I stopped by Joan Ave. an hour and a half ago just before two big flashing electric trucks pulled up in front of The Bunker (The Man Clan House). Could it be?? Could our electric be being restored after six days without??
So, I am pretty sure I found the answer to my last blog entry question: Ice is MUCH worse in the city. Given, I had cell service the whole time, I had a large pool of friends to turn to WITH power and I was close enough to stores that I ran short on nothing.... Nothing, but hot water
and heat, that is.
The progression of my backyard from 11 p.m. on Tuesday, an hour later at midnight, until the next morning around 11 a.m. when power was long destroyed at Checkpoint Charlie.
I woke up frequently through the night on Tuesday/Wednesday morning to the crashing of trees and branches all around our house. It was 4 a.m. when I woke to realize the house was off. First thing I did the next morning was pile on about five layers of clothing, knowing what heat was left in the house at that point would not last long. And it didn't.
I admit, the first night was pretty adventurous and fun. The Man Clanians had no vehicle access as power lines had come crashing down on either side of their house leaving them trapped. Luckily, that was not the case for Dani and myself so after a trip to the store we returnedt he The Bunker for a long afternoon, evening and night of board games, candles, beer and blankets.
There is something fun about playing board games again--something you aren't likely to do, especially with a bunch of 20-some year oldguys who own ever type of video game console out there. Dani, Joe, Steve, Josh, Josh, Jaso, Brittany and I had a fun-filled night. So the tradition continues that power outage nights with The Man Clan are always an adventure.
The "fun" to the adventure was over the next morning when we all awoke with little to no will power to get out from under out blankets into the frigid air. One night in the cold was more than enough.
Since then I have turned to one generous friend after another. Rachmo and Dana opened up their shower--it wasn't until a hot shower and a great cup of coffee that I realized how cold I'd actually gotten. I'd forgotten what it felt like to be warm from the inside out. Amazing. Brittany's amazing family opened up their home to the Joan Avenue homeless for a warm bed--lucky me even got a home cooked meal!
I finally headed back to work on Friday--which was not a complaint at all. I had a warm place with an internet connection all day! From there I picked up Kyle and KK and it was off to Lexington for the weekend to stay with Alyx and Holly at Bacca Bella. What a wondrous thing that we can turn to family the way we did. MJ treated us like family as well, opening up his house of food and more at any time we wanted to drop by. Alyx and Jo went on their way with their weekend plans while KK, Kyle and I had the most relaxing time ever simply reading books and eating Oreos. Yes, so maybe we are all complete nerds. It happens. I love having the family that I do, though.
So I returned last night to still have no power...KK still had no power...But Kyle did!! So it was another night of living out of a bag--but I did have a warm bed and a hot shower so, again, I won't complain too much.
Now, given, I am really thinking I'll be back at Checkpoint Charlie tonight AND Greystone was out of power before I was and is STILL out of power... the fact Mom and Pa have not gone without heat, have been able to sleep in their own beds comfortably and have had the generator going definitely brings me to the conclusion that I'd rather be stranded in the Valley during an ice storm on any given day.
I look forward to that day when the world goes black and I can smile knowing I am safe and warm in my own home.
Thank you to all of my wonderful family and friends for taking me in during this time!
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