“This stuff still here? It’s Friday for heaven’s sake.”
“Might be here until June.”
“You’re kidding.”
“Yup.”
Well, Friday is here with a promise of temps above freezing. It has been a long week of rolling blackouts and threatened water shortages. I have to say, though, we made it through. A lot of folks had severe damage to their homes from broken water pipes.
We are lucky to be living in a new home that was built with a lot of insulation. We also dripped our faucets for extra protection. It was the dripping that the water company found overwhelming. I guess when you get 11,000 homes dripping faucets all night, it adds up. So they sent a notice on Facebook of all places to knock it off or face water shut off. To us, this is all hearsay since we don’t follow the water department on Facebook. (Wwwhaaatt????) Anyway, tonight is going down to 19 degrees F (-7.2 C. I’m still going to drip. We’ll see if a water shutdown occurs. (I’m such an anarchist, right?)
Looks like all the political folks will be doing investigations to see why the power in the state failed. I think the answer might be that the weather was unprecedented, and no one thought winterizing of the production facilities was necessary. So, Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer can stay in cozy Washington. (By the way, since when does having the government involved in an investigation help anyone?)
Let’s give Senator Ted Cruz a big hand for heading to Mexico when his heat went out. You have to feel sorry for those who have no moxie. Even more so for those in public service who don’t hang around and see if they can help.
I see Joe Biden has declared Texas a disaster area yesterday and will be sending generators and bottled water. By the time they get here, it will be 70 degrees. Love the optics, though, Joe.
Today’s JohnKu talks about blame. I hope you all have a great weekend.
Blame by John W. Howell © 2021
When things go badly,
There are some who want to help . . .
Others want to blame.
Fiction Favorites 
I am in disbelief that ole Teddy boy could be not only so selfish but so utterly stupid. Guess he cared more about heat than re-election, lols.
I’m so glad you have power now, John, and that your pipes haven’t burst. You keep on being a water anarachist!
Love the Haiku. What good is blame without offering a solution?
Keep safe and warm. Have a good weekend. 🙂
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Thanks, Harmony. It is hard to understand the political folks, isn’t it? Long live independence. Have a great weekend and stay warm.
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My parents have not fared so well just down the road, John. Long periods without electricity and all their pipes burst…whole house must be re-plumbed when this is finally over. 😔 My nieces are enjoying it though….lots of snowball fights and snow angels. ☺️ As for Ted Cruz, when someone tells you who they really are, believe them.
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I’m so sorry to hear about your parents, Lori. SA has always been an area that never had to worry about freezing weather. This has been an unusual period of time. Best wishes to them. Ted is a pip for sure.
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John, so sorry you are dealing with unpredicted weather challenges. Hope you don’t have extensive damage. Read that Ted Cruz flew back to Texas the next day. He was thinking of his family flying them to Cancun. Had second thoughts about the state of his state & it’s people. But, still met a fire storm of people berating him for leaving. “Bad decision to leave,” he said. And he has to live with it. 📚Christine
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Sadly he only came back because of the criticism. He was planning on staying until Sunday.
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He said that he was thinking of his family and made a bad decision. He has to live with the criticism and think before he acts the next time. Hard lesson for an in the public eye politician. 📚 Christine
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Yes indeed.
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Glad to hear you’re making it through, John. I didn’t know about the insulation of your home, but since you’re from the north originally, I wondered if you let the faucets drip. We did that in Ohio, but there was no trouble because of it as Ohio has a lot of water. All the best with tackling the rest of the problems. I had to laugh at Twiggy and her fascination with the snow. Take care. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Thank you, Suzanne. Yes, my Northern roots took over, and drip I did. Twiggy had a lot of fun. 😁
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Dear John,
actually, minus 7,2 C is not that cold. In the countries we lived it was a normal temperature in winter. We had it even here a couple of days ago as well. It’s hard to understand why that causes such a desaster.
Keep warm. Wishing you a great weekend
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
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That is MINUS 7.2 C Klausbernd. We are not used to having below freezing temperatures for such a long time. This is a tropical climate and the infrastructure was built for it rather than for arctic temperatures.
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Sorry, I see. We start to call it cold when it is unter minus 15 C at day time for many days. Where I lived in my youth we had minus 25 to minus 30 C for a couple of days every year. But we had no problems with water or with whatsoever.
But where we live now people would call minus 7.2C cold as well, but it would not harm our water pipes or anything in house.
Keep warm!
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
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We had 144 hours below freezing. A new all time record. Houses here are not built for that level and duration of cold. Mine is though since I come from Michigan where the temps stay at -17.2 C or below for weeks.
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Frosty traces of Friday at the Twiggy Resort lead to the right way to discover much about engineering problems you are facing now, dear John. May it be water & heat for you! Have a hot week-end! 🔥🔥🔥…Meanwhile I wonder what are Superman, Spiderman & Batman doing? They must help their homeland!
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I think all of the superheros went with Senator Cruz to Mexico. We are due for temperatures in the 10s C this weekend. That will thaw us all out. Thank you for the hot wishes. 😁
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May it be so, dear John! Oh, Mexico! I can imagine Lucy ^ Twiggy there wearing sombreros.😂😂😂
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Yes by the pool with a Pina Colada in her paw.
