[Kenny_S]

Goes to show you, us'ns in this part of the country don't rely on the feds for help. they help each other here. yep, they do. Some just helps themselves to our money. I for one thanks Lynn for naming those whoe gouges others and they ain't wood carvers.

Still yet, does nothing to help Lynn. he has to rely on himself, That is a shame.
heres to the future looking brighter Lynn.

Hang in there.

[Paul_Guraedy]

When Diana and I first retired to the ranch, we expected services at least equal to those in the rest of the county. We live a mile off of U.S. 412 (road ends in our front yard) on a road with only a few other families. I found that this does not put us very high on the priority list for anything. The road is graded only a couple of times a year, snow melts long before "our turn" for plowing comes up, electric power is restored to all the more populated areas before we even see a truck checking on the damage.

But, you know what? It's worth it! Now, I have come to accept the status I am given for choosing to live at the "end of the world". The house is seldom locked, my shop never is, keys are always in my farm truck and tractor, neighbors drop in to "check on us" if we have not been seen coming and going in a while (and they take note of every vehicle coming and going), a generator sits on the front porch (powerful enough to run the well, air conditioning-in summer, and power the TV). I return the neighbors helpfulness by using my tractor and front-end loader to clear the road (the mile to the U.S. hwy) and pull them from ditches (neighbors are still actively employed and have to get to work). I lay in enough firewood so that I can weather out each storm. And, the storm limits my outside work.....gives me an excuse to carve instead of doing chores.

Certainly there is a lot of pain in disaster. But, there is always a lot to be thankful for also. Even though Diana and I pretty well ride out each storm in isolation; each event causes us to appreciate having the neighbors that we do. It brings us together. Life is good, my frien's, enjoy it!

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Okay....this will be my last post here but before I go I wanted to share one more thought.

When I was just a little whipper-snapper, my English teacher, a Mrs. McCabe, assigned us the task of memorizing the poem that follows. For some reason it has always stuck with me.

There are hermit souls that live withdrawn
In the place of their self-content;
There are souls like stars, that dwell apart,
In a fellowless firmament;
There are pioneer souls that blaze the paths
Where highways never ran-
But let me live by the side of the road
And be a friend to man.

Let me live in a house by the side of the road
Where the race of men go by-
The men who are good and the men who are bad,
As good and as bad as I.
I would not sit in the scorner's seat
Nor hurl the cynic's ban-
Let me live in a house by the side of the road
And be a friend to man.

I see from my house by the side of the road
By the side of the highway of life,
The men who press with the ardor of hope,
The men who are faint with the strife,
But I turn not away from their smiles and tears,
Both parts of an infinite plan-
Let me live in a house by the side of the road
And be a friend to man.

I know there are brook-gladdened meadows ahead,
And mountains of wearisome height;
That the road passes on through the long afternoon
And stretches away to the night.
And still I rejoice when the travelers rejoice
And weep with the strangers that moan,
Nor live in my house by the side of the road
Like a man who dwells alone.

Let me live in my house by the side of the road,
Where the race of men go by -
They are good, they are bad, they are weak, they are strong,
Wise, foolish - so am I.
Then why should I sit in the scorner's seat,
Or hurl the cynic's ban?
Let me live in my house by the side of the road
and be a friend to man.

Now, considering what has happened around here over the past two weeks, it is clear that Mr. Shaw wrote this soliloquy while relaxing in his recliner in his nice warm house under the glare of a 100 watt light bulb.

People have often told me that I shouldn't be so cynical and I guess they're probably right. Unfortunately, that' just the way I am and it's too late for a makeover. But even being a cynic if you happen to pass by you're welcome to stop in for a friendly chat and a hot cup of coffee providing I can find something to heat it up with!

No more posts from me on this subject...I promise! Now, I'm going down the hill and build a fire in the shop and make some chips!

And be a friend to man.

[Irish]

I would expect that the pioneer, self-content, strivers, and everyone else listed in your poem would also open the door to strangers and offer them a cup of coffee.

I believe that we chose how we live as well as how we interact with life and the people we encounter. For me, I chose an Attitude of Gratitude. For me, if the glass is totally empty I get the wonder, joy and adventure of filling it up again!

Me

[Tom H]

And you are Lynn, and you are! Tom H

[whitecree]

Wow, Lynn. I hear you loud and clear! If I had a generator, I'd send it to you.

Not trying to top your story by any means - the longest I've gone without "juice" is 2 days. But you're 200% right about the BS stories the power company hands you and just how flipping stupid they can be.
I once warned them about a large hemlock that was leaning into the line, and they sais they didn't have any right to cut it down, it was on Crown Land, therefore it was the province's responsibility. Call the province and after getting shuttled from department to another, they claim it is the responsibility of the road maintenance contractor. Call them, nope, nothing to do with them, call the power company.

As to the gouging - and it was gouging, make no mistake about that - it seems to be the general state of the world. Make as much money as possible and the heck with being a good neighbour.

Too bad your power company wasn't run by a fellow carver.

[jillsy]

My husband's motto lately seems to be, "Nothing ever goes right for me". I'll have to show him your posting; if anything, misery loves company!

Sorry to hear about all your troubles. It's always worse when you KNOW you're being played.

Jillsy

[Kenny_S]

Watched a littlr left wing news last night on Tulsa's channel six and they reported that 0 residents for PSo were without power, Another company had 200 but the Rural Electric Co-op still had several thousand. ly Lynn is in the latter. I wonder why they did not ask for help in getting power back to their residents. Bet those volunteers who were dismissed would have gladly stay to get power to the REC folks.
Nah Lynn, we understand what you are saying.
I will be at our city meeting next month asking question why the streets were not cleaned till days after the strom. Odd thing is, You see two city workers in each pickup just riding around town. Then when people has their drive ways shoveled out the city crews come back and plows ya back in. Not so bad, but when they are laughing as the plow you back in, that tears it.
Yeo, I as well as several others are on the city's agenda. That is the ONLY way you can be heard.
I am betting that if lynn refuses to pay his bill this month, they would cut him off. Hey, send them the Generator bills since the REC could not provide power like they say they do.

Irish, my glass is always half full,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
of something .
Again Lynn, Hang in there!

[santagibbs]

I don't know if it will help or not, but Lynn I am praying for you and your family..
There's nothing worse to be down and have people kicking you..That does call for some crying out for help! You go ahead and vent we will hear your cry and pray pray pray.. I been there done that . Maybe not in ice but in lifes circumstances. Somehow we go on and laugh again. You sure can't laugh in the middle of a crisis though... Charlotte

[JIM QUILICI]

ah..come on Lynn tell us what is really bothering you. lol.......... It all comes down to money, The big electrical co. don't make money on a few people (people who live in the boondocks ) but make a bunch on city folks . so they get fixed first. and we can't do anything about it. except Vent.and may I say you did very well. thank you. lol
Just old Jim