Brutal Climate

On Sunday, Dec 13, the power went out in my son's apartment. He txt me the news and I suggested he break out the candles and enjoy a nice cuddle with his new wife, Sarah. A few minutes later, Bryan informed me that the power had been out for some time and it wasn't just Logan and Sarah's apt. A large portion of Sherwood Park was in darkness. Apparently, a power pole had ceased to remain vertical. Then, Mandy informed me that after a Christmas shopping spree with her children, it had been decided that she and her son would return home while her daughter and friend remained at the mall to finish up. Mandy had scarcely finished a cup of tea when she received a startling call from her daughter, "Mom, can you come get us? The mall is in darkness and people are stealing from the shops and running around like crazy." Mandy reported less than desirable behavior from the motorists when encountering the stalled traffic lights on her way to get the girls. Thankfully, they all returned home safely. What a day in our little hamlet!

This brutal cold snap reminds me of when we moved to our acreage 4 yrs ago. The boiler blew during sub zero temperatures. Our employees could not withstand the frosty basement office so were not asked to come to work. We shut everything down. It would be two weeks before we could get the new unit it. The old one had given up the ghost, so to speak.

I recall climbing into bed with my husband and the piles of covers taking forever to offer any warmth. We had to bring all the dogs into bed with us as they were whimpering in protest to the cold. They offered additional heat and were happy to lay against us in mutual desperation. We would eventually fall asleep but it was restless and the space heaters threw our heating bill through the roof! Our bill was in excess of $1,000.00. Our oldest son stayed at his girlfriend's house in their spare room. Logan and Sharayah were piled high in their respective beds with layer upon layer of blankets. Sharayah wore her winter coat and two pair of sweat pants with her father's sweat pants on top of those! Three pair of socks for everyone.

As I lay shivering under those covers, waiting for collective human/canine body heat to build, I thought of the pioneers. No heat other than that offered by a constantly tended fireplace and perhaps a bed warmer if they were lucky. They used to warm stones on the hearth and then put them in the bed. I hear fire was a constant threat.

In short, I'm glad everyone got their power on before too long. I can't help thinking of many homeless people out in the cold during this weather. My thoughts and prayers are with them. Tuck your family in and stay safe and sound. Perhaps we all could check our local city regarding donations of gently used winter coats for those in need.