01.18.06 ICE STORMS. SNOW. WIND. AND… an appreciation for those who are out there. New Milford CT

It was easy to imagine that I would be REALLY catching up on work in the webStudio with four days off from the day job. That was the intention. High hopes. A "To Do List." And, just about everything in order to be productive. Catch up on client's work and even take care of some chores around the house. It was a perfect plan.

Then came Saturday nite. The ice and snow storm - and thoughts about the kids and bride carpooling home from a Color Guard competition over in Bridgeport. It wasn't “that bad” until cars started getting stuck all over the driveway - and up on rocks! Everyone simply slept over.

Sunday. Most of the day? Shoveling. Throwing sand. Planning the logistics of “if we turn the steering wheel this way, push that way, and ease up on the clutch…” By the time all was said and done, the driveway was passable. Everyone finally made it home.

Who would have imagined that the Sunday fiasco was going to be the less-frustrating of the coming days.

Since then it's been winds and torrents of rain. Downtown flooded. And, the rest of the state? Heck if I know! We've been without power so there's no television or radio to watch or listen to. I had thought is was all over Tuesday night when I saw a few of the CL&P trucks pulling into Cookhouse. In my mind, it was a stop they deserved.

This morning? “Oh, the last day of my mini-vacation - I'll spend the time at the keyboard and answering emails.” BUT… I awoke to that grand silence of the “house-quiet” that only happens when there is no electricity. It is in ways a welcomed sound, or absence thereof. This place usually “humms” with all the computers and internet “stuff” running all the time. When the power is off? The dog seems calmer. You can hear the creaking of floorboards, and (goodness) the basement is always warm from the woodburner. “Well,” I thought to myself, “it is a vacation.” So, brought in some wood to dry, made a few phone calls and napped.

It's all - in theory - calmer and over now. Done.

The “humm” is back in the house. The computers and televisions are back on. And, we're not too concerned about the food in the freezer anymore. And, dear Lord above, we can FLUSH!

Even with all the insignificant incoveniences of the past few days, I still can't help but be grateful for the workers that were (and probably still are) out there - in the bad weather, on the icy roads and doing the extra hours to make sure that the rest of us have our electricity back - and our roads are safe to travel… the CL&P Crews, the New Milford Town Road Crews, the Police Department and all the others. Those folks are the ones that deserve a few days off!