We lost our electricity over the weekend for several hours. First clue the next day? Our clocks were blinking. An inconvenience, but not the end of the world. However, when we went to watch TV, our TIVO (how we record shows) no longer worked. Not a problem, according to my husband, as he’d purchased another one and it was sitting in the basement still in its box. However, that new device doesn’t function either. And all my previously recorded programs on our old TIVO are lost forever in that antiquated device: shows about the Amish, items I’d hoped to watch again, and an opera at the Met, that I think my husband was thrilled to escape. On the brightside, at least I’ll have more time to watch some of the new shows that I’ve seen are coming to Acorn. You can read about them on the Likewise website if you’re interested in seeing what’s on my watch list! If you’re looking for romantic comedy series you can watch online, you may use these dramas reviews as a guide.
Also not functioning when it should: our sprinkler system set on a timer. And I noticed my Christmas tree lights (white) draped on our back fence don’t work anymore. Small annoyances that remind me how much I rely on electricity. All is not lost; for instance my computer is fired and ready for action and I was able to boil hot water for my morning coffee in a jiffy. And when our once-a-month cleaning lady arrives today, the vacuum should function as well as ever. I hope!
What would you miss if you woke up and found your electricity was out for the day, the way the Amish do? Not that they don’t have clever and innovative ways of lighting their homes and cooking with gas and propane. In my Amish magazines, I see ads for fancy refrigerators and even freezers, although not allowed in every District, depending on the local Ordnung(unwritten instructions church members must obey decided by the bishop and ministers).
Back to my question: what would you miss the most if your electricity were out for the entire day? Leave a comment below to enter my giveaway: A chance to win this darling Pot Holder made in Lancaster County and a copy of either Pennsylvania Patchwork or Leaving Lancaster (your choice of books).
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| Last day to enter is Saturday, August 10, Midnight. USA only. The winner has one week to respond. |
CONGRATULATIONS to MsRubyKat (Karen) who was randomly picked as last week’s winner of the tea towel and a copy of Pennsylvania Patchwork and Leaving Lancaster.
I dont know if i would miss much, its not like when i was a kid and we had no water because we had a well, i have a perc to make my coffee, maybe i guess if its out that long i would worry about the food in the fridge and freezer
I’d forgotten about my much-needed coffee and food, Carol!
I would probably miss the air conditioning the most. It seems like I stay hot all the time. But, I would live and all would be well because I could still read my books! 🙂
Mandy Bentley
mandydawn@email.com
I’m glad to hear reading keeps you going, Mandy! But air-conditioning at night to cool down the bedroom is such a treat!
I would miss the internet…
Couldn’t read you blog
I would curl up with a book and crochet.
It really wouldn’t bother me that much.
Would miss the running water.
Love your writing style Kate.
CherylB1987@hotmail.com
Where I live in the city, we would still have running water … I think. But up at our cabin, none. That would be a huge problem, Cheryl!
What I would miss the most is water. We live in the country and have well water. The water is needed for flushing the toilet and for drinking and washing up. I can heat the water on the wood stove in the cold months or on the propane grill in the warm months.
Monique Wood
mosbe@aol.com
You are so right about the need for water! We have a well at our cabin. Makes me think we should keep bottled water on hand for drinking.
I would miss air conditioning the most. What a beautiful pot holder Kate….would love to win it & your books. Thanks for the opportunity!
lorrainealx@hotmail.com
Ah, I love my air-conditioning at night, Lorraine!
I WOULD MISS MY COMPUTER !! I WOULD HOPE TO HAVE A GOOD BOOK WRITTEN BY YOU TO READ DURING THE DAY LIGHT HOURS !! LOVE YOUR WORK !! PLEASE ENTER ME IN YOUR GIVEAWAY, I NEED A GOOD BOOK TO READ !!
EVELYN FOSTER
EVELENA1955@AOL.COM
I would greatly miss my computer too!
I could cope for a little while with flashlights and candles. We also have kerosene lamps.
You sound well prepared, Bonnie! I keep a flashlight our my bed and others around the house.
Yup, running water. Our cabin doesn’t have electricity so I am used to gas frig’s and stoves and insist on a gas stove at home. At the cabin we are on a lake so other than hauling buckets up a steep hill not an issue ( we even have a gas heated gravity fed shower at camp). At home there isn’t a source of water to haul buckets and we are on a well.
Water is the necessity, isn’t it? I’d better stock up on some bottled water!
I would miss water our well runs on a pump that needs electricity I was raised in the country so I know how to do things when the electricity is out .We were out for 9 days when the strong winds came through 7 years ago it was not fun but came through it just fine . Blessings Dana jashbk@earthlink.net
We’ve been without electricity, but not for 9 whole days, Dana! Wow! I’m glad you came through it just fine!
I would miss my computer, I keep in touch with my son in the Navy stationed in Japan and his son in college in Iowa.
