Helloooo from Frigidaire

There was a small ice storm the other night and we've been without electricity for what is beginning to seem like ages.

There’s some power left in this laptop – enough to let everyone know that’s the reaon we are not on line. At the moment, we have no heat, no lights, and no water. We do have a phone however…thus this post can slooowly wend its way out via dial-up.

The Baron lugged in a smelly kerosene heater from the storage shed so we’re not freezing – yet. And we keep bottled water and food supplies on hand so we shouldn’t waste away before the electric co-operative figures out which tree is lying across which line and fixes things.

Yesterday the ice melted and the B went to get Chinese food (what do you eat when your hands are turning to icicles?)

The next time you hear from us, things will have returned to their normal humdrum routine and this will simply be “hey, remember the Saint Valentine’s Day Freeze of ’07?” If I had enough battery power I’d tell you about the real ice storm in ’94. But that tale will have to wait until warmer times.

Now I must go find my coat…this down comforter makes it hard to move.

Should the world end, no doubt someone will call us. By then, the news may even come as a relief. At least it won’t be freezing anymore.

Our main concern is tonight. It’s supposed to go about fifteen degrees below freezing before daylight and that doesn’t bode well for the pump, which may freeze with water in its veins. Not good.

The Baron -- gentleman that he is -- wants me to go to a hotel in Li’l Kumquat while he stays here to keep the pipes from freezing. But I’m going down with the ship, thank you just the same.

Stay warm, wherever you are! And don’t worry: the top of the kerosene heater makes great coffee. In fact, I may be able to cook bacon and eggs later on.