S.O.S. etched on an icy window
In realistic retrospect I don't know if I'm glad or disappointed.
I'm not exactly in the mood to go into the bone-chilling details, but I'll give a (quick?) recap.
The temperature dropped to 9 degrees (Fahrenheit) on Monday night. I knew there was no possibility of sleeping in my bedroom, since it's the coldest room in the house. It doesn't need a heater. It needs an exorcist.
By dusk it was so bitterly cold that I took the mattress off my bed and dragged it into a small interior room which contains one of my pianos, a desk, and some bookcases.
I piled blankets on the mattress and plugged in the tiny, El Cheapo Walmart heater.
Heat was minimal (at best) but it was better than nothing (almost).
I crawled into bed at 7:00 p.m.
The two cats burrowed into the covers and we snuggled together in one cozy (and uncomfortable) cocoon. I had to periodically get up all night to make sure the water pipes didn't freeze.
I was overjoyed to see (rare) sunlight at dawn, but it seemed even colder than it was overnight. I felt so sick (and cold) that I went back to bed.
While I was in Shivering Dreamland, loud knocking on the front door woke me up.
It was the heating repair guy - along with a second heating repair guy.
Fast Forward
The furnace is in worse shape than I initially thought: burned-out parts, worn-out components. They replaced some things and got it working. It doesn't yet heat to full-capacity, but it's a VAST improvement from having no heat at all.
They'll return in the near future (hopefully) to replace another part and install a new thermostat.
I know how to replace thermostats. I successfully did it in my Texas house, but I figured it's better to leave it to the "experts".
Anyway, I finally have heat again. And I'm delighted. It's Wednesday morning and only 14 degrees Fahrenheit as I'm writing this.
My cat Scratch (also known as Kitzee), sleeping on my legs last night.
THANK YOU for your comments on my previous post!!!
thank goodness you have heat again. i'm glad to hear you made it through the night. hang in there.
ReplyDeleteI'm hanging by a thread, but at least I'm still hanging (*smile*). Thanks!
DeleteThank goodness you have finally got some warmth. What you need is a few woollen garments for you and the cats to cuddle into. There's nothing worse than freezing weather so a few preparations are in order, aside from the furnace I mean. Or maybe a good woman!
ReplyDeleteI was completely unprepared because I never expected it to be this cold in March! I used to have a fireplace when I lived in Texas but I don't have one here. I'm considering getting a wood-burning stove.
DeleteThank you so much for updating us, Jon! Those heating-repairmen sound truly concerned; what a quick turn-around! Tom is always saying, (he thinks) folks in the South are a more caring lot.
ReplyDeleteThe repairmen were concerned and I'm grateful that they returned so soon. Most of the people around here are extremely nice.
Delete....now that I've said that, I'll probably get murdered by a roving band of hillbillies...
Hallelujah!!! :)
ReplyDeleteDitto!
DeleteHi Jon,
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to read about your troubles with the furnace. Freezing inside the house is awful. Let's hope everything works out with that - as well as the weather finally warming up.
I've spent time away in Africa. I finally took the plunge and met my cousin who lives in South Africa. We journeyed through many countries. I loved it all, especially Tanzania and the Serengeti. We met with Maasai people who were a whole other experience. No one can out run or out jump any of them on this planet. They'd win gold medals hands down in the Olympics. No question.
I'm pleased that your kitties are doing well and keeping you warm. Take care ...
Helga, the problems never cease. I thought winter was nearly over and NEVER expected it to get this cold in March.
DeleteWow - your African adventure sounds fantastic!! Is that the first time you've been there? I'm glad you got to meet your cousin.
There's something almost superhuman about those runners - they have always been unsurpassed.
Thanks so much for dropping by ( you're disappearance worried me).
Home ownership has endless problems for all of us. There's always something breaking down which requires fixing - or replacing. It's all a huge pain in the butt. I know it's gotten on my nerves. March sounds good in theory, yet we could use some warmer weather. It'll show up soon ... I hope.
DeleteYes, that was my first time to Africa. My cousin has lived in South Africa for over 15 years and he's always been inviting me to come visit. It's the long flights that deterred me. I don't like flying. Morocco is said to be worth a visit. Alluring was the word I kept hearing from others. Sorry to worry you - the trip was spur of the moment.
I don't like flying, either, and I hate long flights - but I'm glad you had a safe and enjoyable trip. Morocco sounds extremely intriguing (perhaps I've seen too many old Hollywood movies....)
DeleteI am so happy to know that you have heat even though it is not 100%. I know the challenges of living in the wilderness, I have no cell phone reception either and lots of critters here in the mountains. However, I often see life as a trade off. I moved here from Philadelphia where my car was stolen (and totaled) then I went to visit cousins in Texas and when I came home I had been robbed. That was not how I wanted to live my life so even with the inconveniences I love living in the forest!
ReplyDeleteI loved big city life when I was young, but over the years bitter experience (much like yours) has changed my views drastically. I finally got to the point where if I never saw another person it would be too soon.
DeleteThere are MANY inconveniences and problems here in the wilderness, but I'd still rather be here than sandwiched in with so-called "humanity". I savor the peace and privacy.
Well, Im glad to hear you got some heat!!!!! I hope things only keep improving. When hurricane Sandy hit a couple years back, we lost power for about a week, and it was getting cold as hell in my apartment. Someone told me to get out a loaf pan. Place a pillar candle on the smaller side inside the pan. Over the top of the pan, your to place upside down a terra cotta pot with a drain hole on the bottom, over the pan so it straddles the sides of the pan, and then place a slightly larger one over that smaller one...so one is inside of the other. Once the candle is lit, the pots heat up. I don't know how it worked, but it did. It heated a whole room. It must have something to do with the air circulation. A good trick if you ever lose power or your furnace acts up again. I keep this set up in the closet in case I ever need it again.
ReplyDeleteThe link worked. The terra cotta/loaf pan heater is amazing! I've never heard of it before but it's definitely worth a try. Thanks for the input!!
DeleteYou can use tea lights also Jon. Here's a link toTerra cotta heaters
ReplyDeleteI hope I inserted the link right.
Glad to hear things are a little better, take care
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dave!
DeleteRelieved to learn your heater repair people were able to get the furnace even minimally functional. It's an icier world without them. Here we had 24 hours of barometric bouncing that woke me to thunderclaps and migraine. Couldn't even eat --stayed in bed all day. Now it's 11 p.m. and I'm ok. Still, I'm not sure this would be a good time to trade Wednesdays with each other. Onward to tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear about the migraine - - unfortunately they visit me often. Lately all I ever feel like doing is staying in bed. It's about the safest place to be......
DeleteI'll try to keep this frgid TN weather from coming your way.
The best thing I ever did was buy an electric blanket and an old fashion water bottle when there is no electricity. It has been a could year.
ReplyDeleteAn electric blanket is a great idea (as long as the electric power stays on), but I've never tried using a hot water bottle.
DeleteHoly moley! I'm sorry it was so frigidly cold there. What a horrible time for the furnace to quit on you. I agree with Betty. An electric blanket would be fantastic for you. Here's hoping spring weather will get there really soon. Winter made a brief return engagement here, too, but it wasn't anywhere near as cold as what you had. Hang in there. Winter can't last forever...
ReplyDeleteI THINK this is the last of the very cold weather, but I could be wrong. Last year we had frost in April, which killed all the blossoms.
DeleteOkay, I'll be honest - - I have nothing against electric blankets, BUT I always fear that I'll be electrocuted while I'm sleeping....
When I used an electric blanket, I just used it to "pre-heat" the bed before I crawled between the sheets. I turned it way down of off to sleep.
Delete