I wouldn”t miss it. I could kee busy by reading, quilting or crocheting. For example my girls tv stopped working and they didn”t miss it they went outside played and they wanted to learn to crochet. They even quilt with me. They love the time we spend together. LeAnn Mooneyham angel4god(at)charter(dot)net
You sound like a resourceful and content woman, LeAnn, and so do your daughters!
Right now – air conditioning. In the winter – heat. And I don’t think I could go with out a washing machine year round (I have six kids).
No way could I go without a washing machine year-round, Tonja, even with just my husband and me at home!
Definitely the air conditioning but I am blessed with a husband that is very smart & several years ago he bought a power inverter so we can still charge our electronics & of course I still have my books to read 🙂
Your husband sounds wonderful, Sharon! I bought a small “unit” last year, but it does not produce enough juice to even charge my computer.
I would miss my computer. I keep in touch with family and friends.Pennsylvania Patchwork sounds wonderful. Please enter me in contest. Thank you for the opportunity to win.
Sometimes, as a joke, I call my computer my best friend, Emma. I’m kidding, but I’d miss it!
I would miss air conditioner, if summer and heat in winter
Thanks for chance to win in this conyest.
Carolyn J.
carolynj63@att.net.
Thanks, Carolyn!
I would miss my computer the most — love checking my Facebook messages and Emails to keep in touch with family & friends. Thank you for this lovely and generous giveaway. meashy@verizon.net
I would miss my computer the most also, Mary Ellen! And to think, not that many years ago I didn’t even use one!
Hi Kate, I loved this post; we lost all power in an earthquake in 1989. We were able to use a camp stove, bbq, propane lamps and the fireplace for heat. I just got back from Alaska and was without wifi and cell coverage while there-it took me back to days before blogging and cell phones. I enjoyed the peace and seeing new sights.
Now, I have a question for you that I hope you’ll answer in an email. I love all things Amish and would love to know what magazines are out there that would bring more of their world into mine. Thanks for the drawing as well-it would be wonderful to have a chance to win.
Thanks for any info you can provide!
Hugs, Noreen
You were very resourceful after the earthquake! Sometimes that forced silence, as you just experienced in Alaska, is very soothing. My two favorite Amish magazines are The Connection ( I think you can get one free copy if you call them at 574-202-5009) and Family Life, which is harder to get as they have no listed telephone number but can be googled for address.
I was without electricity for five days when the storm hit WV in Oct and was trapped on the mt. because trees were across the roads in both directions for days so no way to go anywhere. I missed my heat and being able to cook the most and losing all the food in the freezer. We survived….Would love to win.Blessings on your day.
Amazing story, Lucy! Makes me want to write … !
I would miss the air condition, because I live on the top floor of a 5 story building,and it would be murder without it. Thank you for the chance to win your book. I love your books!Barbara Gauthier. Bgauthier49@live.com.
Yes, heat rises, and I would miss air-conditioning too!
We had a big ice storm one time and was out of power for a week. I missed Hot showers and my computer. I missed the light at night too!!!
Brrr and shivers, Jennifer! And no computer either!
I would miss my computer and tv. would love to win. Angelachesnut246@gmail.com
Good choices, Angela! But I’d trade my TV and any old day for my computer!
I think I would too Kate. 🙂
I would miss not being able to shower/flush my toilet!
I would miss my microwave without electicity. As for lights, I try not to use them now. I’m on a tight budget. So, as flashlight works very well.
I just finished reading “Leaving Lancaster” and “Pennsylvania Patchwork” this past week. I can hardly wait for the final book in your trilogy!! Winning signed copies would be a dream come true!! The books that I read are passed on from one person to another.
I live about an hour from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Dienner’s Country Restaurant is my favorite place to eat!! I do not know when I’ll get there again. But, for anyone visiting Lancaster County, you have got to go here!!!!
Thank you very much, Elaine! I am delighted you enjoyed “Leaving Lancaster” and “Pennsylvania Patchwork”! I love eating at Dienner’s too! Makes me hungry just thinking about it.
I think I would miss taking a hot shower the most. The rest I could live without. I don’t watch much TV anyhow. Id curl up with a good book but that could be a problem after it got dark. Candle light really isnt enough to read by. Cooking … no big deal… grill or do sandwiches and have a picnic.
You sound like a resourceful woman, Linda, who could manage the situation … if you could use your neighbor’s hot shower!
Since I have water & gas( to cook) when our power is out, I guess I’d miss the fridge more. Tho I would hope my Kindle was charged up good before the power goes out !
Thanks for the chance to win these nice gifts .
Faye Simer
Good reminder: keep my iPad and computer charged!
Hi Kate, I have lost our electric occasionally, but not very long. I do remember last fall/winter our electric went off for quite awhile. I actually enjoyed the power off. My family sat together in our family room, lit a fire and played cards and board games and had great conversation. What I found that I missed was my nightly bowl of ice cream…that’s when I was ready for the electric to come back on..
