Today I am determined to grit my teeth and e-submit my heart out.  Stories.  Poems.  Vignettes.  Churn through that Big List of Little Magazines.  Omit no one.  After all, I’m sporting my “wed swooses” (see yesterday’s blog: Dressed For Success.)  A valiant effort.  Suddenly my internet service vanishes.  Kaput.  Fade to black.

A call to the ‘provider.’  After ten minutes of Barry Manilow-lite, a cheery voice named Joe appears on the line, “Gee, it looks as if the whole state of Maine is out.  Awesome.” 

And here I thought I was special!

“You guys had some sort of tornado?”

 Wouldn’t know, Joe.  Got no TV and now the net is down, but I’ll throw the E-ching and get back to you on that.

“We’re looking into the problem right now.  Anything else I can do for you?” 

No, Joe.  You’ve been most helpful.  You’re my buddy for life.  Let’s do lunch sometime.

Actually, as luck would have it, I discover my forty-five minute call on hold with the hospital billing department has not been interrupted throughout my conversation with Joe, and I am treated to still more of the Syncopated Clock.  Ah, yes.  My passport to The Land Of We Who Wait remains forever valid --- cancellation not an option.  I am heartened to learn that my call is very important to them.

Although I have no idea whether there was in fact a rare tornado, all morning the winds have been gusty enough to scatter my dubious television signal into digital shards not fit for human consumption.  When the signal coalesces I should be able to find out about the weather and the internet problems.  Or not.    

I’m expecting a lovely magazine to be delivered at the local post office today.  A decorous place, they siesta between noon and two o’clock.  Convenient.  Gives me a two hour window before they close down for the day at four. 

Now if there’s no tornado, no downpour, the lock on the gate works, the tires aren’t flat, the driveway holds up, there are no highway-closing accidents, no infiltrating wild creatures or other unwanted additions to my day, by dusk I should have each of my two television stations resurrected, the internet again functional, and some new reading material by the time the power goes out.

And then, there’s tomorrow.