Calling the fire department last night may have been over reacting. But at 10 p.m., a regulated beeping noise woke me from a deep sleep. Yes, I go to bed at 9 p.m. I sent Rooster downstairs to check on Our Teenager and the noise.The carbon monoxide alarm was going off right outside Our Teenager’s computer room. The boys’ solution? Push on the flashing button with a pool cue. But the beeping wouldn’t stop. I put on a sweatshirt (the house is very air conditioned), padded downstairs and assessed the situation.
I’ve read the stories of sisters dying in their sleep from carbon monoxide poisoning. Of babies napping to their death. Of negligent landlords and faulty gas lines. I imagined Our Teenager passed out on the marble floor of Uncle K’s mini mansion. Hell no, I thought. Not on my watch. I ordered Our Teenager upstairs and called 311.
A calming woman on the other end of the line told me to open some windows while she connected me to the fire department. Soon we had the flashing lights, a siren, and three tired looking guys in big boots and suspenders clomping through the house to measure carbon monoxide levels. Nada. They took the alarm off the ceiling, handed it to Rooster and told him to air it out outside. Then they left.
I think my boys think I’m crazy, but they had the kindness not to taunt me about it.
Jelly Belly Dream Bean Contest
The Rules: Using a limit of 25-characters, create a Dream Bean flavor. Describe the jelly belly using 500 characters or less.
The Prize: $10,000 and 100 pounds of the winning Jelly Belly flavor.
The Entry: There is nothing more tongue tingling than Burnt Caramel. The nutty sweetness of caramelized sugar accented with the sharp bite of burnt sweetness. Think Mexican flan, and the crisp top of crème-brulee and you’ll see understand why Burnt Caramel Dream Beans are the Jelly Belly of the future.
