Plans and Other Silliness

 

               Plans and Other Silliness

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This is the fifth named storm of the hurricane season, heading straight for our little town of Oconahua, like an arrow shot from a giant’s bow. Erick is its name.

Oh, wait. I was just reminded there is no such thing as a hurricane season.

How silly of me. I forget a lot these days, as it seems many things I thought I knew or could count on are being declared null and void. Silly me.

In my daftness of mind, I make plans, which truly is a silly thing to do. Nevertheless. I do.

My master plan to wait out two days of forecast non-stop rain, which no doubt, will include loss of electric power, loss of internet and loss of phone service, begins in the kitchen.

My dough is resting in the refrigerator. I mixed pumpkin pulp from the pumpkin Michelle gave me from her garden into pie filling. Pumpkin pie will be Phase One.

Phase Two will be another pie, made from my 15-Bean Soup, which I load with veggies. Years ago, I discovered this thick soup makes a yummy pie. Pies are good keepers for those “just in case” times. Such as, just in case I don’t want to open the refrigerator because the power is OUT.

Phase Three is to mix a slurry from ciruelas and mangos, both from local neighboring gardens, which will make aqua frescas enough for four days.

Phase Four, to be activated tomorrow, since we are assured, despite bigger brains than mine saying there is no such thing, that tomorrow will bring an entire day of non-stop rain, courtesy of Erick, beginning around 5:00 this afternoon, through the night and on and on and on, is a much-needed and thorough house cleaning. Personally, I think my plan is brilliant. Cleaning, washing, mopping and such require no electricity, no phone, no internet. I gladly put it off until tomorrow, a rainy-day chore.

Meanwhile, my E-Reader is fully activated and fully booked.

No woman could ask for more.

Updated report: Rain to begin in one hour. Wait, it’s only noon!

Further update: I still have power. I have no patio, such slab being underwater. Cilantro drowned. All else thriving, including my own self.

Rain continues, forecast for more into Monday. Then, woohoo, Guess what! Another tropical storm ramping up in the Pacific, forecast rain.

Silly of me to make plans. Nothing in my life up to and including now has gone to plan. Yet, I continue in hope.

Perhaps “plan” is the wrong word. Maybe a series of words would be better, such as Maybe I can do this, go here, accomplish that. Add a codicil: Might or might not happen.

Sondra Ashton

HWC: Looking out my back door

June 26, 2025

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