A not-so-funny thing happened ...

As a catch up, in last week’s column I indicated that on the following Tuesday I would have my right knee replaced. And here I am writing this column when I thought I would be delirious on pain meds and instead sweating with no electrical power, sweating if my propane generator can keep our refrigerator cool enough to preserve the contents, and sweating from cleaning up the mess on the front and back yards. 

And writing a column. 

In my preparations for the surgery, my wife and I have been moving furniture around, eliminating trip hazards, and stocking up on some items we will be needing, while all the time keeping an eye on Tropical Storm – soon to be Hurricane – Beryl. 

It just kept changing course; excruciatingly slow and consistent. Sunday night we knew we were in for it. Incredibly strong winds, 10 inches of rain, and those winds wreaked havoc on trees, the power grid, and the semblance of normalcy for over 2.6 million power customers in the Houston area.

I witnessed winds I have never seen before – our home and property did not suffer any significant damage, but so many trees, fences, roofs, and infrastructure were not so fortunate.

The hospital called Monday afternoon and indicated the surgery would go on as scheduled. Be at the check-in desk by 5:30 a.m. We were, after driving the four miles to the hospital, dodging felled trees, non-working traffic signals, and some deep water at a couple of intersections. 

We sort of figured this wouldn’t go off as planned, as the hospital was still on emergency power, and the normal check-in process didn’t exist. Sure enough, we were canceled after all the surgical preparations were complete. 

So, we spent the day trying to locate some more propane tanks (nope), gas for the car (we really didn’t need it but wanted to fill up anyway, and again, nope), and the only thing I found was plastic bags to bag the stuff raked up from all over the front lawn.

But there is an ironic and funny part to the ending of this day. With the generator off for the evening it was so quiet. Out came the old GE transistor 6 radio that my mom gave to me back in the late 1970’s. I dubbed it my disaster radio and I have kept it with me to this day (obviously). 

Whether power comes back tomorrow or the next day, it’s just like in the previous challenges – we’ll get through it. That old radio plays on.

P.S.  The power finally came on at 6 p.m. Friday – a full five days for the disaster radio!