Powerless

So yesterday afternoon the power went out around 4:30, but it came back on about a minute later. It was out long enough to have to reset all the clocks blinking 12:00; the stove, the microwave, the coffeemaker, etc.

But, a little after 6pm it went out and stayed out. Long enough to get out the candles and flashlights. Long enough to get out the old Princess phone and call Edsion to report the outage. Long enough to call Edison back and find out it was caused by a car accident and they have dispatched crews. Long enough to call Edison back again and remain on hold long enough to find out that you should empty helium from your party balloons because they can knock your power out if they hit your power lines and that they don't know how long the outage will last.

Long enough to sit in the dark and notice that nearly everything in your house is worthless without electricity. The television, satellite dish/box/internet. DVD Player. Lamps. Refrigerator. Freezer. Coffeemaker. Clocks. Dishwasher. Well (no water--no power for the pressure tank). Desk top PC.

Long enough to be thankful to have a wood stove and venture out in the cold night to bring in more wood and keep the fire going. Long enough to fill the oil lamps and get a fairly decent light in the room, yet wonder how people really read by these lamps before electricity.

And it was quiet. I realized how dependant I am on electricity in my daily life and how drastic it would change without it.