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Winter Bat Cave

February 7, 2014 By Talya Tate Boerner 28 Comments

The house where I grew up is lovingly named the Bat Cave because my mother’s initials are BAT (Barbara Ann Tate). Even more appropriately, the name fits as certain rooms are windowless are dark due to add-ons oddly placed here and there whenever Daddy had a good crop.

The Bat Cave is a place of great adventure. Never-a-dull-moment adventure. At the mere smell of a distant rain shower, the electricity flickers twice then goes out. And speaking of rain… Rain leads to standing water in the back yard. Standing water results in toilet flushing problems… That’s all I’m gonna say about that.

Momma, my sister and I recently loaded up and drove from Dallas to the Bat Cave to take care of farm business. We did this even though bad weather was forecasted. Even though we knew better.

A little snow?

Ha.

We weren’t afraid of a little snow. Plus, caves are supposed to be cold, right?

Yes indeedy.

Ice Storm

We didn’t factor in ice.

Before the most boring of all Super Bowl games ended, the Bat Cave was sealed inside an inch of glassy ice. Trees were quickly transformed into beautiful Chihuly-like artwork. Gale force winds snapped power lines. Telephone poles were sucked from the Mississippi County gumbo and lobbed into fields along the highway leading to the cave.

Fun! Just like old times, we had a bunkin’ party complete with friends from grade school. We slept piled together underneath hundred year old quilts. A night of giggling and reminiscing gave way to an arctic morning with no heat, no coffee, no showers…

Fortunately, folks take care of each other in the country, and our favorite farmer rigged up a duck pit heater in the kitchen and brought us strong black coffee. He’s a lifesaver that way.

Duck Pit Heater

Excitement faded as temperatures plunged and reality settled in. Thirteen electric poles were down within the two mile Bat Cave-to-Cottonwood Corner stretch. Thirteen…

Over the next few days, we became gypsies. During daylight hours, we camped out in the duck pit kitchen wearing multiple layers of clothing. I hung quilts in doorways to trap heat. Before nightfall we escaped to Memphis to the warmth of a hotel room. We turned our debacle into a semi-vacation by visiting the Peabody ducks, dining on Beale Street, and touring the greatness of Sun Studio. We even cheered our beloved Dallas Mavericks to victory over the Grizzlies with last minute, excellent seats. (Since the Grizzlies are my backup team, it was a double treat.)

Memphis

Downtown Memphis w/ Mississippi River; Sun Studios; Peabody Ducks; Fed Ex Forum

 

After four days with no electricity, power has been restored to the cave, knock-on-wood. We are luxuriating in the warmth and enjoying all those things typically taken for granted like being able to wash dirty underwear and enjoy a cup of coffee…

But there is snow in the forecast tonight. The splendor could be short lived.

Grace Grits and Gardening

A huge thank you to all the folks who have worked around the clock in frigid weather to restore power to Mississippi County! 

Musical Pairing:

My Starter Won’t Start, Justin Townes Earle

Filed Under: Arkansas, Travel Tagged With: Barbara Tate, Bat Cave, Beale Street, Dallas Mavericks, Fed Ex Forum, Memphis, Mississippi County

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Comments

  1. Chip Lloyd says

    February 7, 2014 at 8:20 am

    Talya,
    What a great twist you put into the events of the past few days. Wish you could have enjoyed better whether during your few days here. But sure enjoy reading your blog daily. Thanks for letting the rest of the world know how greatness can be found from such Arkansas farm folks.
    Thanks again,
    Chip

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      February 7, 2014 at 8:29 am

      Thanks Chip! Great to hear from you. Yes, there is always a silver lining. I always love coming home.

      Reply
  2. pat laster says

    February 7, 2014 at 8:40 am

    Ooh, and I thought I had it bad here when the kitchen in these coldest mornings registered 49 degrees. They say what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger. What they don’t say is that it gives us LOTS of blogging material. Good job, as usual. Any time you/yours pass thru I-30, do a detour over to Couchwood. xoxo

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      February 7, 2014 at 2:33 pm

      Yes definitely blog material. Thanks Pat!

