IN HOT WATER!

We were advised, yes advised, on Monday, to boil all tap water.  The local news broadcasters told us, the papers told us, and the electronic road signs (those that normally tell us that old couple have gone missing, or to 'turn around, don't drown') told us!  'Austin residents! Before drinking or cooking, boil tap water".  Ice was no longer safe to put in drinks.  The soft drinks machines were out of action.  Coffee houses were unable to provide anything than 'regular' coffee, and restaurants could only offer (unless you were partial to an alcoholic beverage)  coffee, tea or a limited variety of bottled carbonated drinks.  The city of Austin had come to a complete standstill!  Forget snow, forget air quality due to searing temperatures, forget the 'turn around, don't drown' warnings.  Austin did not have soda's, nor fappe-mocha-cappu-lattes, or ccino's of any variety!  However, cometh the hour, cometh the man! (Or Woman!)  I had not one, but two kettles!  Us Brits have survived far worse!  

I do apologise if I am sounding somewhat flippant, but it is a case of one's culture, and the things that are familiar to us.  I am sure that most of us have heard the phrase, "Children in parts of the world would be glad of this dinner", when we have turned up our nose at something our mother has placed in front of us at mealtimes.  However, our 'culture' makes it impossible for us to fathom what it would be like (on a regular basis) to go out and 'hunt' for our supper.  My husband's idea of hardship travelling across the States as a child, would have been absolutely joyous to me.  "We couldn't afford much and only stopped at hamburger joints".  Wow!  That would have been incredible!  The thought of stopping and buying food on a long journey, especially hamburgers, rather than having sandwiches made by my mum (which were very delicious) would have been beyond belief, but I digress!

The city's directive was to 'boil water for three minutes'.  Apparently, all pathogens (or known pathogens) are destroyed at this point.  As of Monday, this was only precautionary, but restaurants and shops had to abide to safeguard themselves.  My kettles boiled for about thirty seconds, and I felt satisfied!  There were, apparently, no signs of any problems, but due to the vast amount of rain, the 'treatment' centres were under a lot of pressure, and absolute certainty that all was well could not be given.  At least that is my understanding, and all of the above, and below, is written 'without prejudice'!  

Rain did indeed 'stop play' for most of Monday, but I had to make a trip to the post office, and my exercise regime had been as erratic as the weather.  Samantha and I checked the forecast, and as there appeared to be a brief dry spell, headed out.  The post office was closed.  They were having a 'fire drill'.  The staff were on the pavement, telling people that this would take a while, and whilst they understood the inconvenience, it was 'what it was'!  No stamps, no sodas, no fappe-mocha-cappu-lattes, or ccino's of any variety! Although for most, the latter by far outweighed the inconvenience of the former, for one woman, this was the final straw!  "I had planned out my day, to the minute!" she told an unsuspecting male, mail carrier.  He continued to load his truck.  "And now, I am going to be running late!"  I wanted to intervene.  "What if there had actually been a fire?" I did not say!  We walked along to the supermarket, leaving her to vent her anger on the postman.  I am not sure if the intensity of her frustration was due to the detour in her plan, or the fact that he showed no sympathy and continued to load palettes into his van.

"Please limit yourself to four cases of water", came the directive over the loudspeaker.  Panic buying had started. Bottled water was disappearing off the shelves at the speed of knots, and those who had previously been pressing for plastic to be banned, were front of the queue with more than the 'recommended' amount.  Cynical? Me?


The post office had completed its drill by the time we re-emerged, and I bought my stamps and gave the teller my 'overweight' package.  All the trucks had left the forecourt, and the lady whose day had been 'ruined' was not heard!  We left the facility and started to walk back to the office.  As we were half way back, I felt a drop of water hit my arm.  I told Samantha, who said I was imagining things.  A second later, she felt the same thing.  We picked up the pace, as we had not brought an umbrella with us, and my backpack held one poncho!  It reminded me of the old debate scenario.  Four people in a sinking boat, with one life jacket.  Who was the most deserving.  A town with no sodas, no fappe-mocha-cappu-lattes, or ccino's of any variety, soon to be no bottled water, and no umbrella.  Who would get the poncho?  The answer, of course, would be me, as it was mine and it was in my bag!  However, my nature would be to share, or give it to the most deserving.  Logic may dictate that is still me!

As we reached the office, the rain started to tumble, and the sky showed no signs of ceasing its activities, much less remorse!  The rain continued into the evening. Dana and I went to take advantage of the 'buy one, get one' at Macaroni Grill!  "Y'all are so nice. So understanding", said the waiter who explained, no sodas, no fappe-mocha-cappu-lattes, or ccino's of any variety! Apparently, some of the clientele had been tantamount to the woman at the post office.  "Must be out of towners", I said, as although the Austinites were rather aggrieved, they would take it in their stride....for the most part.

