Blackout

Jeff and I were watching some Olympics coverage (because I can't get enough of it) last night after dinner when suddenly the TV went black. And the AC turned off. And all the lights. We had a big storm the night before that had knocked out some power but we had been spared. Now tonight, with little more than a breeze, we were out.

So of course we did what everyone would do. We poured glasses of Baileys and sat out on the patio. Since the power went out at 8 we got to sit and talk and watch the darkness descend. It was heavenly. There was nothing to do and nothing we had to do. Most of the neighbors had done the same thing, sitting out on their patios with glasses of wine and relaxing.

And for a moment I thought about what it must have been like before the internet and TV. Now I was alive before there were personal computers. I remember a time where we didn't have the ever-present internet to entertain us. I never knew a time before TV. But sitting out there last night I found myself hoping that the lights didn't come back on for a while. I loved the undistracted time just watching the world grow darker while listening to people talk. Watching the trees blow in the breeze and listening to the cicadas. I loved the darkness and the sense of security of sitting in the dark. It felt safe and cozy. Eventually Jeff brought me a candle and I sat in the faint candle-light and wondered what the world would be like without television and email and constant distractions. I've decided that it would have been amazing. Then the lights came back on.

Power Outages and Magic Moments

Last week we had a number of storms, beautiful but violent storms. The kind that drop grape sized hail and brighten up the sky with constant lightning. On Wednesday I had gone over to see my uncle who was visiting my parents. Jeff called at 10 to let me know not to rush home. The power was out. I can't pass up a power outage so I rushed home. I am actually one of those strange people who love power outages. They are so quiet and so dark. We sat in the dark, no flashlight, and watched the lightning outside. Every couple of seconds the sky lit up but there was no thunder or rain. A perfect electrical storm. Out in the woods the fireflies would light up everytime the lightning struck. There were thousands of them. So Jeff and I rolled up our pants and went out to play in the puddles and the lightning and the fireflies. It was totally dark, and silent, and beautiful. After a couple attempts Jeff caught a lightning bug. He carried it in his hands over to show me. And the moment he opened his hands the firefly lit up, and the power came back on.

Magic.