The power at my house went off at 8:47 AM on January 25th. Overnight, freezing rain and sleet had turned into a coat of ice on every outdoor thing in my county...
Snowmagheddon in Austin Texas. The inside of my house was 40 or less degrees for 3 days. Im sure that sounds warm to those of you who live in the north. But the ice made it impossible to leave the house and suburban means no tractors.
I truly love your story, how it flows, what it tells me. I loved your story from Walking in the Dark, when you walked off the pier? I met you in 2016,and soon after, found the courage to leave "the Church", realizing that the Church is people, not buildings, and without hierarchy. This story describes what I would call, real Church, which might be just a community of people, looking out for each other. Where the "work" of helping is sacred but not overplayed. The work of community is its own reward.
The silence of those few days, without power, resentment brain and my heart, but the darkness was sweet: no "synthetic electricity" trying to interrupt my blood cells from doing their job. No noise from wires that permeate my house. In the first moments, it was relief, my tension left me. But similar thoughts about living without electricity did hit me, too. How creative, how intrepid, those people were, to live (yes, I romanticized them immediately), to not need technology.
BUT...yes, I will read their words in a different way now. Thank you for that reminder.
I’m in Austin also. Our neighborhood activated right away. Those with vehicles transported elderly to safe places, circled the neighborhood with vehicles to charge phones, delivered water and kept us from feeling so alone. The following year was the ice storm that destroyed the trees. Again, Dads Club activated in the neighborhood to cut up tree limbs and stack them for pickup for those of us unable to do so ourselves. And would take no payment. We very much live in the city. Neighbors still exist here too. I have no desire to experience it again. But it was a special five days of connection with neighbors I still have yet to meet.
We’re a little less urban, living on an acre in Georgetown (TX). We selected this setting because of the 100+ oak trees and the concomitant array of animal life. Barbara’s description of the sound of ice laden trees yielding limbs was spot on. It was a sickening feeling. And oh how I worried for the tiny fawns and their families! The little things became comforts. Like the propane stovetop, allowing us to boil water for hot tea and coffee. Neighbors clearing out their freezers, serving all variety of BBQ gratis. And what a light show when the electricity returned! I hadn’t realized how automatically we flip switches, though there was no electricity to power them.
I grew up in Oklahoma, AKA "Tornado Alley." We were used to the chaos, but the randomness of destruction was always discombobulating. I know about this kinship with folks down the road. Whether it was searching for a lost cat, a prized family album, or repairing a demolished cattle corral, people ya hardly knew often appeared outta nowhere to offer their unscathed house for a hot shower and a cold glass of sweet tea.
I live in Minneapolis now. Stories of our kinship here are now legendary. Our collective efforts to provide mutual aid are often saved for the last few minutes of news broadcasts as the "And now for something good in the world" feature.
I pray we all see the fragility of this thin place we live in. I thank you for always helping us to see that even in the darkest places, there is always a light to be found.
What a gift you are. Thank you for walking this mysterious road with us. Deep bows🙏🏼
I’ve always loved the camaraderie felt in our old Neighborhood when we had the shared experience of no power. Nothing like a group of strangers feeling we are all in this together. Thank you for writing this so Beautifully.
Yesterday, 2-23-26, we had a historic blizzard in Rhode Island...at 37.9 inches of snow, it broke the record for snow accumulation in the state. I'm having knee replacement surgery tomorrow. The neighbors know and several of them helped my husband to clear our driveway--one other neighbor plowed our road to Main Street, so I can get to the hospital in the morning. I'm feeling so grateful and I want to pay them back, but no one will take any $ for their efforts. They all have the same answer, "It's what neighbors do. We help each other out." I feel all glowy inside.
Oh! We had an ice storm in Maine, 1995, that lasted for 4 days. The way you described the sound was perfect! Bombs! We were without power for 9 days. And yes, it was a time to remember! Neighbors cutting trees. Our three sons and husband went around to people’s homes.
My sister who didn’t have heart came to put her 4 foot iguana by our wood stove. It mesmerized our cat while trying to hit it with his tail!
What a lovely piece on your neighbors, a needul reminder of the goodness that comes out sometimes. Here is SW Ohio, the weather hasn't been as bad, but we've had more snow. Two people cleared my driveway and wouldn't let me pay them. I'm grateful for indoor plumbing and central heat more than ever.
Snowmagheddon in Austin Texas. The inside of my house was 40 or less degrees for 3 days. Im sure that sounds warm to those of you who live in the north. But the ice made it impossible to leave the house and suburban means no tractors.
I truly love your story, how it flows, what it tells me. I loved your story from Walking in the Dark, when you walked off the pier? I met you in 2016,and soon after, found the courage to leave "the Church", realizing that the Church is people, not buildings, and without hierarchy. This story describes what I would call, real Church, which might be just a community of people, looking out for each other. Where the "work" of helping is sacred but not overplayed. The work of community is its own reward.
