STILL KICKING, I THINK

I hate updates, but thought I'd write another one just to confirm that I still have a pulse. Weak, but discernible, nevertheless....It's just after midnight, officially Sunday.

First off I want to thank everyone for being so kind, wishing me well, and sending warm thoughts via your comments. Your warmth is truly melting the snow. Heartfelt thanks!

I've always depended on the kindness of strangers.
(delivered with my best Blanche DuBois southern accent)

Words can hardly describe the sensation of colliding with solid ice. I had hurried outside to turn off the water before further flood damage occurred. The water meter is far enough away to induce fatigue and breathlessness. I had just reached it when both feet flew out from under me and I was literally body-slammed into the ice. Right on my back.

 My breath was knocked out. All I initially remember seeing is stars - - and my cowboy hat launched into orbit. I was so stunned and in so much pain that I just laid there. It was ten degrees. I knew that if I dallied for too long I'd freeze to death. I thought of scrawling Help! Dial 911 in the snow - but who was gonna see it? A moose?

I swear this is the gospel truth - I crawled on my hands and knees back to the house, and it was uphill all the way. And all I kept thinking was Wow,cowboy boots don't have any traction. 

I'm walking again, but it's more like a very painful hobble. Every part of my body is bruised and battered from the ice fall. Every movement is excruciating. Coughed up solid blood yesterday morning. My fingers are cracked and bleeding from the cold.

Tonight I crawled outside (crawled, I'm not kidding) with some pans to gather snow. I'm boiling it for water. I scared a 'possum that was on my back porch.

Crawling sounds pathetic, but at least I'm one up on the Donner Party - - I haven't resorted to eating anyone yet. Yet.
The three cats will be the first ones on my menu......

The power went off several more times, but now that it's back on I put some dinner in the oven (not the cats.....I had some food in the freezer).

Yesterday morning I was talking on the phone with my cousin and she gave me the numbers for the Red Cross and other emergency services. Ironically, five minutes later the big trees started toppling in her yard and knocked out her landline phone service. Her cell phone is also dead, so we are presently out of contact.
Ten miles away from each other.

At least it's not below zero tonight. And at least I have heat. Now, if only I had water......

My laptop is presently my most prized possession. It's my only contact with the outside world. You can hardly get any radio stations up here. A few Bible thumping Baptist stations accompanied by static........and a classical music station from the University of Kentucky. All the stations are from Kentucky, because I live so close to the border.

I wish I could shave and wash my hair. And bathe and wash my clothes. I'm looking extremely scary. A combination of Jedediah Smith and Big Foot.

I remember a time when I was sipping Dom Perignon with friends in Beverly Hills.

Now I'm crawling over Tennessee ice on hands and knees, gathering snow in pans for water.
Life is one wicked son-of-a-bitch, isn't it? The Gods of Fate are laughing their asses off.

The power is still on and my belated dinner is ready. Adieu, mes amis.