As I sit in darkness on day two with no power, the rooster’s crow tells me morning is near.

I’ve decided to reflect on a few lessons learned:

• Owning a generator is smart. Housing it in the barn is not. (Note to self; immediately after snow melts, relocate generator to basement during winter months.)

• Best investment from my remodel was propane. A natural gas cooktop and propane starters in the fireplaces made this time tolerable.

• Candles have a purpose aside from decor.

• A French press is a godsend. Having a backup bag of ground beans is smart and when necessary, black coffee is bearable.

• Tea cozies and hot water bottles work wonders when temperatures dip down low.

• Do not skimp on batteries or matches, and note that “rechargeable” batteries need electricity to work and butane lighters run out at the worst time.

• A box of wine becomes a luxury over a few days of isolation (thanks to dinner guests’ pre-storm for leaving).

• The people who check in on you aren’t always who you’d expect.

• Having extra jars and containers of water for multiple purposes is wise.

• Being super hydrated becomes an issue in a snowsuit and multiple layers when tending to farm animals.

• NOT flushing is harder than it sounds…

• Old issues of TDB make great fire starter for the wood burning stove.

As inconvenient as this storm may have been, it certainly put into perspective simpler times for me. We live in such abundance these days.

Slowing down to enjoy the quiet, taking time to pray and be thankful for all we have and take in the beauty of my surroundings certainly helped me welcome the true Christmas spirit.

Mindy Wiener, Tryon