Living in a rural area has its pluses and minuses. I like the elbow room and being close to Nature. My social life is minutes away. But, this Friday night, it got a bit dicey.
My doorknob has had a bit of play in it for awhile now. The kind that made me think it is going to break. How that would pan out . . . I didn’t know. I actually thought about carrying my phone with me . . . because of the possibilities that circulated in my brain. I never take it with me while doing chores. But . . . I did not replace it, and just thought I would deal with it when it broke.
Well, Friday night . . . it broke and locked me inside my cabin with my cat outside at -12 already. At least I was on the right side of the door. Living off grid, I cook on my porch on a camping stove. Because it is steps from the door, I am out there in my slippers and maybe my winter vest, besides my double layers . . . in the winter . . . although . . . I have set out my little Waka Waka solar lights in the morning in my robe. OMG!
In an emergency, if I had to walk in -24 weather because I had no cellphone or car keys, well, . . . you can guess what could happen. I am about a mile from town.
So . . . I am freaking out. I call several friends but it is Friday night, and no one is home. I break down and call 911. Given, I am safe inside but still freaking out because my cat is outside, and the forecast is calling for -24. While waiting for 911 rescue, I try to take the doorknob off. No luck. The other half of the knob falls onto the porch. I open the window on the porch and try to go to retrieve my cat. Nothing to land on.
911 arrives, and he crawls through the window and saves the day! I duct tape the hole and door jam because freezing cold air is seeping in. I really don’t think it has set in how close I came to a real catastrophe.
Fortunately, I am here to tell you the tale.
An Off Grid Life - Climate Crisis Solutions 