rolling with the punches

i came home from the chiropractor's feeling particularly virtuous yesterday. i had accomplished a great deal, i had a plan of attack for my next round of projects. that was before i listened to the message my sister left.

i only listened to half of it before i picked up the phone. apparently, the snow-ice-rain line was to our north and west, and the ice hit my sister's area badly. she and her family had lost power at some point in the night, losing not only electricity, but water - because their water pump runs on electricity - as well.

awful, perhaps, but not horrible, until she said to me, "you didn't listen to the whole message, did you?"

well, no, i confessed. i was so concerned about her, about the possiblity that we perhaps might not be able to have dinner with her the following day as plannned... of course i had simply picked up the phone and called.

mommy's coming to your house, said sheila.

she is?! i said, after my jaw dropped on the floor.

she can't come here, said sheila.

why can't she come another weekend? i asked.

because she made plans, nanny, answered my sister patiently. you know how she is about her plans.

i do, indeed.

so unless the powers that be at the power company in massachusetts have miraculously made the the lights turn on, it is more than likely that instead of being treated to a special celebration birthday dinner for libby's 15th birthday tomorrow...

i'll be cooking it instead.

and furthermore, the war must end. blessed be.