Time to snowrake the roof after years of not needing to
We’re tired - The cold rain started to fall late Saturday, Dec. 21, just as many of us were headed into full-on Christmas celebration mode. As the ice began to build, power lines snapped, roads turned to glass and trees crashed down on houses and cars.
If you are one of the tens of thousands who also saw their lights flicker and die, chances are your immediate thought was, “I just hope this won’t last long.” But for many, the dark days dragged on - two, three, four - for some, nine days, then 10, 11 or 12.
People who never thought they would need a generator struggled to find one to buy. Folks on tight budgets struggled to pay the $50 a day to fuel them. In some neighborhoods, people stood guard to make sure their generators weren’t stolen.
Some desperate folks risked their lives, knowingly or unknowingly, by sparking the fireplace that hadn’t been used in years or using a gas stove, kerosene heater and candles for heat or light.
For many residents and local shopkeepers, this became the Christmas that wasn’t.
Just as that trauma lifted, a huge snowstorm hit, bringing a foot or more of snow. Walkways and driveways needed constant clearing. The eagerly awaited snowplow was a mixed blessing, offering the hope you could get out - after you cleared the new pile of snow it dumped at the end of your drive.
As we were slip-sliding down the snowy road to take our dog Lemmy on an unexpected trip to the vet, my otherwise upbeat husband turned to me and warned through clenched teeth, “Don’t - just don’t - say ‘but the snow sure is pretty.’”
Then the Polar Vortex hit, with wind chills dipping to -35 and lower. Even if you made it through icepocalypse unscathed, sub-zero temperatures meant overtaxed furnaces sputtered and failed. Water pipes would freeze and burst and drain pipes stopped working.
Some folks were told they had to find a way to get to work, while others faced unexpected vacation. Many places waited until the last moment to make an announcement, adding to the uncertainty.
We all tried to pull together, but nerves were fraying. Kids alternately over-amped or bored silly during Christmas vacation unexpectedly found themselves with even more time as schools closed for two or three additional days. One friend said he was tempted to send them to school anyhow.
Rising temps should mean we are almost back to “normal” (whatever that is), but instead my drive is now a slippery, slushy mess.
When I arrived home after class yesterday, I made dinner and then collapsed, pulling the covers over my head. I hunkered deep into my new comforter where it was toasty and warm, dozing on and off until dawn.
We are less than two weeks into winter. Wake me up when it’s spring.
Leadership matters - Our business-bubble Governor Rick Snyder and ill-tempered Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero failed the leadership test, either by their absence, indifference or both. Even worse, BWL General Manager J. Peter Lark tried to hide the fact he left town to spend Christmas Eve in New York City, making him the only person capable of making me feel warm and fuzzy thoughts toward Consumers Energy.
Lark’s tone-deaf pr henchman Steve Serkaian continues to give crisis communications a bad name. Why in the world would you alienate customers by shoving them aside to put Tim Barron, Lansing’s bad answer to Rush Limbaugh, first on the list of speakers at the “community forum” last Tuesday?
Their failings seemed even more stark in comparison to the steady and sure efforts of (now former) Lansing City Council President Carol Wood and East Lansing Mayor Nathan Triplett. Both kept up a steady stream of information about what was happening, focused on issues that mattered to real people.
Meanwhile the egotistical Bernero and Lark portray themselves as victims who are being unfairly criticized. Puh-leeze.
We are two societies, rich and poor - At the Bernero/Lark presser Saturday, Dec. 28, the affluent in the audience were quick to offer to pay - let us hire extra crews! Facebook postings showed that many people moved into area hotels and motels for the duration. On the other end of the economic spectrum were folks who worried about finding money to feed their kids since the power outage caused the food in the fridge to spoil.
The inequality grows more glaring. The disparity in power does, too.
Anxiety is the new normal - Are the lights on? Is the furnace still running? Can I get out of the driveway? Will the dog be willing to go outside and pee? Have the pipes burst? Do I have enough coffee (bread, milk, TP)? What if there’s an emergency - will the police/ambulance/fire department be able to help me?
Forgive me if I still don’t feel secure.
We’re tough - Nervous though we may be, Michiganders soldier on. Most of us are pretty damn good about taking care of each other. Those who had heat and lights invited in friends and family who didn’t. Lots of folks I know made coffee, cocoa, cookies and even a pasta dinner for the power company line workers who were the true heroes.
I often feel the media hype feelgood stories when we should focus on fixing problems. But I was struck by how many people were quick to pitch in.
We all know that this winter signals that it is time for serious debate on how to cope as climate change means extreme weather events will become the norm, not the exception. Michigan is one of the lucky states that have water, which means more folks will probably want to come here for it. We are probably overdue to engage in thoughtful discussions, but for now, I need to figure out how to deal with my icy driveway.
Let’s talk again come spring.
