True Confessions (sorry, big read)

[dcnctx]

These are the things we usually keep secret but I can finally accept and admit my humanity so I confess...

First of all:

Did you know that H2O is flammable? With flames and smoke... That is if you add sugar to it.

Secondly:

Thank goodness for miracles, grace, mercy, good luck and the like!

Here's the story:

While making hummingbird food on the stove yesterday (mostly water and a bit of sugar) the electric company pulled up to work on my security light as requested, well not exactly pulled up. They passed the house and I was afraid they were about to service my brother's light instead. This must be where my feeble, human brain ran afoul. Going to the door to see if I was correct, the electric company went right on by. Before I returned to my train of thought with the hummingbird food heating on the stove, I heard their engine and realized they'd turned around and sure enough, they came into view and stopped.

Now years ago, I knew exactly how a situation like this should have been handled but that was years ago... when I was a bit less human!

I proceeded out the door to make sure they were straight on the location of the work and, since this is a small town and I knew them, exchanged the formalities of small town life, and caught up on the latest. The visit with the workers lasted until they were finished with their task at which time, I thanked them, and watched as they pulled away. (About 15 min.) I know, water boils in 5...

In the meantime: While standing in the yard, I realized that our recent 3" rainfall had really effected the height of the grass, which was indeed in need of mowing and in the heat of the day to boot. (Didn't want any more visitors to notice the unkempt August lawn) The lawn should normally be yellow and dormant this time of year.

Well, of course, the riding mower needed air and fuel so I was out to the shop for the required items. (If only it hadn't been the heat of the day, I might have seen a hummingbird that could have jarred my mind back to my previous activities. (now 25 minute earlier) I know, water boils in 5...

With the mower fueled, oil checked, tires aired up, I was ready for business so I proceeded to get with it. Now you know, mowing a good acre takes a little bit of time! You would've at least thought mowing beside the hummingbird feeders would have jarred my memory. It didn't; must have been the heat.

Now speaking of the heat, thank God for the heat but not until the mowing was finished did I stop for a drink. I parked the mower in it's proper place and walked back to the front door. Perhaps about 2 hours later. I know, water boils in 5...

I cannot tell you the surpise of opening your front door to a smoke filled house, ceiling to floor. Good grief! Needless to say my memory flooded back... (Where had it been - my memory; It was completely gone.) Hopefully not Altzheimer's getting a foothold. I sure hope not, anyway...

Oh NO! The hummingbird food on the stove! Well I rushed to the stove and through a cloud of white smoke, shut the burner down. I did remember the house pets, my little dog and my wife's new teacup Chihuahua. I rushed to their aid fortunately they were in good shape, not expired from the smoke. Upon getting them outside, I went back to see the damage. The pot is probably a lost cause, the hummingbird food was a block of jet black, honeycombed and smoking substance without a drop of liquid remaining.

Fortunately nothing else burned(but the pot); oh, it still smells like it did burn. When I opened the front and back doors, it looked like a chimney coming out the back door. How was I ever going to get the house back to normal before my wife returned. Of course, I didn't. The better-half was very gracious. Way more than I would have been 20 years ago. She did do it to a pot of corn on the cob once. I'm sure I made a snide remark or two because back then, I wasn't human.

Well I am human now and must admit it and hopefully not something of a more serious nature such as Altzheimer's. I would say a case of absent-mindedness and definately a humbling experience.
Lessons:

• What I knew from years ago: If you step away from a stove, TURN IT OFF!
• Remember, you are human.
• Water will burn! (with sugar in it)
• It can always be worse.
• Count your blessings when you survive your own stupidity.

I'm sure there are others and I hope ya'll remember to be careful. I'm glad I didn't look up from the mower to see the roof on fire!

Oh yea, one last lesson; Remember to grab your camera to record the event. Thank goodness I still have mine.

[dhphoto]

If I did that then I would have been "expired" when my wife got home. As you said though, it could have been worse.

[123canon]

aww dang! no pics?

