I woke earlier than usual. I was shocked to find it only a bit after nine. I can’t remember the last time I had so much morning. so much extra time. I dawdled and had an English muffin and two cups of coffee. The day is pretty and warmish. It might even get to 40°. I have no plans except for a few household chores.

When I was in Ghana, my students wanted to know everything about my home. They would visit after study hours. I’d hear a knock then what sounded like caw, caw. They’d leave their shoes at the front door then come inside. I showed them pictures of my home and family and answered their questions. They wanted to know why I had no children being as old as I was, 22, and why no husband. They wondered how Mary had Jesus but was still a virgin. For that one, I just said it was God’s way. They asked about snow. Their understanding of cold was based on harmattan weather when the nights could get as chilly as the 60’s or 70’s and even colder. My students layered for those cold mornings. I chuckled and enjoyed the cooler morning. I used crushed ice cubes to give them an idea of real cold. I even threw a few snowballs. If they were here for this storm, they would have believed the world was ending.

I still can see in my mind’s eye the house where I grew up. It was on a corner lot so we had a bigger front yard than the other duplexes. Just beyond the steps was a grassy hill. Below the hill was a sidewalk. On it was mailbox and a streetlight pole. Sitting inside by the picture window was my favorite spot when it snowed. I’d watch the snow fall. It was highlighted by the streetlight. The snow would sometimes fall sideways, blown by the wind. There was a fierceness about it. Sometimes large, wet flakes would fall. They took a while to stick to the ground. The smaller flakes fell constantly and quickly covered the ground. I’d keep checking to see how deep the snow was getting. My last check was just before bed. I fell asleep hopeful that the snow was covering everything, that I’d hear the no school fire alarm. Back then, for every kid, snow was a good thing.

On Wednesday around ten the electricity came back on. By then my house was 39°. I was wearing so many layers you’d be hard press to identify the stack of clothes as human. The lights had gone off on Monday, early afternoon. Between then and now was an adventure of sorts but not the sort you’d chose.

I gathered my supplies. That was an easy task as I hadn’t many. I had a Rayovac lantern, a dim flashlight and several candles. It was while I was writing Coffee on Monday that the lights went out, around 1. At first I just sat and read. The wind was raging. I could hear branches making Halloween scary scratching noises on the house, on two sides. The dogs looked up a few times but then ignored the sound. All I could hear was the wind. The house started to get cold. I added a heavy sweater, grabbed more layers, a hat and some mittens in case I needed them. I was warm enough but only for a while.

The dogs wouldn’t go out during the storm. Who could blame them? The house temperature kept falling, but that first day was bearable. I slept through the night covered in blankets. From the next day on the house got colder and so did I. The days were spent reading using a flashlight and trying to turn the pages with my mittens on.

In front, on the side and in backyard of my house are fallen trunks of pine trees. One landed on the fence which is only standing upright as it is being held by the fallen tree. It is the same with the front fence.

Poor Henry didn’t fare well. Part of a fallen tree with all its branches fell cross the back steps. Neither dog would walk underneath the tree to the yard. I then broke as many branches as I could. Nala went under the branches to the yard. Henry did too but had trouble going up the stairs. I called and called and he finally came up. Later both dogs went out again. Nala came inside. Henry would not. He stood at the end of the stairs whining and crying. It went on too long. I decided to save him. I laid down on my back on the deck and tried to go under the branches to Henry. I got stuck in the branches and couldn’t get up the stairs. Finally I freed myself but couldn’t stand up. More of this part of the story in a bit.

My family and my friends were worried. I was alone with two dogs, a cat and no heat. The texts went back and forth between my family and friends. They sent a police officer to do a wellness check. I passed. My nephew in North Carolina called my nephew here, and he came. He checked in with me to see what I needed. Tim brought a pizza, hot coffee, Reese’s and a new flashlight and batteries. He cleared the front and back steps of snow. He left and said he’s be back the next day to shovel out my car. This is when the worst of Henry’s nightmare started. He wouldn’t come up the steps, too many branches in the way. He stood at the bottom crying and trying to go up the stairs. I got crazy that poor Henry wouldn’t climb the stairs. I did the slide on my back down the stairs and got caught again. This time was worse. I couldn’t get unstuck, too many branches grabbing at me. I was the character in the horror movie destined to die, killed by tree branches. Finally I got upright. I was soaked. Henry was still at the foot of the stairs. That went on for 40 minutes. I called my nephew, and he came and cleared the tree. Henry came inside but was nervous and jumpy all night. Yesterday he was back to normal.

My family and friends were lifesavers. They tried to keep track of me. My dear, good friend brought me food yesterday. The surprise was a pastry so good my fingers got covered in chocolate and cream. She brought dinner and cream for my coffee. My family and friends kept in touch with each hoping one of them would hear from me. Once I had electricity back, I called them all. I am ever so thankful.

Now what did I learn? First, I’ll not be sliding on my back down the stairs again. I’ll have more light, more lanterns. I’ll have more than crackers and peanut butter in my cupboard. I’ll fill a closet with blankets. I’ll have more chocolate. that last one is critically important.