I finally got to read the last two issues of The E-Sylum, delayed by ourvisitor Sandy here in Putnam County, N.Y., until yesterday (Nov.17). The storm arrived literally with a bang, actually three blasts, onthe evening of that Monday. Transformers blew but it sounded more likea visit from Al-Qaida. We were without electricity, meaning heat,light, Email, COFFEE until late Friday of hurricane week.

When Irene visited last year we had summer weather, not this year... Trainservice was suspended Sunday before the storm, massive tree damageblocked roads all through the area though we only lost one evergreen.Irene took most of the likely candidates 14 months earlier.

No telephones but cell phones, making finding a place to plug in thechargers a top priority. Miracle: no water in the basement! Last yearfour feet. No way to reach my offices at Heritage or the AmericanNumismatic Society. Though troubled by power outage, ANS literally"towered above the tide."

Friday was the regular meeting of the NewYork Numismatic Club with scheduled speaker Greg Rohan, President ofHeritage. Our regular restaurant was now an indoor pool, butmiraculously a replacement was found and 30 attended the meeting, gladto be out, in light, and with COFFEE!!! In times of disaster coffeebecomes one of the most desperately need basic food groups!

My railroad chose Friday afternoon to resume service from the end of theline at Southeast to Grand Central. When I got to the restaurant(having continued recharging my phone on the Metro North train), thephone went off with a joyful screech from my wife Pat, "Who left thelights on!!!" Click, dead again, but we obviously had power! Crews oflinemen and trucks the size of the Titanic had come up the hill in theafternoon, the truck announcing TORONTO! Lots of great help from allover the U.S. and Canada. Life resumed more or less normally on Mondaythe following week.

Remember the old slogan, "May you live in interesting times!"

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:U.S. NUMISMATISTS WEATHER SUPERSTORM SANDY(www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v15n46a02.html)