We have been out of commission all week as we had no electricity for four days. We have a small generator that helped with a space heater or two to keep pipes from freezing but that was about it. Phone lines and internet are still out. There is a lot of tree damage due to the heavy ice coating everything. The average temperature in the house hung around 52 degrees. We probably burned over a rick of wood in the fireplace since we had it burning 24/7. No refrigerator, or cooking possibilities not to mention  television, hot water or lights.  You should always make sure you should have an ample supply of batteries, candles and flashlights and know where they are because when it goes black you have no warning. Now we know why the pioneers barely lived past their thirties.  We are hoping this will all melt this week so we can begin the clean up.  I was told by the youngest daughter that now we have hot water again I should shave my face. What do you think? Looking forward to some relief after this next cold snap. They missed the whole week at Oaklawn Park due to a frozen track. The forecast is for more wintry mix over the next two days and then hopefully a warm up. The horses have weathered it better than the humans.