Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter

CAT Tracks for February 14, 2008 MUTHA NATURE

After getting the word yesterday afternoon that school had been called off, decided to venture forth and "check it out".

You don't have to drive very far to see a very different world...like ten miles north.

A LOT of broken limbs, uprooted trees, and downed power lines. Cairo was VERY lucky indeed.

(Of course, one could readily argue that Cairo was long overdue for a break!)

Have it on good authority - straight from the horse's (owner's) mouth - that there are CATs out there that can definitely relate to the story below.

Trust me...you don't want to go to school with these ornery CATS. Giving them Thursday off, will allow them to (hopefully) attend to their grooming.

Anna Family Faces Challenges of Living Without Electricity

An Anna, Illinois family of seven is coping without electricity. There are five children in the Taylor home, with one on the way. The ice storm put a screeching halt to the usual hum at their home. They have been without power since Tuesday morning.

"You kind of feel alienated. We know we're not. We know there's people who're suffering the same thing we're going through," said Maurice Taylor.

No power means no well pump, and that means no water. So the five kids have to think ahead before using the bathroom. Until the power comes back on, they have to melt ice, before they flush. They've already melted 20 gallons of ice. The family's new refrigerator is the front porch, a few boxes outside. The children love it, to them this is a big adventure, thanks in part to their parents.

The family has a wood burning stove that provides heat--the elements will preserve their food and candles and light.

Maurice Taylor adds, "Can't shave. You know it's hard to brush your teeth and things like that. I mean you make do."