Two things I learned today:
#1
The one time you skip a shower and end the day knowing you really need one, because you were just too tired, a car will strike a power pole in your area the next morning and knock out power for 500 people, including your house. Your well pump will not work no matter how you curse it and your faucets will have air in them no matter how many times you turn them on.
The day will call for showing up somewhere looking relatively well groomed, which you will attempt to affect with baby wipes [Note to self: don't skip showers], and this will also all only happen the day after a really bad hair day, which will give you the awkward look of very early-stage dreadlocks. You will look everywhere for a hair tie, and never find one.
Also, there will be two days of dishes in the sink, and no clean underwear to be found, and temperatures that day will reach 105 F.
It’s very hard to cool a metal house without power.
We used to hose down the walls and roof on bad days, once upon a time, but I guess THAT’S not going to work.
But it’s all good [damn Dutch Bros].
I do hope people weren’t hurt, and will say a prayer for them. I should be glad my problems are what they are.
#2
When there is a power outage, you will still try to turn on the computer/lights/coffee maker/water/phone charger, even though you know the power is out. You will feel dumber each time you do this, especially when someone else sees you. They will laugh at you. They will then do the same thing, so you can laugh at them.
When power is restored, you will feel smart again for being able to do things that can only be done when there is power available.
I have to ask myself how I ever take this stuff for granted. I feel like a desert wanderer just now who has finally found water.
Frankly, electricity seems like something I could mostly adjust to doing without, for a while, if I really had to. But not when it means no more water. When I don’t have water, I become a giant baby. It’s just too painful. [Note to self: resume keeping emergency water in house.] At least a couple of gallons would afford me a better bath than the baby wipes, and provide the sanity of a cup of coffee if needed. Yes, I do have an electric stove [unfortunately], and an electric coffee maker. But I’d find a way, I always have!
It would probably be easier to come and borrow my shower, thought it is half a shower due to crazy tweekers who fixed it, another story for another day. Glad your pow pow is back on. You make me laugh.
Oh god, we had to go without water for a couple of weeks once, it was awful, my hubby hauled it in, he was perfectly fine, I washed clothes in the bathtub, flushed the toilet with a bucket of water and cussed alot.
This is brilliant! And funny and familiar and I love it. You should have a column.
When my mom tells me the stories of her childhood without power, I seriously wonder how someone can survive without electricity!!
Seems like power has become our life line.
Thanks for the comments, y’all.
I swear, when you start considering bathing in the irrigation ditch [we pretend it is a creek..], you know what luxury truly is. And at some point yesterday, an outhouse would also have been a treat.
Yes, really.
It’s the little things and the joy they bring! Uplifting post – so reminds me of true gratitude. Thanks for sharing and for the laughter!
PLL, C.
Thanks yourself, cordieb, for your uplifting words. Here I was, writing a rant. But, you’re right, there is gratitude as well. I was very happy today for my coffee and my hot shower!
–Pearl
My god I’d rub two sticks together to make a cup of coffee if I had to!
Thas right!!!
And if that didn’t work, I’d make up a Coffee Dance to the Heavens!
your stories are interesting and insightful. also with a touch of the ‘universal’. who hasn’t been stuck with a sink full of dishes, at some point in their lives?!
your hot metal house brought back my childhood memory of my pet kangaroo stretched luxuriously upon a length of tin fencing that had fallen down. although it was winter the sun had heated the tin and he was enjoying the warmth. we all like our creature comforts.
Yep.
Thanks, indignant2.
PS-The Kangaroo had a name? I can’t wait to hear it.