View from Thayne’s Corner
Hope the New Year gets better
JAN 1, 2007, RUSH CO OUTBACK-----I’m writing, Lincoln-like, pencil in hand by the fireplace in candlelight.  The amount of light produced by a single candle is quite surprising to we electronically dependent mortals.
   For many in the McCracken area the eve of New Year 2007 will have been, probably, one of the least eventful but most memorable in recent experience.  On rising the last day of the old year we were greeted by the prospect of no heat, no light, no football and no hot coffee, except for those fortunate enough to be cooking with gas, or on a charcoal grill.
   As we often said on the farm in the days when electric outages were commonplace, “We ain’t got no juice!” (the double negative implying that we had power, but reality proving otherwise.)
   Now the sun is slowly rising on this frosty morning and a cheery blaze in a seldom-used fireplace prevents hypothermia.  Breakfast will be grapefruit and a banana.  Lunch, who knows?  Probably peanut butter and some beef jerky we forgot to include in a mailed Christmas package.
   But we are fortunate.  Unlike many in other parts of the world this morning, we have some food, a tight roof and numerous layers of warm clothing.  Heat may not be the number one need for thousands in war ravaged areas, but food, clothing and shelter may be.  And that says nothing about the homeless --- 21 Century lepers --- in our own land.  My, how we take for granted those things we regard as necessities --- television, hot coffee, electric blankets, e-mail messages and weather reports on demand --- none of which has value when considering the basic needs for survival.
   The latest rumor (that default communications system) around town tells us we will be without “juice” for several days and tonight will be frigid.  I hope the van has enough gas to get this column to the warm-and-cozy newsroom in LaCrosse.
   The Eastern sky is brighter now, and my candle is burning low, as is the fire.  My wife is stirring the coals preparing to heat water.  Maybe somehow we will have hot coffee.  Please excuse any mistakes in this piece.  Writing without grammar and spell check is difficult.