KATHY JOHNSON wrote in a message to ALL:
 KJ> THEN, on the first day of spring, a big snow/sleet storm
 KJ> hit, and we spent two days (actually 36 hours) with no
 KJ> power--and no heat (in 5 degree weather). We couldn't
 KJ> evacuate the birds, because every place I COULD have taken
 KJ> 15 birds and a big dog was also without power and heat. So
 KJ> we had to stay here and try to keep'em warm.
 KJ> Fortunately our gas stove still worked. We baked things
 KJ> constantly to keep the house as warm as we could. I know,
 KJ> bad bird mommy, carbon monoxide danger and all that -- we
Kathy,
Saw this and thought I'd pass on some info that I discovered.  Like you (and 
probably most everyone else) I would have faced the same problem if the 
electricity went off for an extended period of time during the winter.  But, 
I have discovered that there is a possible alternative to the problem.  There 
are now on the market a new type of add-on gas fireplaces (natural gas and 
propane) that burn with such high efficiency (greater than 99%) that they do 
not even need to be vented to the outside.  I've checked around here and they 
sell for between $300-500, depending on how fancy an installation you want 
(free standing-built in-flat to the wall or corner with nice mantles, etc.).  
One would be enough to heat a decent sized room and help avoid the danger of 
anyone freezing to death.  I'm seriously considering it for here.  This past 
winter brought us a couple severe ice storms that took out some people's 
electricity for 5 to as much as 10 days(!).
Peace 
 Fr. Joe and the Flock 
 
--- timEd/2 1.01
---------------