Hi!
I’m writing this post during a power outage. Usually, we sit in the dark because of snow, not rain and heavy winds, so I wasn’t prepared for this power outage. We did not get hit as badly as the southern part of our state or coast with rain, but the wind did its damage. Keep those facing weather challenges in your thoughts and prayers.
Fortunately, this time around our landlines and DSL are still up, so I’m able to communicate. I use my phone. This is where I get news and updates and where most of my focus is. I have been without this communication during storms and it’s like being alone on an island. No idea what is going on in the world.
I thought I’d try to get some work done or this post. My little laptop took forever to update and finally let me use it on what limited internet is available. Our power came back later that night and then we got some snow the next day.
Even with these issues, I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. It may not be ideal to experience in real life, but for characters, it adds an extra dimension to the story. My experience is that cooking on a woodstove can be fun—at first. A character who can’t get a fire burning or hot enough will have a few lessons to learn.
A generator is one of the best investments we’ve made for where we live. It’s not a full house, but it runs the well so we have water, outlets in the bedroom to run hubby’s CPAP machine, refrigerator, outdoor lights, and microwave. It requires not only gas and oil but learning how to run it safely. People have burned their houses down by putting them in the attic. You have to make sure your power lines coming in are shut off or you may send unwanted power to the people working on the lines. An electrician put our panel in and we are careful to follow instructions. Other things to learn is how much wattage applicances take and what is most important. There are so many possible stories just in that.
There needs to be some downtime in stressful situations. During this outage I watched a TV show on Chromecast and Hulu. Usually, it’s through a satellite as that is more reliable at our house but it needs power too. I got lucky with the internet working. But it gave me the break I needed. Books offer that same escape so we can reset and rewind, ready for what the world brings us.
Sometimes in life, all we can do is survive. The same happens in a story where our experience can be woven into any story making it all the more real. Characters being out of communication and having no power adds that opportunity for a killer, sudden illness or injury, a tree hitting the house and losing shelter, a war going on and no clue, or even the worst case, it’s worldwide.
A forced change in our daily routine makes us look at the world differently. For me, besides trying to get the fire going and keeping it going, my mind wanders. My what-ifs kick in and ideas flow that insist on being written down. Plus, there is that lesson showing us what is important. Being safe along with having shelter, food, and water. This bit of wisdom and empathy can flow into a story, with a few challenges along the way.
Like life, nothing goes along smoothly, and in stories that is what keeps us turning the page.
Note: That little bug that’s been making it way though my family for the last month finally claimed me. So I took some time to rest and recoup.
Read a good book and create some of that magic. D. L. Finn
Hi, Denise! It seems you are what commonly called “autark”. Well done! How horrible is it to live in the era of robotics and AI, but don’t have the best power supply we can afford. Best wishes, Michael
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Yes, definitely have to learn to be self suffient when we haven’t modernized our power supply only patched it. It would be nice to upgrade it to what we are capable of, I agree. Thanks, Michael.
There are some great writing tips hidden in these weather woes. Well done.
Inspiration is found everywhere, and without power, my mind can wander, Craig 🙂
Denise you made great use of your time. Although that kind of outage is scary. Stay safe. Big hugs.
Thanks, Teagan 🙂 I’m not a fan of wind storms where we live, but were ok through it. Big hugs back xo
I hope it’s back on by now. <3
Yes, it was only off a couple days thankfully. Xo
Stay safe dear Denise. Stay warm too. Blessings
Thank you, Selma 🙂 It’s cozy and warm now. Blessings back to you xo
It sounds like the beauty and peace of your area override the occasional power outtage. Hope you (and hubby?) have recovered from the bug!
It definitely does, Priscilla 🙂 Hubby got it a month ago, and it still has that cough. I am slowly recovering! Xo
Most definitely challenging circumstances, Denise. But I love how those real life situations come through in your stories and enhance the reading experience. Hoping you are feeling better by now. Hugs!
Fortunately, I like a good challenge… lol. Outages can definitely inspire stories. It can always be worse. Thank you, slowly getting there. Hugs back xo
Power outages surely switch your days around! We had SIX between August and December, and as a result, we’ve invested in the Generac generator. The company is doing great business in our area because of our power company! Our previous generator saw us through three hurricanes but ran on gas and was so noisy! I’m glad to hear you’re not moving!