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I love that you’re a water anarchist, John, and I’m so glad temps are climbing in your area. Our temps are climbing as well. Thank God! As for government officials, I’m regularly amazed that our country works at all because of their self-serving behavior. I sincerely think our country survives because of ordinary citizens, the unseen freezing people who have not lost their souls and reach out to help wherever they can. Bravo for being one of them. 😊
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We have a group here called 12-31 (After Mark 12:31 Love your neighbor as your self) who are 3500 stong now helping people deal with transportation, water, food, and ordinary issues of life. These are the heroes and the ones to make a difference. Nancy Pelosi throwing pot shots at our state helps very little. I’m glad your temps are beginning to ease as well. Stay warm. 😁
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I’m happy to hear your temperatures are moving in the right direction, John. You’ve certainly had your share of weather related challenges the last few years. You deserve warm and sunny skies.
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Hahaha. We were just talking this morning about maybe the crappy weather is following us. I sure hope not. Thaks, Jill. Have a super weekend. 😁
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I’ve been wondering how you’re faring with the storm. As the old sarcastic remark goes, we’re from the government and we’re here to help you. I couldn’t agree more with your JohnKu.
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Yes, those are the most feared words for sure. We are doing fine, Liz. Thank you. 😁
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With all that’s going on in Texas, I’m glad to see you still have your sense of humor – even if the Pres. isn’t up on the actually state of affairs!
Keep smilin’, John.
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The one that really gets me is Nancy Pelosi. She said some pretty nasty things about Texas and she should really remember her duty. How about spending time on important issues, Nancy now that you have vetted your spleen on Trump.
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Oh, they’re not through tearing him up yet. Now they are wanting a bill to keep him out of getting buried in Arlington. Work? I think Congress has forgotten what that is.
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Mean spiteful people over there.
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I think it’s time we voted a few of them out of there. But that’s just my opinion.
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I think they reflect their constituents. Maybe we could vote their constituents out of here. 😁
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A good start would be CA splitting off!
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I agree. I used to live in the Union of Socialists Republic of California. It was like being a POW.
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I can well imagine!
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Finally made my way to the Free Republic of Texas where one can breathe (and freeze) 😁
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😵😬
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😬
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They can all point fingers, John. Let’s see if anyone looks to find a lesson and make any changes. Or, will they call this a 100-yr event and kick those cans down the road. I was wondering why we weren’t reading about advice being given to crack those faucets. The drips may add up, but it’s hard to stop the flow from a burst pipe.
I hope you can stay warm and wet where you need to be. Take care.
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Your point about the drips is a good one. If there is not enough water then shut it all off. We can make due. Water running into the street does no one any good. I have to wonder about municipal types. I think they go haywire sometimes. Thaks for your wishes, Dan. I have to walk to the bar cause the roads are still not safe. See you there. 😊
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I have family and friends in Texas and feel for all of you. I pray it all returns to normal soon with a minimum of problems and it never happens again.
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An excellent prayer, Staci. 😁 Thank you.
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People like to joke that some places can’t handle the cold… well, why should they when it’s way out of the norm?
I send you lots of warm thoughts, am glad your electricity is working and hope that the temps keep going up!
Stay safe!
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Thank you so much, Dale. I admit I’m one that can’t handle the cold. Raises hell with my stainless steel parts. 😁
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There’s a reason you moved to more (supposed to be) clement parts of the country. Those poor S.S bits!!
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Yes indeed. We did move to get ut of hurricane alley which also raise hell with S.S bits.
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Hurricane alley raises help with more than A.S. bits, methinks!
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All bits. 😂
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I don’t doubt it 😉
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Glad you made it through ok. Your experience of living in cold helped. There’s one explanation for the cold, the power grid, damages to many homes, deaths, Ted Cruz going to Mexico, Congress, and more … all are Obama’s fault.
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I was thinking the same thing, Frank. 😁
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I know you know this, but all one has to do is follow the evidence.
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Hahahaha.
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If they turn peoples water off, then the pipes will freeze and their precious water will go everywhere. Doesn’t make sense to me.
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I don’t get it either. Someone did a calculation the the average hour would drip 1400 gallons a day. I find that to be outrageous. I’m going to measure a faucet and see how far off that is.
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Your state has had it really rough, John. I’m glad you were spared from bursting pipes and that the temps will be climbing again. I feel so badly for all those people who are suffering down there, and pray that an end is in sight. As for Ted Cruz, I have no words.
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Thank you, Mae. I have seen a lot of humanity rise to the occasion here so maybe it isn’t all bad.
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Who follows their water department on Facebook? For that matter, who can access the Internet when they have no power? Argh! Glad you’re safe and soon will be warm, John. This has been beastly everywhere, but it seems y’all got the brunt of it. Next time, it will be somebody else’s turn. Don’t get me started on those politicians though!
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Hahahaha. I know what you mean on the politicians. Thanks, Debbie. 😁
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Love the sarcasm! And so glad you and yours are well!
