What a bizarre storm! Wind, sleet, snow, sleet, wind; trees and power lines down everywhere, except for in our yard. We had just one power flicker and were otherwise unscathed--most likely because Tom had already cut down a couple of failing maples earlier this fall. But people all over town are still without power, and I have seen many photos of trees blocking roads. The worst story I have heard is from an acquaintance who was trapped in an ambulance between two sets of downed power lines while trying to get her son into Bangor for an emergency appendectomy. (Thankfully, they got him into surgery just in time, and he will be fine.)

I am glad we got this storm out of the way before Tuesday. We're dealing with one of those every-single-vote-counts governor's races, though why anyone would even consider voting to reelect the nation's most embarrassing governor is beyond me. Meanwhile, the Democrat and the Independent, who are more or less the same boring guy dressed in slightly different ties, risk canceling one another out, though the Independent has mentioned that his followers should feel free to vote for someone else if they think he can't win . . . which he can't. This race is like a dull headache that won't go away. I'd like to think that Governor Loudmouth's Christie-esque hijinx with that sassy Fort Kent nurse did him some damage, but an irrational fear of illness doesn't follow party lines. I have heard more than one liberal say, "Well, to give him credit, you can't be too careful," which by the way is bullshit, because you can be too careful and end up damaging not only individual lives and reputations but also the necessary and heroic response of specialists among people who really are living in terror.

I hope your state is in a better mood than mine is.