Thursday, June 23, 2011

Powerless

                                                                                                  Julie Kemp Pick


We experienced a major power failure that began around  9:00 Tuesday night. Fortunately, it cooled off in the evening and we were able to sleep with a steady breeze of fresh air, that was preferable to the steady breeze of snoring. This experience made me think of previous power failures that happened when our kids were little. 

When we first moved into our home about 22 years ago, we frequently had to deal with flickering lights followed by total darkness. I remember one year, we lost our power right after a big holiday meal and I had to clean up by candlelight after our guests went home.

Bedtime was always the scariest during a power failure when our boys were small; so we'd gather them up in our big bed with flashlights in hand, and my husband would tell them stories. They were used to hearing me ramble on all day long, but when my husband spoke they listened. He would tell them all about growing up in a family where English was their second language, and the many sacrifices his parents made for him and his younger brother.  If they were really good, he would spice things up by telling them some of the mischief  he got into with his little brother.  

This year there were no great stories, and no cute little boys to cuddle up with. Our younger son was driving in the midst of the terrible storm from summer school, so I couldn't help but try to wrestle him to the ground for hugs when he arrived home safely.

The next morning my husband surprised me by not going in to work, as their Internet service was down. While I was eating breakfast, I heard him rustling with his tools in the bathroom off of the kitchen. The room was pitch black except for the glow of his flashlight as he was fixing the toilet. Never in a million years would I think that seeing my husband shirtless, tinkering with the toilet would be such a turn on...

33 comments:

  1. I hate power cuts mainly because I can't use my laptop, but then the realisation of not being able to cook, watch TV and all that electricity are responsible for,

    Hope all is well now,
    Yvonne.

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  2. lol everything looks better in the dark..even husbands.

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  3. The good thing about a power outage is that it just makes us stop, somehow. It's a little break that gets us out of our routine for awhile.

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  4. It's that glow of the flashlight (instead of candle light)... lol!

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  5. I live in a planned city. As part of the planning they put our power lines underground. We rarely loose our power. So when we do, it is a major inconvenience since we developed no coping skills.

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  6. @Yvonne - I agree with everything, but the cooking part. That I don't mind giving up for a few days. Our power was restored early Thursday morning, but neighbors living just blocks away are still suffering. Thanks Yvonne!

    @mybabyjohn - A classic line! You never disappoint!

    @Joanne - That's true! Instead of being glued to the couch after dinner, we went for a late walk, something we usually don't take time to do on a week night.

    @Laura - The glow does it every time!

    @Elaine - I'll bet you are prepared for anything at any time. You probably have a back-up generator for your Dyson!

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  7. We had a power outage for four days just before my baby was born a few years ago. It was September and the weather was nice after the storm so we could open the windows. The thing I remember about it was the silence. I didn't realize how many layers of technological hum I listen to every day. I could barely sleep from the extreme quiet. My sister had electricity so we could eat and shower at her house, and I didn't go into labor - so it was all good.

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  8. You make power failures sound fun and that's a great last sentence! Sometimes being in the dark can be enlightening.
    Be well, Donna.
    xoRobyn

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  9. @Tonja - That had to be frustrating for 4 days, especially when you were pregant! Thank goodness you had such a positive attitude and everything turned out okay. It's also helpful to have such a nice sister!

    Thanks Robyn! Say "hi" to Donna for me! Julie

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  10. Fellow A-Z'r here, following the link from Warrior Muse.

    Power outages - all in how we view them, isn't it? Love your sexy hubby fixing the toilet by flashlight, made me laugh.

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  11. Used to love power outages when I was a kid. We'd sit around with flashlights, playing twenty questions and telling ghost stories. Nowadays, the only plus to a power outage is I "can't" vacuum or do the laundry. (oh, darn!)

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  12. How quickly the years fly by~All those moments that make up a lifetime~It's so sweet to hear you all got in bed together~I'm sure those will be the wonderful memories your boys will look back on and smile when they have their own power outage~It's always good to make the best of a bad situation~Thanks for sharing~xo~Lou

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  13. @Beverly - It seems the angrier we become during them, the longer they seem to last. Thanks Beverly and I appreciate you stopping by! I just took a peek at "sexy Lexy," and it's a great story!

    @Susan - You didn't mention cooking or doing dishes!