The silence of those few days, without power, resentment brain and my heart, but the darkness was sweet: no "synthetic electricity" trying to interrupt my blood cells from doing their job. No noise from wires that permeate my house. In the first moments, it was relief, my tension left me. But similar thoughts about living without electricity did hit me, too. How creative, how intrepid, those people were, to live (yes, I romanticized them immediately), to not need technology.
BUT...yes, I will read their words in a different way now. Thank you for that reminder.
I am glad you are safe.
I am glad that your family and pets are fine.
I am glad you have good neighbors.
Keep writing.
We need your words.
I’m in Austin also. Our neighborhood activated right away. Those with vehicles transported elderly to safe places, circled the neighborhood with vehicles to charge phones, delivered water and kept us from feeling so alone. The following year was the ice storm that destroyed the trees. Again, Dads Club activated in the neighborhood to cut up tree limbs and stack them for pickup for those of us unable to do so ourselves. And would take no payment. We very much live in the city. Neighbors still exist here too. I have no desire to experience it again. But it was a special five days of connection with neighbors I still have yet to meet.
We’re a little less urban, living on an acre in Georgetown (TX). We selected this setting because of the 100+ oak trees and the concomitant array of animal life. Barbara’s description of the sound of ice laden trees yielding limbs was spot on. It was a sickening feeling. And oh how I worried for the tiny fawns and their families! The little things became comforts. Like the propane stovetop, allowing us to boil water for hot tea and coffee. Neighbors clearing out their freezers, serving all variety of BBQ gratis. And what a light show when the electricity returned! I hadn’t realized how automatically we flip switches, though there was no electricity to power them.
“It’s what neighbors do,”
said Eli, from Barbara’s ‘hood.
‘Neighbor’ verb becomes.
...
To ‘neighbor,’ show up
bring bread, saws, snow shovels, shawls.
When asked for, sugar.
Neighbor is a verb! “To become close” says I.
https://radicalneighboring.substack.com/p/neighbor-is-a-verb
Thanks for this! Just subscribed*
In resonance: https://marisolmunozkiehne.substack.com/p/noble-neighboring-nourishing-news
Reminds me of Hurricane Helene and how our neighbors all came together to help each other which was later expanded to helping the larger community.
"That's what neighbors do" is 2026. From Minnesota with love.
I grew up in Oklahoma, AKA "Tornado Alley." We were used to the chaos, but the randomness of destruction was always discombobulating. I know about this kinship with folks down the road. Whether it was searching for a lost cat, a prized family album, or repairing a demolished cattle corral, people ya hardly knew often appeared outta nowhere to offer their unscathed house for a hot shower and a cold glass of sweet tea.
I live in Minneapolis now. Stories of our kinship here are now legendary. Our collective efforts to provide mutual aid are often saved for the last few minutes of news broadcasts as the "And now for something good in the world" feature.
I pray we all see the fragility of this thin place we live in. I thank you for always helping us to see that even in the darkest places, there is always a light to be found.
What a gift you are. Thank you for walking this mysterious road with us. Deep bows🙏🏼
I’m reminded of your writing about the dark….✨✨✨
I’ve always loved the camaraderie felt in our old Neighborhood when we had the shared experience of no power. Nothing like a group of strangers feeling we are all in this together. Thank you for writing this so Beautifully.
Just one of the best articles on community I've ever read!
Yesterday, 2-23-26, we had a historic blizzard in Rhode Island...at 37.9 inches of snow, it broke the record for snow accumulation in the state. I'm having knee replacement surgery tomorrow. The neighbors know and several of them helped my husband to clear our driveway--one other neighbor plowed our road to Main Street, so I can get to the hospital in the morning. I'm feeling so grateful and I want to pay them back, but no one will take any $ for their efforts. They all have the same answer, "It's what neighbors do. We help each other out." I feel all glowy inside.
Wonderful comment… I'm in MA and we ‘only’ had 22”. But two neighbors dug out my car this am and I was so grateful.
Best wishes for you surgery. I'm sure you will be happy you did it!
Oh! We had an ice storm in Maine, 1995, that lasted for 4 days. The way you described the sound was perfect! Bombs! We were without power for 9 days. And yes, it was a time to remember! Neighbors cutting trees. Our three sons and husband went around to people’s homes.
My sister who didn’t have heart came to put her 4 foot iguana by our wood stove. It mesmerized our cat while trying to hit it with his tail!
I was almost sad when we got our power back!
Preacher, your story reminds us of what "Love thy neighbor" means…without exception🫶
No mention of politics….it didn’t matter. 💙❤️
Wonderful story!
I love your writing, Barbara. And in reading you, I am becoming a better writer.
"Electricity has been around for ninety years or so, but those three chairs have been around a lot longer, and the power in them never goes out."
Amen...beautiful...thank you.
What a lovely piece on your neighbors, a needul reminder of the goodness that comes out sometimes. Here is SW Ohio, the weather hasn't been as bad, but we've had more snow. Two people cleared my driveway and wouldn't let me pay them. I'm grateful for indoor plumbing and central heat more than ever.