SLOOOOOOW Internet 04-31-23

Breakfast out this morning.   I met my bookie friend Verna at the Mini Gourmet, a rather "throwback" little local breakfast/lunch place.   It reminds me of places I knew in the 1940s and 1950s growing up in Portland, OR, but they were not carpeted! .  When we first arrived there were just a few people seated, but it soon filled up and many of the customers are regulars.  Verna says that when it is very busy some customers will put on an apron and help out.  It is run by five guys who all look like they belong to the Mexican mafia plus one young woman (shown) and they are all related in some way.  The prices are moderate, but still quite a bit more than they were five years ago.  I had pancakes, eggs, bacon, coffee, and had to leave part of the pancakes.  

Beside the long time Book Group Verna and I share our love of quilting, we are about the same age, both widows, and exchange information about dealing with our various ills.

I shared my "electricity" post on the Elder Orphans Facebook group and it turned out to be a great opportunity for many to share their electric outage experiences.  Most of them live in places  that have many outages for very long periods of time due to hurricanes, tornadoes, winter  storms, etc.  My five hour experience  is almost laughable.  However, there was a lot of information shared about keeping supplies and equipment ready and different ways they have prepared or recovered from their experiences.  I wish I could share the 89 comments with you as there are some valuable ideas there.  Almost everyone mentioned having lots of batteries on hand and keeping your cell phone charged.  I do have a solar charger that is about the same size as my cell phone and always sits in a south facing window . But i am diligent about keeping my cell  charged.  One person pointed out that I could have toasted bread using tongs over a burner on the gas range and others mentioned keeping the outside grill in good shape using gas or even charcoal. 

I don't know why, but it has taken more than an hour to prepare this post.  Very slow response when I type - I have to stop and let the letters catch up and  I am NOT a fast typist.  Hope it is well tomorrow! 

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