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Thank you, Luanne
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No freeze last night even though it was predicted to but we dripped anyway. Maybe the worst is over. The sun is even out this morning. If we get those generators and bottled from Biden, we can save them for hurricane season. TGIF to you, John!
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The sun is out here as well and the ice is beginning to melt. We have a low predicted of 23 F tonight but then it gets milder as the week moves along. Stay warm, Jo.
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Glad you are safe and warm. The pictures and reports on the news paint a different picture. And the generators from FEMA are already there – waiting for Governor Abbott to put them to work. And the electricity providers are still talking about rolling blackouts for the short term.
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The local reports from the utilities are the blackouts are over and any outages are a result of damage to the lines. I have seen no reports of generators. The point is they weren’t available when they were needed. (A state of emergency needed to be enacted by the president and he did that Thursday to free those resources. As I said good optics on his part.) Maybe you know where the bottles f water are.
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Praying for your normal to return soon, John.
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It is getting there, Audrey.
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So glad you’ve been okay, John, but it’s heartbreaking to see on the news what others are going through. Another unprecedented situation. And then you’ll wish for warmer temps, and soon, it’ll be scorching. :O We’re in a severe drought, so from one extreme to another. On a lighter note, the pups are cute, wondering what that fluffy white stuff is. Stay safe!
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Yes, they had a lot of fun with it. Thanks, Lauren. Wish I could help your drought. We had one here too. I’m not sure if all this snow has helped or not. We’ll see.
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Glad you made it through this relatively unscathed. I’d be rebellious enough to drip water too!
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Yup. Thanks, Denise.
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Good luck with everything. Weird that the water company only used Facebook.
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I know right?
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Never seen snow on your blog before, John. Texas’s weather sure is unprecedented. The whole world is talking about it.
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It’s like the ice age hit. Thanks, Guy.
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Glad your pipes didn’t burst! And who knew water companies even had FB pages?
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I know right? Dumbest thing I ever heard fo for sure.
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Great haiku… So sorry about your weather, good John…good is about to happen! An anomaly: Texas and snow! (at least, where you are!) That, too, will pass!
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Thank you, Billy Ray. We hope so for sure.
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I’d risk the water shutdown too if it meant saving the pipes.
Congress is sort of like that startup company where they hold meetings every day and several times a day because nobody knows which direction is up until it’s too late to do something about it.
Here’s hoping for warmer weather soon.
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Come on Dems. Its your house and senate….do something!!!!!!
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It’s the same old song and dance, different players.
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Yup.
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Sadly
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Let the faucets drip. Too bad there were so many people without power who couldn’t read the message on Facebook from the water company. What’s next? Facebook requests from them to see if you’ll like their page?
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Hahahaha. It absolutely causes me to wonder what they were thinking. Thanks, Pete. 😁
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True, isn’t it? Something goes wrong, someone is to blame. Even if its extreme weather or a pandemic. Nature is a capricious mistress but you can’t sue her, deselect her or make her the subject of an angry inquiry. Damn….
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“Mother Nature you have the right to remain silent . . . “😁
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I had to learn how to keep the pipes from freezing here. It’s different than Silicon Valley! Our house is only 6 years old so it’s well insulated, but we learned to keep the heater set to 55 degrees at night and leave the cabinet doors open where there are faucet pipes…for the air circulation or something. We’ve been told by the plumber who installed our water softener there’s no need to keep the faucet dripping. 🤷🏻♀️
I hope you continue to fare well through this cold snap.
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A plumber telling you no dripping is necessary is like a baker telling you that cake is calorie-free. Thanks for sharing, Deborah.
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lol!! 😂
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😁
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Scotland copes much better with ice and snow than London does I think as you say because they deal with it more often. I’m sorry to read your State has had such a hard time but glad you seem to be coping ok. I hope it warms up for you soon. Best wishes Charlotte x
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We were at 59 degrees F (15 C) today. Lovely.
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Good news. It is similar to London today, its 53 degrees right now but due to go up to 58 after lunch.
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We are happy that today will be a high of 20.5 C. Have a beautiful day, Charlotte. 😊
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Oo good that turned around quick, our news made it sound like you were all freezing 🥶 still.
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No we have been almost 24 hours without freezing temps.
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A wonderful JohnKu. I’m so glad you fared well through all of this. I am very grateful, lucky, and blessed that even though I had to leave my home, I came back to an “all is well that ends well” scenario. My heart goes out to the many who have suffered such devastating effects from the storm. Much like after a hurricane passes, it will take a while to get everything repaired again.
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It will take a while, but like you, I am grateful to have come through as well as we did. 😁
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Everyone drips a faucet to prevent freezing. So, the ‘water company police’ are on FB? Hmm… I echo every point you made, John. And your JohnKu says it best of all.
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Thank you, Jeannie. 😁
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You’re welcome, John.
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I’m glad you are making out okay, John. Yes, looks like the fingers have already started to point. Sometimes things just happen. I have always admired the helpers more than the blamers.
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The helper have been great.
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