been unconscious for many hours. The air is a mix of gases that's just right for your body's needs, as it was before you fell asleep.
You can see! Light of many colors floods into your eyes, registered by nerves that took God or evolution or some process millions of years to perfect. The interesting gift of these vivid hues is made possible by an unimaginably immense globe of fire, the sun, which continually detonates nuclear reactions in order to convert its own body into light and heat and energy for your personal use.
*
The preceding oracle comes from my new book, PRONOIA Is the Antidote for Paranoia: How the Whole World Is Conspiring to Shower You with Blessings.
...
Take care til next time! Hamiltonwriter
Today's is no exception.
Maybe this will provoke your thoughts, maybe not.
I am a huge fan of quoting quotes from others.
My favourites will always appear here. Enjoy!
...
Today's Wisdom is from Pronoia by Rob Brezsny:
Thousands of things go right for you every day, beginning the moment you wake up. Through some magic you don't fully understand, you're still breathing and your heart is beating, even though you've been unconscious for many hours. The air is a mix of gases that's just right for your body's needs, as it was before you fell asleep.
You can see! Light of many colors floods into your eyes, registered by nerves that took God or evolution or some process millions of years to perfect. The interesting gift of these vivid hues is made possible by an unimaginably immense globe of fire, the sun, which continually detonates nuclear reactions in order to convert its own body into light and heat and energy for your personal use.
*
The preceding oracle comes from my new book, PRONOIA Is the Antidote for Paranoia: How the Whole World Is Conspiring to Shower You with Blessings.
...
Take care til next time! Hamiltonwriter
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