October 30, 2012
We awoke this morning to our southwest Virginia's response to
"Superstorm Sandy" that slammed the east coast overnight.
Cold air coming east from the jet stream collided with the warm winds of the tropical storm
and dumped more than 10 inches of snow on our doorstep in a rare October blizzard.
A winter wonderland for this Arizona boy.
The mission told all of us to stay indoors, so our Young Elders helped
us call Branch members to check on status of power and heat.
Only those living on mountain tops lost electricity initially: Keen Mountain,
Compton Mountain and Horne Mountain folks.
However, at 8:44 PM power went out in our neighborhood and we cuddled in layers of clothes
to keep warm all night. We awoke Halloween day...32 degrees outside, 53 degrees inside.
Cleo Van Dyke, our landlord, left her husband's bedside
who is convalescing from three brain cancer surgeries, to bring us a propane space heater.
What wonderful people they are.
Much to our relief, central heat and running hot water returned 24 hours later.
However, at 8:44 PM power went out in our neighborhood and we cuddled in layers of clothes
to keep warm all night. We awoke Halloween day...32 degrees outside, 53 degrees inside.
Cleo Van Dyke, our landlord, left her husband's bedside
who is convalescing from three brain cancer surgeries, to bring us a propane space heater.
What wonderful people they are.
Much to our relief, central heat and running hot water returned 24 hours later.
Hurricane Sandy is being dubbed the "Storm of the Century" and has left millions
without power, transportation, and normalcy. New Jersey and New York hit the hardest.
We feel so protected.
Our apartment deck railing is about as wide as a gymnastic balance beam
and this is the most snow accumulation we have seen in the 13 months we have been in Virginia.
[ We hoped Elder Butler was able to make his snow angel that eluded him all last winter! ]
Yesterday was autumn
Today is winter
Tomorrow we hope for sunshine!