[dcnctx]

I beat myself up this time. (Mentally of course) It's bewildering to think how dumb mistakes can take everything a person has. I would hate to think I was vying for a "Darwin Award" so it's time to evaluate and be more careful.

[dcnctx]

Originally Posted by 123canon

aww dang! no pics?

It's easily duplicable! (4 cups water, 1 cup sugar - burner on medium, cook for 2 hours)

[studiocygnet]

No smoke detectors going off to remind you? Or maybe you couldn't hear them over the mower. I did this to a pyrex glass pot once, the whole pot exploded and sent little burning pieces of glass all over the room, melting into the counter top and floor.

[dcnctx]

Time for a new one, the detector never went off.

Maybe I could blame the DIY mentality and all of the wonderful technology that distracts the feeble human brain.

It's amazing our homes are as safe as they are given all the technology and inherent dangers in them.

I can't imagine ever doing it again. It is very sobering.

[onewingedangel73106]

smoke detector check the batteries? We have at least 3 in our split level house- there are actually spots for more but when they all go bad at once it drives you nuts. I just put new batteries in all ours.

[photonewb]

Originally Posted by onewingedangel73106

smoke detector check the batteries? We have at least 3 in our split level house- there are actually spots for more but when they all go bad at once it drives you nuts. I just put new batteries in all ours.

sound idea, great advice...but probably wouldn't have mattered over the sounds of the lawn mower

[dcnctx]

Certainly true, the house is tiny so it really only needs one detector but as a photographer I need at least one back up, of course

[Angelo]

DC, thank you for sharing your experience. I'm sure you are grateful that it wasn't worse.
I also read it to my wife since she does all the cooking...
Thanks again

[gardener]

and I hate to mention this, but hummingbird food (sugar water) can be made quite safely with hot water straight out of the tap. 4:1 ratio as you noted in a two litre plastic pop bottle. Shake like crazy to dissolve the sugar, loosen lid just a bit, leave on countertop to cool, and then place in the frig until needed...

Glad both you and your house came through the ordeal just fine...

[JaertX]

so did it attract any hummingbirds?

[dcnctx]

Originally Posted by Angelo

DC, thank you for sharing your experience. I'm sure you are grateful that it wasn't worse.
I also read it to my wife since she does all the cooking...
Thanks again

Hey, thanks, Angelo. Yes, it is funny to think while I'm sitting here typing as normal that things could actually be very different now. This spot could be a pile of still smoking ashes instead. It made me feel better to confess and hopefully it will cement the lesson that I already knew in my head for good. I think my wife will take care of the cooking for awhile...
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Originally Posted by gardener

...hummingbird food (sugar water) can be made quite safely with hot water straight out of the tap. 4:1 ratio as you noted in a two litre plastic pop bottle. Shake like crazy to dissolve the sugar, loosen lid just a bit, leave on countertop to cool, and then place in the frig until needed...

Thanks, Steve, for the recipe. As late in the season as it is I can probably use that method. I've done both. The boiled version doesn't ferment as quickly but it's certainly not worth your house to boil it. (I always taught "Safety First"; I just need to remember it.)
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Originally Posted by JaertX

so did it attract any hummingbirds?

Howdy Jason, yep I've attracted quite a gathering of hummingbirds this summer but not with that batch. That batch might could have been an art installation in a museum. I wouldn't know what to call it, maybe "Man in Kitchen"
I've had about 20 to 25 on three feeders at the peak in July. I still have about 8 or 10 coming by everyday. They're something to watch.

[SaSha]

Originally Posted by dcnctx

Time for a new one, the detector never went off.

Maybe I could blame the DIY mentality and all of the wonderful technology that distracts the feeble human brain.

It's amazing our homes are as safe as they are given all the technology and inherent dangers in them.

I can't imagine ever doing it again. It is very sobering.

Maybe the "event" was just needed to make sure you replace/check your smoke detectors...get some really loud ones that will make your pets rage.
But yeah, we all learn a lesson from close calls.
Glad nobody or nothing got hurt.