That is a lot of outages, Noelle! Generac is doing good business here, too. I worry that they drain propane tanks so quickly, and its hard and expensive to get refills when we need them. You are right, though gas is loud but easier to get. They are planning on banning them, but I don’t see a good alternative to that yet. I do love where we are, so I will figure it out as we go 😉
Outages make us re-think our supplies, don’t they? We’ve also got a generator – solar powered. We’re not as remote as you, though, and that makes a huge difference. Our little community pitches in and helps each other. What a relief that is. Take good care of yourself and rest. I hope you feel better soon. ❤️
It does, Gwen. Our few miles are underground, but leading up to that isn’t. So trees, snow, and winds are always taking the lines down. They promise underground, at least part, but we will see. We have good neighbors who check on us and do what we can for each other. That sure helps. Thank you. Xo
HI Denise, I am sorry to hear about your power outages. We have them all the time and also deal with them by making use of a mixture of solar geysers, gas ovens and a generator. Ours are due to an incompetent government and state power facility.
Thanks, Robbie. Sorry you deal with it, too. Sounds like you have it down dealing with yours. Ours is weather related and a power company that has put profit over customers. It’s hard when you have to depend on that without choice. I hope yours get resolved.
Hi Denise, life in southern Africa (and the greater Africa) has its problems. We have to deal with them and that is that – smile!
Power outages really make one realize what is most important. I hope your power gets restored soon, Denise.
When we lived on some acreage, we had a big generator that was kept out in the pole barn. When the power went out, I’d shut off the main power circuit breaker and fire up the generator, which was hooked directly to the breaker box with a 220 line.
You do appreciate what is important when the lights go out, Timothy. I miss our garbage disposal and hall light. It was only out for a couple of days this time. When it goes longer, it can get pricey with the gas. Nice, you had a generator. it’s a welcomed rumble when we lose power.
We have a smaller one now that we’re in a neighborhood, a Honda that is a lot quieter than the big one we had for the country home, just used for the basics.
I’m glad your power is restored, Denise.
I’ve had that experience with outages–that we are forced into downtime. I’m not as calm about it as you, Denise! We got a whole-house generator (in crazy California, it’s becoming almost de rigeur) so it’s less painful but I still lose whatever I was working on for those 5 seconds. Sigh. Hope you feel better. No fun being sick without power!
It is forced downtime, Jacqui. I think I am just used to it… lol. We went 20 years before getting a generator. A week in the dark without water was enough for me one year! Luckily, we had family to visit for showers and laundry. We considered the whole house but got cheap and went with having water, running fridge and outlets was ok. Yes, even those moments it takes to come on you do lose work. I try to hit save often. Yeah, it is a normal part of CA living and snow country on top of it. Thanks, I’m slowly getting there. Xo
I feel exactly like you, Denise. It’s fun for a while, but I miss the comforts of modern living quickly. We had a tree come down in one of the recent storms, blocking the road we share with another neighbor. The tree was on our property, so it was our responsibility. The tree guy came out the next day, so we were only stranded for a day. I suppose it could have been worse, but it cost $1,500 to remove.
Yes, it’s hard to lose pur modern conveniences, Pete! Sorry you had a tree come down, but I’m glad it didn’t hit anything. Even a day is too long to be stranded. It is not cheap to have them removed or cut down but a necessity. We had one come down last year and block our driveway. It missed hitting the woodshed and outbuildings, though. It sat for a while because of snow. Luckily, cars were on the other side of it but usually would have been under it.
A very perceptive and insightful reflection post! I hope you’re over “the bug.”
Thanks, Liz 🙂 I am slowly getting there.
You’re welcome, Denise. 🙂
Wow, you made great use of your time, Denise. We haven’t had a power outage all year so far, despite some weather woes (more coming tomorrow). We have a generator, but haven’t needed to power it up yet. It would be nice to get through the winter without it. I hope you don’t need yours again any time soon!
Thanks, Mae! I hope your luck holds up not having to use your generator, and the storm isn’t too bad. Xo
You’ve made lemonade out of lemons!! I love the writing tips woven in too.
Thanks, Darlene 🙂 Sometimes, those lemons flavor a good story.
