Last night I went to bed somewhat earlier than I would normally, because my eyes were too tired to be on the computer screen much longer. After many hours in the pool and alongside of it that day, I was weary! One of the cable channels had "Sleepless in Seattle" showing, so I turned it on. I remember the last scene in my awareness being when "Sam" was explaining to his sister and bro-in-law about seeing this woman first at the airport and then again in the street near his home...and, snore....I was out!
From outside, almost immediately were the sounds of my neighbors, asking the same questions as the other night---what happened? how long? and did you call it in?? I could see the beams from the flashlights above and below my porch and heard one lady indicate she had called it in. Lights were on at The Club and a wedding reception was wrapping up. I fetched my flashlight from the laundry room, going simply by feel, but first running my foot into the dehumidifier which was parked in the hallway. Justin had prepped it for return to my upstairs neighbor and I didn't realize it was there. Ouch! Next time, and I hope there isn't one, I will get the flashlight first and then go wandering the hallways!
It was not possible for me to go charge the phone in my car this time because Justin had it for the night. I was defenseless phone-wise. However, I did have the laptop plugged in before losing power and was able to light my room as well as listen to "Seinfeld" until such time as we were re-activated. Around 2:30 a.m. or so, I heard my phone sort of chirping and when I turned over, I saw the face lit up. The rest of the house was dark yet but my phone was up. I stood up to see it better and was going to go into the bathroom when suddenly Justin appeared in my doorway, wondering what was going on. His ceiling fan started to go around without any actual electricity. Just as he began to speak, ta da!, the power came back on! We were so happy!
He went to check the A/C, of course, while I went into my bathroom. I heard him say, "Oh, oh...." and I asked what was up. Justin said that something seemed to be wrong with the A/C and the hall lights, as neither were working---yet. He asked if I had not heard the clicking sound from the unit and I told him I heard nothing from the bathroom. Justin wondered if the water pumps were affected from the outage, which are needed for the A/C units. That would have no affect on the hallway lights though, as we tried each of the three switches to see if we coax light from the fixtures. Nope.
At his suggestion, we simply turned the A/C to off, and he pulled the string on my ceiling fan to a higher speed, doing the same in his room. Earlier, he had dampened his sheet which kept him cooler and figured with the three fans in his room, he'd be okay. I was nervous, however, that something more was amiss with the electrical system of my house so had trouble falling asleep for a while. After an hour or so, I went to the hallway, flipped the switch, and discovered the lights were healed. I turned the A/C system to ON and away it went, as if nothing had happened. Over 165 families or households were affected last night and I know everyone was so glad to have their electricity and air conditioning restored. Now, to sleep!
Due in no small part, I am sure, to the 'sleepus interruptus' experienced, another wacky dream came from my subconscious. The dream scene opened in my church, in a less than orthodox service, particularly upsetting to some. At one point, a young woman, perhaps an older teen, went up front to the lectern to do a reading or something. From around the church, I could hear whispering and keys rattling, mine included, as several made their way to the doors. We were NOT going to sit still for this!
As we gathered in the parking lot, trying to figure out what was going on, a procession came around the corner from what appeared to be our church. There was a line of clergymen in their black robes, coming two by two, along with large carts loaded with what appeared to building materials.
As we gathered in the parking lot, trying to figure out what was going on, a procession came around the corner from what appeared to be our church. There was a line of clergymen in their black robes, coming two by two, along with large carts loaded with what appeared to building materials.
As they got closer, I heard the pastor say, "I don't think they know what they are looking at...." but I recognized the church pews in pieces, being hauled off in the carts. In one cart was Pastor H., seated in a wheelchair but straight as an arrow, even though the chair was on its side in the cart. He was almost like a statue in the chair, as it paraded passed us. Various portions of the sanctuary appointments came through in the carts with no one intervening or asking for explanation....and then it was morning!
Wow, that left an impact on me. What in the world???
Back to real life---Justin and I had already decided last night to ride together to church this a.m. as I chose not to go to Bible study. The class is shorter in length due to summer hours and includes the children with the adults. That is a tough mix and I simply cannot be a good sport about coloring pictures or writing sentences about what the prophet might be thinking.
One of the older men who did attend today reported having coloring markers at the tables as well as some wooden building blocks for object lessons, but I think only about a half dozen were in attendance. Ethel stopped at my little podium and asked, "Where were you today? We needed you!" but I defended myself saying,"Judy and Gretchen weren't here either..." I really needed the extra sleeping time today and look forward to a return to adults-only Bible study. I wonder if that's what prompted my curious dream....
