Hi Everyone,
In my last newsletter, I mentioned that there was a mean storm coming, but I didn’t realize it was going to be mean to me (LOL). The heavy snow they originally predicted didn’t materialize–we only got about two inches–but then it turned to sleet and especially freezing rain for over the next 24 hours. And with increasing cold. We often assume that if the temp is below freezing, we’ll get snow, and that is usually the case, but with this storm, there was a layer of warm air above the cold air on the ground, so the snow melted coming down from the clouds as it hit the warmer air, then re-froze as sleet, or hit the ground (and the snow on the ground) as rain, and immediately froze. We had between a half to three quarters of an inch of ice, and anything over a half inch can cause trees to fall on power lines, making them snap, which is what happened.
My power went out sometime before dawn on Sunday, Jan. 24th, and did not come back until yesterday (Sunday) around noon. I slept at home the first night, and despite adding more and more layers, it was almost unbearably cold. The next day (Monday), my thermostat was showing 45 degrees around lunch time, and I know it must have been even colder overnight. Fortunately, my friend Caroline offered to put me up Monday Night (Probably the coldest night), and when I checked my home the next day, it was 38 degrees inside, and hovered between 38 and 43 degrees for the rest of the week.
My friend Gary let me stay at his place the next 5 nights, which was better for me, because he lives one neighborhood over, so I was able to go home twice a day to monitor the situation. I had the hot and cold faucets running freely (I have found that dripping or even trickling, can subside over a few hours, so I couldn’t take a chance on anything less than a stream of water). Thirty eight/thirty nine degrees is probably no warmer than my fridge–I can’t sleep in it either (LOL), so I was grateful for Gary’s graciousness. Each time I checked, the water was running, but power was off. Finally, yesterday (Sunday), power came back, but my place warmed slowly. It took nearly 12 hours to go from 39 degrees to 64, and that’s still pretty chilly. So after a week, I finally got to sleep in my own bed. Yes, Dorothy, “There’s no place like home.”
I want to thank everyone who offered me a place to stay during the past week, and I sure hope our electric company, NES, will be a lot more prepared in the future!!!!!
Meanwhile, this Friday, Feb. 6th, CSLN will be hosting our first Coffeehouse since we moved into our new building, and I am proud to be one of our three Spotlight Performers, doing a 25-30 minute set of original material. The other two Spotlight Performers will be the lovely and talented Ashley Welte , who has performed several times at Sunday Services, and for the first time, A.J. Bigler, the Leader of the Coffeehouse (I am just the MC and his “co-leader–he’s da man”), who performs regularly around the Nashville Writers Night Circuit, and has some really cool original tunes and independent cuts.
I am pasting a flyer below, but here is the pertinent info in text:
Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, From 6:30 – 8:30
Please join us in the Main Hall, for a night of entertainment, snacks, and fellowship.
Sign up for Open Mic is at 6 p.m.
Open Mic 6:30 – 7 P.M. (Seven slots available) Original songs, poems, short stories, stand-up comedy. (Please limit your presentation to 5 minutes).
Spotlight Performers at 7 p.m., 7:30, and 8 p.m.
GORDON ELLIS
ASHLEE WELTE
A.J. BIGLER
Potluck snacks and drinks and love offering to CSLN appreciated.
CENTER FOR SPIRITUAL LIVING 160 BELLE FOREST CIRCLE., NASHVILLE, 37221
Questions? AJ Bigler: [email protected]
Gordon Ellis: [email protected]
Finally, our new Minister John Adams will be leading his first service this Sunday, Feb. 8, at 10:30. You will love his authenticity and humor!
That’s it for now. Stay warm, be safe, be well, be you!
Gordon