Great OP as always, sheshe.

Mind if I ruminate a little on the historical context front?

'White' has classically (oh my, a pun!) meant the same as 'dominant' or 'superior', not really a skin color. Hardly a hundred years ago many melanin-challenged immigrants from western Europe were not socially much less legally considered 'white'. That designation was reserved for melanin-challenged members of the RULING CLASS. For instance a lot of people don't seem to know about (at least not understand) the 'No Irish Need Apply' signs and attitudes, much of the latter persisting even today. I won't go into exhaustive detail here, but just in my own personal experience I can verify that truth. I could also recommend viewing of an excellent documentary, 'The Irish in America'.

Circling back to the OP's original point: Yes, 'white America' does need to be reminded that others matter. I've been so upset over this growing attitude that it's open season on blacks, especially the kids. What did Michael Dunn say? "He can't talk to me that way!" That was a class-based murderous rage.

Much as I generally loved the old b&w Perry Mason tv series, I cringed when one character complimented another by saying, "That's awfully white of you." Acceptable on tv in the '50s and still ingrained in what passes for heart and mind in much of the country. Not so long ago at the library, two women walked past me, obviously deep in a political conversation. One sympathized with the other; "I know, honey... he's not white like us, is he?" Gee, who could they have meant?

So anyone who doesn't think White America needs a wakeup call is living in a narcissistic fantasy world.

If you persist in thinking that the life situation of one person is all about YOU,

that is navel-gazing hubris on the hoof. There are none so blind as those who refuse to see.

You're just stirring the pot. I wouldn't bet on your feelings really being hurt, not that you should be mollycoddled anyway. Are you having fun yet, insulting others and openly declaring their motives and observations so far beneath your own? It shows, pal... it shows.

I cook a lot, partly because I garden.

Started reading cookbooks for fun at an early age.

Just to mention one dish: Mediterranean rice. Cook your rice as desired: While it's hot, add plenty of soy sauce, toasted almonds, fruit, and black currants. You really can't go wrong unless you burn the rice. When out of soy sauce once, I just threw in some s&s. Sorta like gumbo - needs certain things but blesses creativity. Thinking of gumbo, the commercially prepared stuff is ridiculous. They'll offer rice and shrimp if you're lucky, okra if you even luckier. Real gumbo takes at least 3 different kinds of meat, seafood, and all sorts of veggies. I used to catch crayfish barehanded to throw in my gumbo.

I caught your OP title several days ago but couldn't handle it then.

Short but moving tribute. While I never soldiered, I come from a military family and lived at least the first 2/3 of my life as an Army brat, then Army wife. Got some idea of what goes on. It can be tough all around. Though it was made during WWII, John Huston's film 'Let There Be Light' applies today. I'd suggest it to anyone interested in seeing an in-depth study.

I actually do that daily, or something similar.

But it's nowhere near effective as a good hot soak. I know I'm being silly by fretting or pouting or whatever's going on. But I'm not a survivalist by nature although I know how. I'm a spoiled townie now. At this point I'd take that big tub over chocolate! I want my MTV!

Thanks, that's what I should've done. But when I did go out today, I was so anxious

I forgot to buy those items! They will go into my permanent emergency supply cabinet next week, though. Since the trap (under the house) in the exit pipe for my washing machine in the laundry room freezes over for nearly a week every winter, even when the rest of the house is okay, I just plopped down $150 for a brand new Magic Chef portable washer to keep in the kitchen. This bump in the road town just got a surplus store! So most winters, I think, I'll be able to wash clothes almost anytime I'm damned good and ready. Unless the mains freeze again, and longtime residents claim they never did before. I don't mind doing all my own work, but it makes me cranky when I can't.

I love the Magic Chef brand anyway. They're the real manufacturers of several much costlier high-end brands - which are really just a Magic Chef under the hood.

Thanks. It does help to keep things in perspective.

The reason I don't melt snow as you did is because I'm almost 68 and my bathtub is upstairs. Even if I could do all that, it would be dangerous carrying hot water up those steep stairs. They're so steep and narrow that it's the main reason other people didn't buy this house before me, and it was a real steal. So I don't complain about the stairs even though I can't lug bathwater up them either.

This morning before my ride came to take me on errands, I did the best I could with baby wipes and witch hazel poured on a washcloth. I'm thinking about trying to use a weak solution of rubbing alcohol to clean my scalp and hair next time if there is a next time.

Meanwhile I donated my heating pad to the intake pipes under the kitchen sink. Some day the water WILL return.

Congratulations!

Sorry to hear that. Hope all's well now.

If you ever lose running water again, you might try the kitty litter version of a compost toilet. Easier on the back than hauling water, and what works for cats....

I try to take care of my friends.

Wonder if I should wear a sandwich board tomorrow warning people? I thought of spraying myself with chocolate scented Febreeze, or is that a little too much?