POWER!! After 11 days we got power back at 4pm today.This followed endless tweets and emails to various officials and LIPA ( power company). None were answered but we did get a couple of general updates ( which turned out not to be accurate).
At 8am this morning I had been offered the use of a generator by a friend. I used precious gas to head to Babylon and meet him for the valuable exchange. While on the way home I found a pile of cut firewood left in a parking lot by a good soul. Packing as much wood into the car for back-up in case the generator did not work I headed home to (1) get the wood into the house (2) get the generator set up (3) get odd numbered gas for the car and generator.
By this time my wife and daughters were emotionally drained and physically exhausted by the lack of heat during the last really cold nights.
Reaching my house I noticed more activity by LIPA crews than I have seen in 10 days. All along our adjoining streets crews were in cherry picker, and surveyors going from home to home inspecting electrical boxes for damage. We had to sign affidavits that
we were visited. Hopefully this was the final step in getting power back. One of the workers said it was not anticipated for power restoration until Monday. So I had to get a move on and get wood into the house and then the gennie going.
However I saw a LIPA power truck go by and hailed him down. Jim, the worker, was also burned out it like the rest of us. He said that he had a short list of homes that needed to be shut off before power could be turned on. Glitch was he lost or thought a hysterical resident took the list to stop restoration if her house was not included. I volunteered to coordinate with the surveyors and try to get the names back to him as he continued to do his job. He took off one way and I another.
It was good fortune that I met the surveyors 2 blocks away, gave them the info then rushed back home to continue to carry the 100 logs into the house.
(Funny just a while back my wife said we never use the fireplace,. Well, over the past
11 days it was one center of emotional strength and some physical comfort. Amazing how the strong flames can provide a sense of security and nexus of family.
That along with steam heat generated from large pots on our stove provided the minimal degree of warmth.)
Turns out that as he drove back he confessed that the list had fallen into his lunch pail. He apologized and we laughed a bit. He also shared that the power company had changed payroll services last week and his total paycheck for 16 hr days was $314. He sure was upset. But he did hie job none the less. Thanks Jim.
Lots of interactions with neighbors coming and going, more chats with Jim about timing for possible restoration and thinking of how to hook the gennie to the furnace kept me very busy as I worked to beat the setting of the sun-not worried about vampires but blood chilling as evening approached.
I was just finishing stacking the last of the precious wood when I noticed a strange glare off the kitchen wall. I went in and low and behold, the lights were on! I went from room to room and YES, each one was working. Then I darted to the thermostat and put the temp at 75! Hell, time to celebrate. I then Tweeted my joy to many, and texted friends that had been supported.I went out and shouted "Power" to the neighbors. A couple returned the call! We were feeling good.Finally.
I want to thank all of you who showed concern, compassion and love. I have a bit of mixed feelings towards those who totally ignored our discomfort but isn't that always what happens?
So, as if nothing happened, I sit at my computer, able to type easily and not worry about my cell dying and trying to find power. We just ordered chinese food and it will be good to sit at our table again, watch Shark Tank and appreciate our good fortune.
No comments:
Post a Comment