My other brother Daryl

freezing rain, snow, temps minus 6

We've fled to the Kingdom to the South. Vermont. And are huddled up in the Essex Inn and Spa. As you can see, it's a soft landing. We were actually booked to come here tomorrow, but the freezing rain kept coming, trees bowed down, power went out. And we skiddadled, which is my Olympic sport. It's actually a triathlon. Skiddadling, Massage, Gourmet meal. Followed by shopping, for those really in shape.

The problem at home, or really the final issue, was when the power went out. I must say it's a little frightening for those of us who went through the ice storm. And this is reminiscent of that. It really should not be freezing raining with temperatures this cold - but it is. An inversion of some sort. The ice has been building up for three days, and today seemed to be the tipping points, where trees started breaking. The pines along our drive had their boughs so low we could barely get the car underneath.

At the same time, it is staggeringly beautiful. A crystal world.

The contradiction we live - where the weather is both gorgeous and deadly.

So Pat and Tony are looking after the house and Trudy and we decided to come down a day early before the weather got really bad. What a relief to arrive. We assumed there was black ice under the road...not a bad assumption. Happily the freezing rain disappeared and turned into snow half way here.

The Essex Inn and Spa is actually the campus of the New England Culinary Institute. So far it is nice, the room is lovely with a fireplace...but the whole place lacks charm. However, the people (students?) seem really wonderful. I think part of the problem is the decoration isn't very inspired. Kind of drab. But the staff is warm and enthusiastic. Looking forward to trying the dinner.

Oh, it feels so good to be here!

Did a newspaper interview this morning, then Kirk and Jane came by with fabric for the living room (one we all adored but Michael didn't...we were spared having to beat him when Kirk realized the fabulous fabric was pure silk and would not survive long in our home.

Then the power went out. I realize here in Quebec we call power 'hydro' because for the most part it comes from huge power dams, water power, in the north. But someone did point out the rest of the world might not know what that means. I know in Ontario it's called hydro too...but not sure about other parts of the world. Though I'm sure you could figure it out. However, if someone said the 'wind' had gone out I'm not sure I'd conclude they had wind generated power and that's what they meant.

Sadly, the hydro went out about ten minutes before I was supposed to test the Skype for an upcoming conference call with a school. So will try for another test.

Hope you're well...will report on the Inn and Spa activities tomorrow. Have a radio interview with Shelagh Shapiro for her show 'Write the Book'...at 2pm.

Speak to you tomorrow.