It lasted from O Dark Thirty until 8:30 p.m. Yes, it got cold, but compared to what people have gone through lately in Hurricane Sandy and other disasters, it wasn't that big of a deal.
I had dozens of presents to wrap, and this afternoon had to be "it." So I brought downstairs three candles, one lantern, and several flashlights to the faithful pingpong table that has been Wrap Central for 25 years. Like a determined prairie woman improvising out of necessity, I wrapped all afternoon in the semi-darkness. It was kind of fun, and definitely a first. I amused myself by making up silly new lyrics to my favorite Christmas carols: "Yet in thy dark basement shineth the everlasting Light. . . ."