I had to take our car to the shop on Tuesday, as we had received a letter advising of a 'fault' which would be corrected at the dealership's expense.  I got there a little early, and had to wait to be seen.  "Use at your own risk" read the sign stuck to the coffee machine.  "Is that because of the grade of coffee or the water situation?" I said, somewhat tongue in cheek.  "The water is not boiled, so it may not be safe", came the reply.  The remark about the coffee appeared to be a little too confusing!  I sat, drank a really bad cup of coffee and accessed all my 'contest' websites whilst I waited.  Half way through my wait, a couple of employees came into the 'service' waiting area, with a dozen cases of bottled water.  The had been to a supermarket downtown, and managed to procure a large amount of water.  The local stores had run out, and despite being on the cusp of the county, they had decided they had better be safe than sorry.  I had forgotten that I had crossed the county line to come to the dealership.  

We were now officially in a 'State of Emergency'. 'No sodas, no fappe-mocha-cappu-lattes, or ccino's of any variety! was not the official wording, as far as I am aware, in the decree, but the mayor had signed it into action!  Where as it had been a 'precaution' to boil water, it was now a 'directive'.  I took every water container that I had collected over the years, from South-by, from concerts, and other festivals and the like, and filled them with boiled water.  Grant had brought in a couple of large bottles which he had bought from a supermarket in his home town, which had not been affected, and that was far enough across the county line that most people would not consider in which to venture!  An emergency is an emergency, but how far would the city dwellers travel to satisfy an itch.  
"I had to drive thirty minutes up the Interstate to buy a soda and a couple of fappe-mocha-cappu-latte ccino's!"
"Did you look for bottled water?"
"Oh darn!"
Obviously, I jest! (Or do I?) 

I boiled several pots of water on Wednesday, as well as my kettle, and used the boiled water to boil potatoes and vegetables.  I was a little surprised at my actions, as I am not usually that precautionary.  I allowed my water to boil quite furiously before adding vegetables, but as I was expecting to feed guests for dinner, I did not want to second guess myself should a report of sickness come in on Thursday morning!  My main concern was that my oven would last 'one more time' to cook dinner.  It did, then it didn't but then it did again!  I had my own State of Emergency!

So, we were now officially in a State of Emergency, and this would last at least until Sunday.  Sunday?  That is hardly enough time to break into a sweat, let alone a panic!  The local council and the water companies appeared to be in slight disagreement about the matter.  The council had suggested that the matter could take ten to fourteen days to rectify, but the water company had predicted less.  In fact, if I read the reports correctly, (and again, I say this 'without prejudice',) the water company predicted the liquid from the taps would be announced safe to drink at the time the 'State of Emergency' was declared.  However, I am sure they were all in agreement when it was actually signed!  I was not concerned.  I had two kettles, and a Berkey!  I don't think I have mentioned the Berkey!  It is a super-duper water filter thingy that filters all kinds of water into a drinkable substance, with two filters that act like....well I have no idea what they act like!  I think it is meant to be like the natural springs where they filter through the sulphur rocks, or something, and as you can tell, I have not a clue!  But!!  We have a Berkey!  I really didn't need to boil and reboil the water!  Apparently!


The rain stopped on Thursday, and I received some lovely news.  One of my oldest and best friends, Lynda, became a grandma!  It was a ray of sunshine in this stormy week.  Everything remained dry on Friday and Saturday.  I went to Samantha on Saturday, and helped her get ready for her belated birthday, and early Halloween party.  We cleaned, we cooked, we shopped, and I continued to clear up as she continued to create!  We went to Walmart, where my daughter found the latest garden accessory for the 31st October, and placed the skeleton in the seat of the trolley, as I pushed!  This caused a lot of giggles from fellow shoppers.  We strapped him in the back seat and went on our way!  The good news was that I think I have found my new oven!  As we hit one of the warehouses, I spotted a range that fitted all my specifications!  I was very happy, and would not feel guilty driving back across the county line, where there were no sodas, no fappe-mocha-cappu-lattes, or ccino's of any variety! 

Food and water was in abundance at Chez Samantha, and people arrived to enjoy and partake.  Dana and I stayed longer than our usual hour, and ate until we were full!  

The weather, as usual, has changed over and over again.  From a wet and windy start to an idyllic 83 degrees, and a possibly opportunity to swim, or at the very least sit and read by the pool.  The 'boiling' directive is, as far as I am aware, still in force.  The forecast shows no rain until Wednesday, and then only isolated showers.  There seem to be no long term affects of no sodas, no fappe-mocha-cappu-lattes, or ccino's of any variety!  This time next week, it will probably all be forgotten!  As there has been no actual evidence of pathogens or the like in the water, I am still considering it to be precautionary, but precautionary requires measures to be taken nonetheless.  All in all, my boiled water, the liquid produce from the Berkey and the odd bottle or two that I have in my freezer (no idea why I put them in the freezer) will keep me active and able to write ........... another story!