When the Power is Out

I should have paid more attention. I wish I would have listened to Grandmas stories a little more. Grams was born January of 1900 and loved us until she was 96. One day she simply said “This old body has had enough, I miss grandpa. I love you.” And she was gone. My grandparent spent 71 years together. I sure so do miss her sitting across the counter from me and my cousin, telling us stories of life in her cabin before the state made her and grandpa put in electricity. That was in the late 1960’s, if memory serves me correctly. She was upset about the whole deal, Grams loved the cabin just the way it was. My Dad and Grandpa built this home for their retirement. Lovingly put together from the trees on the property. Nestled next to an old dirt road, the log cabin faced a pristine body of water. At the time it was built there were no other houses around that crystal clear lake at all. It was peaceful and serene. During my working days I spent many years caring for old people. Some in nursi...

"The two most important days in your life were the day you were born and the day you find out why." Mark Twain May 17, 2020 - Day 64 of the great American lock-down      It's still pretty chilly where I live, about 100 miles north of the 45th parallel. The night temperatures crawl down into the mid 20's, while the day time temps settle in at about 45 degrees with dark clouds and icy winds. Not very agreeable for the middle of May. Weatherman says we are headed to a warm up, yea!! I was waiting for the coffee maker to finish it's cycle the other morning just about dawn, when my attention drifted over to the patio door. There on the other side of the glass was a shivering red squirrel. The icy wind driving exposed skin patches in his thick fur. Mr. Red Squirrel was begging the cat to let him in. It was cold! I felt a moment of sympathy for the little fellow, filled my cup with the bitter brew and headed back...