I did something this morning I have not done since 2006: I paid my Ameren/CILCO gas bill. In Illinois, your gas cannot be turned off until April, regardless of whether you make partial payments or no payments at all. It is a humane thing to do. But it makes paying my electric bill from Springfield’s City Water Light and Power Company (a city-owned utility) the higher priority.
I had suffered this shame twice before, the first in 1981 when I was living at 326 S. MacArthur. During the discommect time, I carried a big pot of water taken right off the stove and boiling, up a flight of stairs and poured into cold water from the tap, combining them to make minimum acceptable comfort. I paid my overdue bill in June that year. The second time was 2004. Using the same big pan I had carried in 80, I did the same thing about once a week. In 2005 I ALMOST had the Ameren/CILCO disconnect my gas to avoid paying for my hot water. Washing my hands in icy tap water was no big deal any more, nor were baths in about three inches of water in the tub. Prisoners of war could do it. Soldiers and pilots in remote combat theaters could do it, and by golly I could do it too! I shared my intentions with friends, and they talked me into keeping my gas connected.
Since April I have taken one three-inches bath because I found a technique for thorough sponge baths which used about half the water but sure gave my stove a workout. The over-use of the eyes led to a small one burning out.
The forecast for the next week is warmness. Until I read of a stretch of three days in the 40s, I’m not even going to call Ameren/CILCO to re-connect my gas.
No reason I should just to keep the hot water hot in my water heater.
Live long . . . . . . . . and proper.
