Phone is through Comcast -- no cell service at the house. (Try the parking lots at Lee Circle 5 miles away.)

What an afternoon! I slept most of the day -- needed it. All the sinus cavities hurt, chest tight, have an unproductive cough. Good news is I can breathe. My brain is pretty much non-functional. And I think I'm running a fever.

Jeri picked up some expectorant and a couple packages of On-Cor mac & cheese. Bad news is she got stuck on the glare ice in the driveway. (That's why I have an AWD Subaru.) Put cat litter on the ice, it melts, as freezes on top. I'm pretty much out of cat litter and none of it has gotten into the litter boxes...

My up-the-hill neighbor gave Jeri a ride home (about 6 miles) and came back and put down some sand. Will get some more tomorrow. My regular plow person threw out his back, but is trying to call in a favor and maybe get some sand -- the oil truck (I've got 1/8 tank and bad weather is coming in Saturday night) came while Jeri was here, took one look, and gave it a miss. He'll be back later tomorrow (I hope). Yes, we've got a woodstove and firewood, but I'm really sick and Tom is in ICU and blind to boot (which is why we haven't used the stove for two winters).

The GREAT news is Tom has the ventilator out and is doing very well. He called me -- just before the power went out. (Ach! The Co-op picks the damnedest time to play around.) Okay, power back on. Talked to Tom's nurse -- he seemed to think he could go home tomorrow (wishful thinking); she says maybe next week. Not sure if that means out of the ICU or actually home. He's just been through quite a lot. (I've got to knock this thing I've got out, too.)

Well, that was a little more excitement than I really wanted, feeling like I do today. Arghhh!

Linn