What Do You Do When the Power is Out?
How timely. Yesterday I talked about how Laura Ingalls Wilder and her family spent their evenings back in the day when there was no television or Internet. Soon after I posted, major severe storms rolled into our area. My husband and I shut down computers and televisions and unplugged appliances. Last year my sister in law’s house was struck by lightning and their modem fried as did many of the appliances. We weren’t taking chances.
I read and he puttered around putting some things together handling little odd jobs. We also spent some time chit chatting and watching the lightning storm. We were both very content and didn’t miss television or the Internet at all. I suppose if this happened every night we’d miss it, but last night we didn’t.
My brother in law and his family were without television for over a year. When their set went they decided to see how long they could go without. My sister in law took up knitting and the kids learned music and took up art projects. The missed television a little, but enjoyed playing games and talking together each night too.
I think every family should shut down now and then and reconnect, don’t you? What do you do when you shut down?
Image: stock.xchnge
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POSTED IN: Simple Pleasures
5 opinions for What Do You Do When the Power is Out?
Frugal Dad
Jun 11, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Believe it or not, we actually INTENTIONALLY cut off the power a couple times a month and have a “power’s out” family fun night! We play games, light a few candles, tell stories and “camp out” in sleeping bags in our living room. In the winter we build a fire, and in the summer we open the windows and air out the house a bit.
SoloMother
Jun 11, 2008 at 8:16 pm
I’ve lived without a tv set since we came back to the US in 2006. We watch movies on my laptop.
I’ve lived without cable or network television for seven years.
It’s bliss.
Brenda
Jun 12, 2008 at 8:16 am
I have to laugh because last Friday I had four 15 year olds, and 3 14 year olds in the house during a storm when the power went out. I could feel the panic overwhelming me and then I said “Hey, play cards you guys!”. They did, and then half of them got out the Clue game. All went well and it was back on in about an hour. Four of them stayed over night and the others went home later.
Kisha
Jun 23, 2008 at 9:05 am
if it’s during the day we go in the backyard for a few and watch the storm but mostly stay inside and play games. Nights we just go to bed since there are so few windows for lighting.
Ashley
Jun 27, 2008 at 12:39 pm
I think this is a great idea!
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