Be Careful What You Wish For

I rented a cabin in Idyllwild to get away for awhile.  I needed a different venue.   I haven't participated as a storyteller in any Song and Story Fest Virtual Campfires during the pandemic because I haven't felt like I had a story to tell.  All my creative juices have gone into figuring out how to be a pastor and preacher in this time that has required me to learn all new skills.  I thought if I unplugged for a time I might recapture the joy of storytelling.

I got up today with a sense of anticipation in my soul.  Then the wind began blowing.  From what I could discern, if I could get past Beaumont the wind would die down....and that is exactly what happened.  I have never been to Idyllwild before.  What an amazing drive up from the valley.  

I got to the cabin around 3 p.m. I unloaded my car, connected to wifi and found all the light switches.  Then I got a text from my son, Brett.  He asked if I arrived safely and to please send him the address of the cabin, which I promptly did.  In a series of follow up texts he gave me a lecture about how scary it was that I would head off without letting anyone know exactly where I was going.  I was going to text him back and tell him that I didn't need him to parent me.  But then I stopped and breathed in his love and cried.  When you are single you don't have anyone to text when your plane lands.  You don't have a spouse or partner to call when you arrive safely at a cabin you rented.  It might not even cross your mind to give someone the address.  Brett reminded me that I may be a widow but I am still loved.  Allowing that goodness to wash over me was exactly what I needed.  

Then I drove into town in search of an Adventure Pass so I can do some hiking this week.  I need some adventure.

I was in the grocery store buying logs for the fireplace when the winds hit Idyllwild.  I said to the clerk, "Do you get winds like this often?"  "No," she said, "but when we do they usually turn off the electricity because of fire danger."  I thought to myself that I better hurry back to the cabin so I could find a flashlight, charge my phone and heat up some dinner. The drive back was a bit scary.  I did stop to admire the sunset.

By the time I got back to the cabin the electricity was off and I got exactly what I wished for....to be completely unplugged.  But it meant no wifi, no warm dinner, no ability to charge my phone or call my family....and I couldn't find a flashlight.  I was glad I had thrown in some peanut butter and a candle at the last minute so that I could at least have a cold dinner by candlelight.

Eventually the electricity was restored.  I was grateful.  I wanted to be unplugged but I still wanted wifi, my cell phone, television, some hot chocolate, a heater, and a CPAP machine that works.  I guess what I really wanted was the illusion of being unplugged.....along with a fireplace, a good movie and some ice in my club soda.