When we lived on the ranch in Wyoming we had to haul our water which wasn't too tough except in the winter. Towing a 250 gallon tank behind the Subaru still wasn't too bad unless we hit a huge snowdrift. The last year we were there they put in water lines, but they accidentally cut our natural gas line, so we went to all wood and paper rolls heat in a stove we bought from Monkey Ward. Our bedroom at the far end got pretty cold, but we had a heated water bed so it wasn't too bad.

Losing utilities there was expected and an adventure if it didn't go on too long. We were young and the kids thought it was kewl. When we moved to New England and lost power a few times due to hurricanes, it scared me a lot more. I think because I saw what could happen in a congested area like that. I used to think if they ordered a mass evac. we'd get to the stables somehow and go cross country on Rue's horse 'cause I didn't see how they'd ever get all of the people out on the highways. It would be a mass traffic jam.

Sorry for digressing, Ebbie. Seems to me the state or power company or somebody should pay the extra instead of you and others.

kat