Dark Wednesday

I woke up to the UPS crying for help some time after five - which means the power went off before five this morning! By the time it starts beeping, it's too late to try and turn off the PC ...

I got up, answered nature's call and when I got back my alarm started crying for attention. I pulled my jersey under the cover, to warm it up before putting it on. I also re-warmed myself before really getting out of bed for good.

I tried to report the power outage via website - can't get it. I eventually gave up trying. I got up and hauled out the gas bottle to make myself coffee. While I waited for the kettle to boil, I reported the outage via sms.

Why the outage? Well, a few drops of rain fell during the night ... sigh ...

I'm taking all my gadgets to work, as I need to stay in touch ... oh, and I need to charge my smartphone!

Today, I'll also need to get groceries. Preferably very little, as I spent so much at Ninapark. I'm thinking meat for stew and maybe some veggies? A bag of soup veggies, I suppose. Those pre-washed and cut veggies are expensive - but on the other hand, buying each type separately ... too much for one person. I wonder whether I should look at frozen soup veggies?

In the local news, the Cigarette ban over the lock-down has now been ruled unconstitutional! By the Supreme Court of Appeal - whatever that is. I would be interested to know what happens next, though! It should mean that every person who now has a criminal record solely related to this ban should be able to have that cleared, right? Only ... now you need to re-investigate whether their record relates to legal or illegal cigarettes. And how do you prove that?

Bigger question is: what about all those people who suffered, physically, as a result of the cigarette ban? And what about the suicides? I would really like to see what happens from here on ... 

I've been watching German News again, and seeing how prices are sky rocketing there, as well. Food was specifically mentioned - and sheez, compared to them, we're not paying much for tomatoes! Four Euro for a punnet? Which looked like half a kilo ... that's more than double the R50/kg I was complaining about! Even though, as I always say, you can't really use the exchange rate as realistic comparison.

And Russia is reducing the amount of gas they trade with Germany. Driving prices up even further! I wonder how my friends and family in Germany are coping ... I think about them a lot, especially when I'm watching German News.

I quickly went to get groceries. Now, the price for Porterhouse at the local butchery seems 'cheap' - in comparison to what they charge at Ninapark, now! So, I took two. I also got some lemon pork sausages. I like to try different types of sausage for my bread rolls. This week I've got cheese sausages, I have apricot sausages in the freezer and for next week I now have the lemon pork sausages! Would you believe that sausages are cheaper per kg than cheese? Well, it's true!

Okay, I'm just comparing prices and I notice that I apparently got a 'pensioners discount' at Ninapark! It's not much, just 1% and not on all items. Still, it adds up - though I couldn't even buy a chocolate with that discount!

Anyway, I spent a bit more than I meant to. I'm hoarding, I'm afraid. Cooking oil and yeast. <hangs head in shame> Nah, not ashamed at all. With the boss' chat this morning - I don't know what's going to happen. Better to have than to need.

Well, I have enough food to stretch for a month - if needed. Mippies are also covered - food wise, at least. And I've turned to cost-free hobbies only. I'm glad now, that I didn't get a new push mower ... though I wish I had it, ha ha! I'll have to try to sharpen the one I have ... 

I'm re-thinking my seedling growing projects. I think, tomorrow, I really should tackle that bed in front of the succulent bed ... I'd hate having to re-weed the entire bed. I've been reading about veggies that can grow in winter ... I'm now really miffed at myself for not starting any Brussels Sprouts. Well, I have all day tomorrow to play.

Okay, so I have some chores to do - I should bake muffins and make another stew. And clean the kitchen, since I didn't do that Sunday afternoon.

Okay, so to calm down, I'm re-reading the story of Downton Abby - the first two series' I had already watched. I'm nearly finished watching Upstairs Downstairs, so next I want to continue Downton Abby. Both series are very much alike, set in almost the same time period - only aimed at very different audiences. 

Back at home ... mippies have been busy! Apparently they were quite put out that their fountains didn't fountain! They dipped the floor towel into the bowl of the fountain in the lounge - which resulted it all the water seeping happily over the rim, into the towel - which can't hold it all, so it tried to make its escape via the tiles! I had to mop that all up!

They lifted the lid of the flower fountain - fortunately not completely, so when the power came back on, the water didn't fountain out and into my bedroom! Phew! Still ... needed to refill it.

And then Mr Piddles was busy again! Fortunately only at the front door - but that had to be mopped up as well! By the time I finished my chores, including the unpacking, it was ten past six! Okay, so I got home a bit late, as I had something to discuss with the boss - who only got back to work at five, and then I had to stop for petrol.

Just looking around, especially the kitchen, I'm not sure I'll have time to garden tomorrow! I have quite a bit to do first ... well, I'll see tomorrow!

For now, I've enjoyed a lovely hot bath, shared dinner with mippies and now I'm watching the last episode of Upstairs Downstairs. Then off to sleep ...