There are seven of us. Add two parents, nine in-laws, twelve grandkids, and 6.5 great-grandkids, and you’ve got more than our family home can handle comfortably. This was the first time in quite awhile that all of us have been able to get together at the same time. While seemingly chaotic, the family gathering follows … Read More “A Taylor Family Christmas” »
Author: Tom
I got out of bed, started a pot of coffee, and got the paper to read. I had plenty of light, and the house was warm. It was a normal morning. What a change from yesterday, when I fired up the generator to make a pot of coffee and run the heater in the bathroom, … Read More “Normal Morning” »
Right. Still no power. My litany is starting to lose its effectiveness at keeping me sane.
Now is the solstice of the year, winter is the glad song that you hear. Seven maids move in seven time. Have the lads up ready in a line. Ring out these bells. Ring out, ring solstice bells. Ring solstice bells. Join together beneath the mistletoe. by the holy oak whereon it grows. Seven druids … Read More “Happy Solstice” »
Yes, I’m about to snap. First, I watch as every house in our neighborhood regains power……except ours. The earliest estimate I have is still Thursday for the electrician, then Saturday for the reconnect. It’s hard to keep a positive disposition when your neighbors have lights and you’re still sitting in the dark. My better nature … Read More “Warmth” »
It has almost become a litany – a recitation of the things we still have that make us luckier that many in this storm. We have a generator. We have hot water. We have firewood. We have jobs that won’t lose revenue due to power outages. We have places with power that we can stay. … Read More “Still Powerless” »
Services were held at Fourth Presbyterian this morning, despite a lack of power. We hauled in piano from the Fellowship Hall, and had an abreviated service in a very cold sanctuary. With the bright sunlight filtering through the stained glass, and given the simplicity necessitated by a lack of printed bulletins, it was a very … Read More “Cold Church” »
The Hunter knew that he was luckier than most. The lower level of his dwelling had some heating from a natural gas stream that fed a small flame. There was some hot water, but still, it was not enough to prepare food or maintain warmth necessary for to soothe his sick mate or her elderly … Read More “Fuel” »
Today we had the first ice storm of the season. Autumn had been unusually warm, and most of the trees still had leaves that had not fallen. That proved to be disasterous. The frozen wet leaves were more than some trees could handle, and we lost many more limbs than usual. One of our favorite … Read More “The price of missing autumn” »
Monday’s child is fair of face, Tuesday’s child is full of grace, Wednesday’s child is full of woe, Thursday’s child has far to go, Friday’s child is loving and giving, Saturday’s child works hard for his living, And the child that is born on the Sabbath day Is bonny and blithe, and good and gay. … Read More “Wednesday’s Child” »