Saturday, November 26, 2011

Saturday

Happy Thanksgiving. I just skimmed an article that said that the fact that Obama gave a speech on Thanksgiving that did not expressly mention "God" caused "outrage." Not here. Yesterday I was listening to an NPR show - that hotbed of left-wing socialistic godless atheism - on historical issues relating to Thanksgiving. It was pointed out what a perfect holiday Thanksgiving is for America, exactly because it is a non-religious religious holiday, being "thankful" for "blessings" without actually being tied to any particular religion and therefore being inclusive in a way that religious religious holidays are not. Perhaps that is where Obama was coming from? But, gee, why give him the benefit of the doubt.

I had a wonderful visit to Atlanta. Pics to be attached.




Big brother helps little brother who pulls himself to his feet and investigates big brother's Monopoly game.


























Yesterday, "black Friday" after Thanksgiving, I went and got my hair cut. I was reminded that it was the second anniversary of the day I had my hair cut off after beginning chemo therapy. Two years. Seems longer. And also, seems like just yesterday.

Ella and I went to the park in the morning yesterday and again this morning. The park is full of overturned trees and giant limbs torn from still standing trunks, from the October 30 snow storm. While we were there a full complement of Canada geese flew in and landed on the north pond. It was good to see them back.

Peace, peace, far and near.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Tuesday morning

Power to the people.

At least, power to this people - David called me at work at around 2:30 yesterday afternoon. Power had come back on. It was weird coming home to a lit street and lit house. Even this morning when I turned on a light switch, I didn't really expect anything to happen. And yet, it was almost as if nothing happened. When the local news came on, I couldn't believe any story came before the power outages. I checked this morning, and there are still 23,000 people in the state without power. I feel for them. I'm grateful to have power back. And I'm pissed at CL&P and Butler in his $1.8 million house. Worst part is, if anger swells and he loses his job, he probably has an employment contract that will pay him millions in "severance". Golden f'ing parachute. Someone needs to snip those strings.

Power to the people.

Peace.

Monday, November 7, 2011

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Saturday morning

No power since 8:00 p.m. Saturday October 29. We had a snow storm - about 8 inches in my area - but with leaves still on the trees, there were branches, limbs and whole trees down everywhere. More than 800,000 customers without power. 8 days later, it's down to 230,000 without power - our neighborhood among them. It's been an interesting experience. I've been able to shower at work in the women's locker room, only having to wait in line for 20 minutes or so. David has made do with heating water on the store (we have a gas stove and that is working) and then taking a Haiti-style bath: get in the tub, ladle warm water over yourself, soap yourself, and ladle more warm water over yourself to wash off.

It's cold at night. About 50 degrees in the apartment. That doesn't sound that cold, but it grinds you down.

Still it's been interesting. I'm at Panera Bread this morning using Wi-Fi. One evening David and I went to Barnes & Noble to check email. Both times, both places have been real community scenes. People talking to strangers, getting to know each other, helping out. Perhaps we should lose power more often.

I wish there was a place that would take bets (actually, come to think of it, there probably is) on whether the power company will restore 99% of customers' power by Sunday evening at 11:59 p.m. I would bet against them. From what I've been hearing, it would be hard to find someone betting they will do it.

Many people have given up and gone elsewhere - to family or friends who do have power, to people whose power has been restored, to hotels. Some have traveled out of town. David and I (and Ella) have hunkered down.

Well, wishing peace and power (people power and otherwise) to all.