Ok I know most of us have moved past this discussion but in Edward's last post he expressed some concern (still) about how this bug may affect him and his ferrets. So I figured I'd contribute to this one. Luckily, this will be happening in January. Better for the ferrets - they can handle the cold much better than they can the heat - and they are ways to keep warm without electricity or gas. Fireplaces are wonderful. If you are concerned about whether you will experience a problem with this bug causing power outages - plan for it.... - Call your power company and ask them what they are doing to be year 2000 compliant. - Call the hospitals and ask them what they are doing. - Put pressure on companies that aren't doing anything. - Look at alternative companies that are compliant. - Buy firewood. - Buy a propane stove and some propane. - Get a large cooler that you could keep out in the snow to refrigerate food. - Stock up on food supplies that have a long shelf life (do it now before retailers take advantage of panic and jack up the prices). - Save your milk cartons and put water in them. - Buy candles. - Have warm blankets. Come on folks - ferrets were around a long time before computers and electricity. If you plan you can manage a worst case scenario. Sure, it won't be comfortable and convenient but we can do it. Beth, Minerva & Frumpstiggle the marsh wiggle (they aren't mad at me any more :) ) of Denver, CO [Posted in FML issue 2369]