Winners … and winter

It ended up that there were multiple comments, but suggestions for favors came from three readers, so I'm going to send each of you – Jen, Denise and Winnie – a goodie bag. Congratulations! Send your mailing addresses to me at: shrinkingknitter AT gmail DOT com.

I'll try to get them in the mail so you'll have them by Election Night, but no promises. I still have a lot of work to do on them.

I woke up really early, wide awake, and turned the television on to see the utter devastation in New York. I then texted REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. It's not much, but if we all do it … well, it could make a big difference. I can't quite believe the pictures I'm seeing. I'd compare it to one of those disaster movies, but I've never seen one so I'm not sure which title would fit best.

So far we have less than two inches of crunchy snow here in the Middle of Nowhere. My dog Hershey very delicately tiptoed outside an hour or so ago and came right back in. It's still snowing. Beckley, WV, which is 45 minutes northwest  of us (and 2000 feet higher), has EIGHT inches, according to the Weather Channel.

The power blipped a couple of times in the night, and the internet connection has been out briefly a couple of times this morning, but – crossing fingers – it looks like the new power poles which were erected following the derecho have remained standing. We've also had tree-trimming crews working nearly every day in the area for the past four months, cutting limbs from around power lines and getting rid of trees which were ready to topple.

I'm not sure if gasoline or municipal taxes pay for that service. I would assume one or the other (or some other form of taxation) does, but I Googled and can't find out for sure. (Should I be Bing-ing instead of Googling?) At any rate, it's times like these when you really have to think that, yes, government is a good thing, and taxes aren't all bad.

The wind is blowing steadily at around 22 mph, according to the weather widget on my phone, with gusts to 35.

Before I went to bed yesterday I:

• ran the dishwasher
• did laundry
• took a shower
• filled many vessels with water
• removed potential airborne projectiles from our property
• filled two insulated carafes with coffee

The potential projectiles included our campaign yard signs. I saw a virtual one from a local candidate on Facebook, and thought it was such a great idea that I put one on my Timeline.

I'm not sure I'm changing anyone's mind at this late date, though. Maybe some early Mitt voters will be sorry when they are reminded of his primary debate position to turn emergency disaster relief services over to the private sector. Isn't that the same as insurance? My dad lived in Florida and he couldn't even buy hurricane insurance!

But I digress. And I don't want to digress this morning. I want to stay safe and warm and I want to wish anyone in Hurricane Sandy's path comfort and good wishes for your safety and warmth, as well. May you be, in every way possible, sheltered from the storm.