Thanks all...and the good news is, of course, we have power! I was *very* surprised, based on the updates we were receiving several times daily from local fire officials, to have my power back on so soon. My particular town in NH was one of the hardest hit, and as of this morning on about 50% of the town of roughly 34,000 people had power.
Not sure, of course, when school will be back in session. It's funny, because you don't think about it, but it's not so much if the schools all have power (which, as of yesterday, they didn't) but that also officials have to consider whether they can get buses down roads to pick up and drop off students.
Still, most people here are being troopers about everything. The craziest thing I've seen so far has been my trip to the laundromat. Of course, no one has power, it's been five days...you could hardly get in the place, and people were practically going after each other, fighting over an open dryer.
Regardless, everyone's been great. The Red Cross runs the shelter we've been staying at, and, with some extra help (food by the Salvation Army and NH Food Bank, and 17-24 year olds coming in to play games and keep the kids occupied), it hasn't been any rougher than going camping. In fact, it probably has been easier. The particular shelter we've stayed in, the gym of a local high school, was set up as a regional shelter. There are showers, a couple of TVs, and snacks and drinks available most any time. The governor has visited a few times, and local and state officials (firefighters, human services) have stopped by daily to help anyone they can. There is a full-time nurse on duty at the center as well. Overall, I've been extremely impressed with the disaster response efforts.
Anyway, I wanted to give a quick update before I attempt to clean out my refrigerator/freezer and send the one dead fish to the swirly bowl in the sky...
Thanks again!