Snow Day

We had a snowstorm in Escalante last Tuesday. It wasn't much, but it was enough to cause power to go out in town.

I had to answer hotel guest questions, while loading things into the RV. I needed access to the computer to check out guests and extend stays on two rooms. I could run la computadora from the Godspeed's stored solar energy. If I ran out, I could run the generator or the engine. With a little over a quarter tank of gas, I was good to go for a few hours.

Besides, I could also boil water for tea.

As I drove the RV to the front of the hotel property, I imagined myself a heroine, riding my white steed through the canyons to reach town and save the day....or at least heat water for hot tea. Coffee drinkers would have to forgo the daily brew and learn to like tea for a day.

Somewhere in the midst of it all, I thought I'd better harvest the gourds. More snow was expected, and I didn't know what it would do to them. Like ...would their skins get freezer burn? I was planning on turning these into birdhouses. I needed them in good condition.

So I harvested them with all kinds of great sermons in mind...the Lord of the harvest....the harvest is ready, but the laborers are few....the reaping and the sowing....Jesus talked about the harvest, and it felt close at hand.

I quickly took the gourds off the vines with my knife and started walking to the front of the property.

"Excuse me," a man from the parking lot intoned, "I think the power is out in my room..."

"It's out across town," I replied.

Another guest who had been standing inside his doorway said, "I don't have power."

"No, it's out across town," I repeated. "No power."

"Is there coffee?" he asked.

I took a deep breath of cold air. "I started making coffee at 6:45, right before power went out. I don't know how much there is, and it might be lukewarm, but you're welcome to have some."

I strode to the front, answering a few more questions about the power along the way. Once I was inside, I scribbled a hasty note and taped it to the door.

For a solid hour, I moved stuff to the RV, answered guest questions, and unlocked the front door for anyone who wanted lukewarm coffee.

Just when I was about to finally step into the RV and extend stays for Room 39 and Room 41, a woman rushed toward my RV. "The power's on! The power's on! We have power! I'll bet you're glad!"

Actually....no. My heart sank. "I was kind of hoping for a snow day," I said, gathering my things to carry back into the office.

At some point, I remembered the gourds and went to the back of to carry the rest to the front lobby. When I set them on the counter, the way they were grouped reminded me of something significant. Later, I brought them to the kitchen and set them up. Do you see it, too?