    @Lou - I hope your power is going strong. So many places in the area are still in the dark. Thanks for the good thoughts Lou!

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  14. Julie-
    You didn't tell the rest of the story.....your shirtless husband.....c'mon now we are all waiting....
    Chris

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  15. Julie, I just realized I called you Donna. So sorry. Got you mixed up with another pretty new follower. Oy. Please forgive, Julie. I may've done that before too. My brain is weirdly wired.

    Have a good weekend.
    xoRobyn

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  16. @Chris - Well, since his shirt was already off, and no one else was home, we did what any married couple would do in the privacy of their own home during a power failure...We quickly dove into the freezer and finished the ice cream before it melted!

    @Robyn - Just for fun, I thought I'd look up the mysterious Donna, and I completely understand why you mistook me for her. We both graduated from high school around 1947! I've heard worse!

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  17. Hi Julie .. I can imagine the kids and I bet they remember their Dad telling them some fun old stories and mischevious tales - just like midnight feasts.

    You must have been thinking things if you wrestled your child to the floor the night before, then had tendencies while your hubby, spanner in hand and flashlight bobbing, was repairing the toilet ... something was missing!!

    Hope the electrics stay on for a while .. loss of our fundamental power service just finishes us all off - so unused to it. Cheers and have a good weekend ..

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  18. Haha! Darkness has a way of even making toilets look sexy. :) Have a great weekend!

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  19. @Hilary - The older my boys get, the more I feel as though I have to wrestle them just to get a hug! Don't worry I'm not turning into a freakish creature of the night!

    @Talli - Yes toilets are very sexy, especially when they flush when they're supposed to instead of sounding off all night long! Growing up no one in my family was handy, so I get excited when my husband, and my sons are able to fix things!

    Wonderful weekend wishes to all!

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  20. How funny to think of toilets being sexy. :D

    This was a great read, made me feel all nostalgic about power outages, even though the second my power actually goes off I have a fit.

    Wonderful weekend wishes to you as well! :)

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  21. Julie - Just wanted to let you know I've picked up a few new visitors, as well as followers thanks to your A-Z Blog Hop! Thank you also for your wonderful comments! Julie

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  22. Our power goes out often as well, usually not for too long. Fortunately we heat with a wood burning stove, so we can stay warm, and still cook if it doesn't come back.
    But sexy toilet guy . . . I can't see it. Maybe it's because my kids are still around.

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  23. Rhonda - As someone who has written in-depth articles on some of the most beautiful, and sickening toilets in the world; you of all people should understand how that situation could render me powerless!

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  24. My mother was telling me about all of the storm caused power failures they had around where she lives in Tennessee. I noticed where someone on Facebook mentioned that the power company or someone had put up a map that showed where the outages were--interesting.


    Lee
    Tossing It Out

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  25. My wife's never said I look good messing with the commode. And I don't think removing my shirt would really help.

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  26. @Lee - Tennessee was so horribly hit. I hope that your mom and the rest of your family didn't suffer much damage.

    @Alex - You're still young Alex. Give it time.

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  27. Oops! I should of called him to fix my toilet! lrk

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  28. We had a series of power cuts when my kids were little because of industrial unrest. The kids loved going to bed by candle light but, like you say, it was a bit grot having to wash up by candle light too. Oh yes, and I think we have far too much information regarding husband's state of dress and desirability!!

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  29. @lrk - He doesn't usually make house calls, but he might make an exception for you.

    @Rosalind - Just be grateful I don't post pictures!

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  30. I used to live in New Hampshire before moving to Florida. Power cuts were a way of life. Generators were essential.

    As for fixing the toilet, please send my wife a photo of your husband and let her dream a little.

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  31. It's been so long since we had a power failure that I sort of miss them. Odd, I know, but they're always a little bit fun (as long as they don't last long enough for there to be spoilage and don't happen in the middle of the night, thus killing my white noise and waking me from a sound sleep). I think the kids would get a kick out of it. Darn power company!

    Funny what is a turn on through the years. The oddest things will strike me these days. I hope that never ends.

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  32. @JJ - Some of our neighbors have generators and they sounded like firecrackers going off. I will send you an autographed copy right away, but I'm sure you already make all of her dreams come true!

    @Shannon - Be careful what you wish for! You could always pretend by using flashlights and telling stories. If you throw in some s'mores on an open fire, I'll join you! Julie

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