Today was quite adventurous and bit nerve wracking. This large stand of Douglas Fir trees sit directly behind our home. From our upstairs office the view of the trees is majestic and calming. One of the things I love most about our yard. Eagles, woodpeckers, squirrels, deer and just about any and all critters call it home and we always pause to take in the show.
Just after lunch today, Susan and I were working downstairs and could feel the wind pick up outside. The kind of gust that shakes the windows in the house. The lights flickered and next went the power. That is not at all unusual. The conversation just turns to how long you think ‘this one’ will last. As the trees were swaying and the tree we lost continued making an amazingly loud cracking sound, Susan made it to her car and quickly exited down the driveway.
I spent the afternoon organizing and cleaning. I then lit the burners on our propane fueled stove and made an incredibly tasty new recipe by candlelight. The lights came back on at 9:00 tonight, always a bittersweet event. I no longer have to worry that we can’t print orders in the morning or that all the food in the refrigerator will go bad.
8 hours without power. Given how we all behaved you would have thought it was a month. We kept joking that we didn’t know how to act with our wires disconnected. Being able to unhook from all electronic communication for a measly 8 hours was a small gift for both adults and children in this house. A gentle reminder of the importance of balance.
A lovely and touching post to read.
Thank you Simone, it was such a lovely afternoon, I’m glad that came through in the post
Isn’t that so true – it’s nice to have a reminder we can make it without all our electronic toys
Glad you are all safe – and the food is ok 
Thanks Amber, that food thing always gets me although my fridge could definitely use a good clean out!
I find that losing power in daylight isn’t so bad. Its the evenings that make me crazy.
So true, I cleaned faster as the light started to go! A power outage is also good for a workout!
You are so right…my parents were on limited generator power for about 2 wks this winter and thought nothing of it (non-techies in a very rural area)…I so often wish life was as simple as it used to be.
Last time we lost power, I automatically flipped the switch for the overhead light as I walked into the kitchen. When that didn’t work, I walked across the room to flip the switch on the other wall. All automatic. It is interesting to me how I can in one part of my brain know that we don’t have power but in another part of my brain that doesn’t translate into we don’t have lights. Of course we have light! We always have light!
It is like the cute story in Readers’ Digest this month. A mother is trying to explain to her child about all the things that the child has always known but the mother grew up without–e.g. wii, computers, microwaves. The child asks if the mother had fruit when she was growing up. Somethings are just beyond comprehension.
I’m not sure where the storm came from but it sure happened fast. After I left Bainbridge Island things were really flying in the air. When I entered my neighborhood the street was littered with garbage cans, our neighbors can was in the middle of my drive way on its side. Then lucky me who doesn’t carry a key I found the power was out and my garage opener didn’t work. So…I went to a friends house and enjoyed the afternoon until my husband got home and opened the house…crazy
It is always so sad to see beautiful trees come down. So glad everyone is safe and I can just imagine how wonderful those 8 hours were. Just wondering if you have received a little package from me? Wishing you a terrific weekend. ox