Random thoughts...I have a gas stove so I am able to light it with a match if I wanted to heat something but more than likely I would just make a sandwich, grab some chips and call it dinner were I to be without electricity.
My sister game me a lantern so I can read and even charge my phone if I need to. I can carry it around with me while I light candles in my house to make it more cheery looking.
I really liked your line about turning off the screens although you need not have missed the TV show that you were planning to watch because you could have watched it on your phone.
Planned silence is a gift you can give yourself so if you want it just turn everything off.
I have an issue of getting off my recliner if the power goes off when I am sitting in it because it uses electricity to power it. So, if the electricity goes off while I have it in a reclined position, I have to pull myself out of it.
Loved the picture of your stove.
One other suggestion is that you can put yourself in a tub and have a lovely bath by candlelight.
I remember one storm when my partner was away. It was so intense I thought the windows were going to shatter. I laid under the dining table for cover with my kitty, just in case.... They can be vulnerable moments that remind us how little we are in control of in life!
I don’t mind the power going out either, I have a wood-burning fireplace. But I agree that I don’t want it out for so long that food spoils or it becomes too inconvenient. How very privileged of me. But the gift of being able to sit still in the quiet that is inside and outside the house and hear God is incomparable.
I love the absolute quiet when the power goes out. As you say, so long as I can find a way to stay warm, have food, don't get too into my thoughts, and all the rest. Thank you Sue for your thoughtful and insightful writing and the gentle descriptions of how you experience your life, and truly make the most of it.
We have had a few outages here in Marin County. The longest one was about 12 hours, with no storm in sight! I loved the quiet in the neighborhood. Since I had some powerful lanterns and plenty of battery operated tea lights, I was able to read for a while. Had enough food to get by, although I toyed with the idea of driving to a restaurant in downtown with a friend. I’m glad we didn’t do that, as wires were down in the neighborhood. Fortunately, it wasn’t cold at night, so I didn’t miss having heat on here.
The quiet is so restorative, and I yearn for more of it, but unfortunately, my neighborhood has gotten increasingly noisier over the past few years.
I know exactly where my old school rotary dial land line phone is. Works in a blackout. And heavy enough to brain an intruder when the Zombie Apocalypse comes.
Down here in Yachats the power flicked twice earlier in the afternoon. I cooked and ate before power finally did go out. NO flashlight. I tried to find my headlamp that I put somewhere safe and have yet to find...cell phone flashlight was all I had. And, miracle of miracles, I have some battery pack thing, that was charged so I could charge my cell phone without power. My fleece hat blew off my head (gone forever) and I thought the car door was going to get ripped off my car by the wind. The wind gusts, blowing sheets of rain, thrunder and lightening was something else!
My dog is terrified of thrunder so I spent most my time wrapping her in a blanket and talking calmly to her. She roamed and tried to get out the windows. I had to baraccade with bar stools the doors to 2 bedrooms and the front door so she wouldn't claw them. Exhausting for sure!
I can see that spring/summer are beautiful, but I'm returning to Portland April 1st for my 3rd summer in a neighborhood I adore. Flowering trees and wild flower front yards. I have enjoyed my stay here but miss the city.
I've not weathered a storm like that alone but I do value alone time. A big storm would add another layer. If you're ever near Dover, Delaware let me know! We have a nice spare room and bathroom!
Random thoughts...I have a gas stove so I am able to light it with a match if I wanted to heat something but more than likely I would just make a sandwich, grab some chips and call it dinner were I to be without electricity.
My sister game me a lantern so I can read and even charge my phone if I need to. I can carry it around with me while I light candles in my house to make it more cheery looking.
I really liked your line about turning off the screens although you need not have missed the TV show that you were planning to watch because you could have watched it on your phone.
Planned silence is a gift you can give yourself so if you want it just turn everything off.
I have an issue of getting off my recliner if the power goes off when I am sitting in it because it uses electricity to power it. So, if the electricity goes off while I have it in a reclined position, I have to pull myself out of it.
Loved the picture of your stove.
One other suggestion is that you can put yourself in a tub and have a lovely bath by candlelight.
Quiet is a gift and increasingly time without the internet is an even bigger gift, one I find I need to give myself a lot more often.
I remember one storm when my partner was away. It was so intense I thought the windows were going to shatter. I laid under the dining table for cover with my kitty, just in case.... They can be vulnerable moments that remind us how little we are in control of in life!
I don’t mind the power going out either, I have a wood-burning fireplace. But I agree that I don’t want it out for so long that food spoils or it becomes too inconvenient. How very privileged of me. But the gift of being able to sit still in the quiet that is inside and outside the house and hear God is incomparable.
I love the absolute quiet when the power goes out. As you say, so long as I can find a way to stay warm, have food, don't get too into my thoughts, and all the rest. Thank you Sue for your thoughtful and insightful writing and the gentle descriptions of how you experience your life, and truly make the most of it.
I feel the same way about big snowstorms: that power they have to make us pause, and listen, and hunker down. For just a little while.
We have had a few outages here in Marin County. The longest one was about 12 hours, with no storm in sight! I loved the quiet in the neighborhood. Since I had some powerful lanterns and plenty of battery operated tea lights, I was able to read for a while. Had enough food to get by, although I toyed with the idea of driving to a restaurant in downtown with a friend. I’m glad we didn’t do that, as wires were down in the neighborhood. Fortunately, it wasn’t cold at night, so I didn’t miss having heat on here.
The quiet is so restorative, and I yearn for more of it, but unfortunately, my neighborhood has gotten increasingly noisier over the past few years.
I know exactly where my old school rotary dial land line phone is. Works in a blackout. And heavy enough to brain an intruder when the Zombie Apocalypse comes.
Quiet is a gift when it’s a choice. ❤️
I have a red princess phone from the '80s that can serve the same purpose.
Down here in Yachats the power flicked twice earlier in the afternoon. I cooked and ate before power finally did go out. NO flashlight. I tried to find my headlamp that I put somewhere safe and have yet to find...cell phone flashlight was all I had. And, miracle of miracles, I have some battery pack thing, that was charged so I could charge my cell phone without power. My fleece hat blew off my head (gone forever) and I thought the car door was going to get ripped off my car by the wind. The wind gusts, blowing sheets of rain, thrunder and lightening was something else!
My dog is terrified of thrunder so I spent most my time wrapping her in a blanket and talking calmly to her. She roamed and tried to get out the windows. I had to baraccade with bar stools the doors to 2 bedrooms and the front door so she wouldn't claw them. Exhausting for sure!
I need a break from paradise...haha.
I try to remind myself how glorious it is here in the summer. Hang on, spring is coming.
I can see that spring/summer are beautiful, but I'm returning to Portland April 1st for my 3rd summer in a neighborhood I adore. Flowering trees and wild flower front yards. I have enjoyed my stay here but miss the city.
That sounds good to me right now. Portland has a lot to offer. It's all good.
I've not weathered a storm like that alone but I do value alone time. A big storm would add another layer. If you're ever near Dover, Delaware let me know! We have a nice spare room and bathroom!
Thank you, JH. I truly appreciate the offer.
I'm an ocean away in Australia, a couple of hours inland from the east coast.
Our summer storms sweep in from the west at the end of a hot day (like today) and sometimes carry on into the night.
I love to open the doors and windows and breath deeply. Such an incredible sensory experience and a release from the oppressive heat .
This, and cuddling my dogs , making sure they're OK. 🩵
Sounds wonderful!