We were unceremoniously awoken at mid nite last nite by a loud knocking at our front door.  This is NEVER good.  Vicki’s first inclination is to open the door which is the WORST thing you should do.  Find out who they are first, ask to see ID if you have a window.  

In our case they said they were from Xcel and needed to get into our backyard.  I still suggested to see ID but before I could Vicki darted outside - where we saw one of those HUGE Utility trucks in front which I thought was proof enough that they were legitimate.

Turns out that the recent heavy wet snow caused a tree limb to fall on the power line going to our neighbors.