The forest in north-east California seems like a very cozy place to live, well except when there’s bad weather. I grew up in the north Swedish forest, which was probably a bit colder but the same quiet, peace and clean air. It was a fun post to read.
Thank you, Thomas. I am lucky to live here and appreach season, even the storms. I can imagine your peacefulness growing up there.
I hope the bug doesn’t stay around too long, Denise. You are fortunate to have a generator. That is a very good thing. Thanks for sharing.
Me too, John, thank you! Very fortunate and appreciate its loud rumble l.
The storms have been crazy in my area too. Lots of power outages and chaos. Glad you had the generator and a good plan on how to spend your time. Hugs, C
I know the coast got hit harder. Hope all is well with you after them. Yes, a generator sure comes in handy. Hugs back xo
And the writing /show goes on Denise~! Now that’s what I call a real writer. Love your dedication and so awesome you have a generator!❣️
Whew.. TG you have a generator, Denise. I took the ink there💕
Very glad to have it, Cindy!
I imagine so!!!🙌🏽
Sounds like you had a heck of a storm, Denise, but you’re taking advantage of your time. I’d guess generators are a must-have in your neck of the woods. Hope you’re feeling better!
It was different than what we are used to, Teri. My daughter compared it to a catagory one hurricane. Yes, generators are a must-have now, although we went twenty years without one. I had ice chests and saved bottles of water as my go-to then, now its gas and what seems like luxury 😉 Thank you, getting there!
It sounds like you make good use of your power outages, Denise, and are well prepared. I hope you’re feeling better too. I love how your stories unfold for your characters also. We recently had a power outage around 5pm, so we enjoyed wine and conversation, then cold leftovers for dinner. When darkness fell, we lit candles and brought out the camping lanterns, and sported our headlamps for reading. We make it an adventure during these times. They’re not really scary unless the wind is strong and we worry about trees falling. Stay safe and feel better. xo
Thanks, Lauren 🙂 Yes, gotten very used to the outages and have a routine. Camping lanterns and head lamps are the best for those dark moments. It can be a fun adventure, camping inside and finding a new perspective on our lives. Xo
You’ve had such a wild winter, Denise. Snow, wind, and all those power-outages! We have a generator too (thank goodness) and though it doesn’t run our whole house, it keeps the frig and internet going (my husband would keel over if he couldn’t watch puppy videos. Lol.) And you’re right about the challenges we face adding to our writers’ toolboxes. Here’s to a much less stressful spring.
Winters are always interesting for sure, Diana. Although, I don’t want a repeat of last year! Generators are such a must for living in the woods, and love not having to out all the food in ice chests 😉 Puppy videos are important as is music ones for my hubby. I’m glad the generator keeps those going, too. A calm, rainy spring sounds nice.
🙂 I hope that’s what’s ahead. You deserve a break!
I think we all do! Xo
In spite of the adversities, you were able to see some the good in it all. I agree with you, there’s nothing like real life experience to bring out the authenticity in characters. I hope all is well.
I like to believe there is always some good to be found, Mark 🙂 Yes, that real-life experience is a bonus in stories.
Thanks for sharing this with us, Denise! Inspiration abides in the quiet moments for sure. Hope everyone feels better soon. Take care. xo
It really does, Natalie 🙂 Thank you! Xo
Is everything up and running now? I didn’t realize you had to be so careful with generators. Good to know.
Hope you had a lovely Valentine’s Day.
scoxox
Very careful, but so useful! I did. I hope you did too. Xo
Writers always write, Denise! You had an almost out-of-body experience during the power outage and “watched” your character going through it. Sometimes this phenomenon keeps us from panicking as the “first person.” Having a generator to power part of the house seems to be a way to go rather than the cost to power the whole house. I hope your and your hubby’s bugs are getting better by now.
As you know about the snow and ice in Oregon, my daughter’s house was out of power for a day. They slept in front of the fireplace but cme over to our house the next day. Even the power cme back on the next day, the hot water pipe was frozen for days. My SIL fixed it one section at a time. He got a portable charger to hook up to the car battery to work as a short term genertor in cae the power went out again. Getting a whole house generator is expensive and is not cost effective for Portland area.
I hope your son and his area in Eugene was okay. Thank goodness that the snow and freezing rain didn’t return. Take care!
Amazing