Last week I decided to spend some time reading poetry. I was pleased when the books I had reserved at the library all arrived Thursday. Another way to make the time pass is to relish a table full of candles and a stack of poetry books.
I had some volumes by Billy Collins, Mary Oliver, Ted Kooser, and Neruda. Because of the shorter length of text, poetry is very soothing to read by candlelight. The only sound around the the purring of generators around the neighborhood as people attempted to keep freezers going. This was a favorite I read by candlelight Thursday night.
Introduction to Poetry
I ask them to take a poem
and hold it up to the light
like a color slide
or press an ear against its hive.
I say drop a mouse into a poem
and watch him probe his way out,
or walk inside the poem's room
and feel the walls for a light switch.
I want them to waterski
across the surface of a poem
waving at the author's name on the shore.
But all they want to do
is tie the poem to a chair with rope
and torture a confession out of it.
They begin beating it with a hose
to find out what it really means. Billy Collins
I am happy to report that the power came on yesterday about 2:30 p.m. Thanks for the many kind words of concern about our situation. Things are calming down up our way. Since I am away from home I was thrilled that 
When you are without power you always need to project to help pass the time. The question as you look through the series of photos might be how many pets does it take to supervise the tree project? Of course I was the photographer!!
Kit wanted to make sure the towline was secure.
He rode on the top to help navigate the truck.
Foreman Finny and assistant Kit gave the thumbs up on the tree straightening project!
With a brace now helping the tree to stay upright 
Shelby was pleased with a job well-done, but was glad her crew boss job was done so she could jump out and get back to being a dog. 
Lily stayed out the way, but gave her approval after the job was done from her post on the old dog kennel.
This pictures shows a new view we have from our deck. Fortunately the tree that blew down didn't damage anything when it feel. About the hour later the power went out. A tree knocked down the live wire up the county road from our house. When we called last they were predicting power by Sunday p.m. I had to leave this morning to come to Idaho so 
The fire jumped the road and was burning on both sides in the brush. I believe two houses were burned. 
This is looking north on the bridge across Lake Roosevelt that divides Stevens and Ferry Counties. We feel blessed that we are safe. Reading at night by candlelight isn't so bad and a gas BBQ can heat up water for a great cup of coffee. Hopefully all the ice with keep our food cold and we will soon be able to water our parched plants. 
another unexpected shirley poppy 
the first snapdragon to bloom
a gorgeous shade of pink
my favorite color of petunia
