Been awhile...

How have you been fairing these February days? Here in Iowa we have finally gotten what you call a "storm". Parts of the state have gotten a little snow, others have gotten freezing rain /snow, still others have received lots and lots of snow. Many people are without electricity and water. My husband and I fall into that category. Saturday noon , February 24th we were sitting down to lunch and the electricity blinked a couple of times and went totally out. In an effort to keep our water from freezing we kept the taps open a little bit through the night, again around noon on Sunday we lost another important means of existence, water. We had our propane left to cook with and to heat the area around the stove for a short time. The cold was becoming more prominent and starting to make leaving home a little easier. As we sat eating lunch Sunday, our breathe became visible when we exhaled. The telephone service was being taxed as well. Either by everybody trying to find alternate living arrangements or contacting loved ones in the affected areas. Our neighbor's tried to contact us via phone to invite us to share their basement with them, which they were able to keep at a balmy 50 degrees with the help of a kerosene heater. They also had wanted to have us share some stew made over a wood fueled open grill...What a kind gesture. However, we had already prepared our own, and had only become aware of their idea when my husband took our tractor down the drive to check on our exodus from the home front. We have taken up temporary quarters with our daughter and her family 32 miles from home. My husband plans on an excursion home after he leaves work this evening to make sure all is well in our absence. Iowa is on the list of states that are expecting more winter weather by mid-week. Guess we should get ready for the new round of "patience trying" extremes. Last week we saw temperatures in the upper 30's, 40's and I believe even into the 50's. Why couldn't it have lasted until Spring finally made it's appearance ? ; ) Time to wish everyone well...Hope you are safe and warm- with family, friends or in a hotel to escape the elements. Later!