      Reply
  3. Donna Vincent says

    February 7, 2014 at 8:48 am

    Love it! Still smiling thinking of all the crazy things that happened and were said! Glad y’all have power….for now. 🙂

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      February 7, 2014 at 2:33 pm

      Me too Donna:)

      Reply
  4. Renee says

    February 7, 2014 at 9:01 am

    The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth! Well said !

    Reply
  5. Sherri Stewart says

    February 7, 2014 at 9:07 am

    love my daily dose of TTB….here in the arctic like Ozarks!

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      February 7, 2014 at 2:32 pm

      Thank you Sherri:) Stay warm!

      Reply
  6. Kathy says

    February 7, 2014 at 9:46 am

    Making more memories 🙂

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      February 7, 2014 at 2:32 pm

      Always:)

      Reply
  7. Colene says

    February 7, 2014 at 10:38 am

    You give true meaning to the saying, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade” or something like that! Great blog as usual!

    Reply
  8. Gary Henderson says

    February 7, 2014 at 11:54 am

    OK, I have to ask. What is a “duck pit heater,” and why on earth is it called that?

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      February 7, 2014 at 2:31 pm

      A duck pit is a steel compartment sunken in a rice field. Duck hunters sit inside it waiting for ducks to fly overhead. These heaters go inside the duck pit to keep the hunters warm. Make sense?

      Reply
      • Gary Henderson says

        February 8, 2014 at 12:27 pm

        Aaaah. Yes, it does. I had never heard of such a thing. 🙂

        Reply
  9. June Graham says

    February 7, 2014 at 3:38 pm

    Glad your power has been restored—now –you can enjoy using that new coffee pot.!!! Loved reading about your adventures!!!!

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      February 8, 2014 at 6:44 am

      We love our new coffee pot. Thanks Ms. Graham!

      Reply
  10. Kim says

    February 7, 2014 at 4:59 pm

    YOu’re such a great writer. I do enjoy reading your blog!

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      February 8, 2014 at 6:44 am

      Thank you Kim! Thanks for commenting and reading:)

      Reply
  11. Bryan Jones says

    February 7, 2014 at 5:20 pm

    with you guys attitude, I don’t see that you could ever have a crappy trip. great story!

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      February 8, 2014 at 6:44 am

      Gotta look on the bright side:)

      Reply
  12. Martha Orlando says

    February 7, 2014 at 5:24 pm

    What an adventure you shared here, Talya! I, too, live in the south and know what it’s like to lose electricity in an ice storm or snow storm. Not pleasant whatsoever, but I love how your neighbor helped and you were able to seek alternate shelter when needed.

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      February 8, 2014 at 6:43 am

      Thanks Martha. Yes, I could write a book on our Bat Cave adventures:)

      Reply
  13. Dorothy Johnson says

    February 7, 2014 at 6:53 pm

    Looks mighty cold over your way. It’s snowing here again. I hope yours, ours, everyone’s power stays on. Enjoyed reading about your frigid adventure.

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      February 8, 2014 at 6:43 am

      I think it snowed all night. The ground looks white but it’s too early to tell:)) Brrrrr! But I do love the snow.

      Reply
  14. Staci says

    February 8, 2014 at 9:14 am

    So much fun!

    Reply
  15. Barbara Tate says

    February 10, 2014 at 11:32 am

    Our “donkey ride” was really a lot of fun. We always have fun at the Bat Cave with family and friends, no matter what. Lots of giggles and story telling. TheBAT (Back in Texas in the Bat Cave Loft with freezing rain in the forecast. Oh, well, on to more adventures.)

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      February 10, 2014 at 4:22 pm

      Always fun:))

      Reply

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Hi! I'm Talya Tate Boerner. Writer, Reader, Arkansas Master Naturalist / Master Gardener, Author of

THE ACCIDENTAL SALVATION OF GRACIE LEE (2016)

GENE, EVERYWHERE: a life-changing visit from my father-in-law (2020)

BERNICE RUNS AWAY (Now Available!)

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