Ah, this sounds like an Amish family room, Cheryl! Sorry about the ice cream.
I would miss my kindle, after the battery life wore down that is and the radio. I love to listen to our local Christian stations.
Someone should invent a way to recharge kindles and computers! (We have several battery run radios.)
The only thing I would miss would be my computer. I constantly fight with myself not to spend so much time on it. But them I would have more time to read!
Martha, I fight the same battle. I literally turn off the Wi-Fi first thing in the morning when I should be writing, and then later in the day when it’s time to read.
I think that I could manage without power for a day but longer than that would be of concern for freezer & refrigerator contents. I am a retired farm lady so no power has happened to me more than a few times. A good book & a comfy chair can fill the gap. 🙂
I would really enjoy being selected for your drawing. The book would be the best prize & the pot holder the bonus.
Longer than a day and the refrigerator contents do spoil, Darlene. I recall my grandma inviting her friends over to dine when the electricity went out in CT for almost a week.
You know, honestly, what I would miss the most would be lights. If the power goes out during the day, no problem. However, at night is when it bugs me. I hate not being able to turn on the light in the bathroom, kitchen or bedrooms. Drives me crazy! 😛
Thanks for the opportunity to win!
Info@Imaginary-Bee.com
Thanks for your fun comments, everyone. Be sure to LEAVE AN EMAIL ADDRESS so I can track down the winner. Good luck to all of you!
I think I would miss my washing machine the most. I remember helping my Mom wash with a battery operated wringer washer until I was 14, (I’m 53 now), and it’s HARD work.
Blessings,
Betsy
That does like hard work, Betsy!
I would really miss my computer. Skyping my grandkids, sending my friends a quick email… And basic communications…My hobbies and work are on my computer as well. But What I would WORRY most about is my food stored in the freezer. Makes me want to go out and buy a generator! Ha ha! Good motivation!
Blessings
Sonja
Sonja.nishimoto@gmail.com
We have contemplated buying a generator too, Sonja! I would also miss my computer!
I would miss the TV. I need some constant “hum”. I’ve been without my PC which gave me more reading time 🙂
Lisa
korell62@aol.com
Reading time is a good thing!
I would miss everything, I think. Just electrcity to run my vacumn, cool my house, etc. Of course, I would miss some tv, and being able to read my computer.
What’s a vacuum, Loretta? Just kidding, but I do like a cool house, particularly at night. And of course my computer!
We went for about a week of no tv because of the power being out and no computer but I just read and listed to a local radio station.I guess I would miss checking Facebook and seeing friends and family.
Lora
lora_dietrich@yahoo.com
You have true life experience! I would miss checking Facebook too! And my blog! And I’m trying to finish another manuscript …
I would miss my hair dryer the most!! The way I look in the morning, I’d have to wear a hat all day! 🙂
Blessings!
Judy B
judyjohn2004(at)yahoo(dot)com
You must have gorgeous hair, Judy! Mine just gets frizzier as the day goes by.
I would have to say the A/C because it is very HOT in Houston,Tx. area right now, and no cool air when you open the windows. Have dealt with that before. But would sure miss my computer after the battery died. LOL BUT, have lived without it. I would love to win your Pennsylvania Patchwork book. And, that oh so pretty potholder. Thanks Kate, for this give-away and hope I’m luckier than last week. 🙂 Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com
I’ve been watching the weather reports. In Houston A/C is a must!
I would miss my air conditioning because I live in Louisiana and it’s hot and humid. Our whole house is electric, so even the hot water heater, stove and everything would be off. Thanks for entering me in the giveaway.
Barbara Thompson
barbmaci61(at)yahoo(dot)com
Sounds like you’d have a very quiet home, Barbara! And hot!
I would miss my air conditioner. I would love to win your book and the potholder.
susanmsj@msn.com
This time of year, AC is a lovely luxury, Susan! What did people do before AC was invented?
For me, I couldn’t go without air conditioning. With my hot flashes, I can get very cranky! I think a washing machine would probably be second.
Christi Long
christinalong@spsk12.net
Then I hope your AC keeps running! Especially no fun to be hot at night.
Refrigerator and fans would be the two things I would miss the most. They are equally important to me so I could not pick just one.
mzieli01@yahoo.com
Both sound important, Marg!
Furnace in the winter and sump pump in rainy seasons.
That sump pump sounds essential, Gene! But then so does the furnace.
I would miss air conditioning the most! Our electricity actually was off a couple of years ago due to a bad storm! Too hot and spoiled to be without air conditioning! Thanks for the chance to win one of your books and the policyholder.
rcourts@twc.com
I would miss being able to charge my Nook. I love to read and I carry my nook everywhere I go. I read whenever wherever I can. I know I could carry a book but with my nook I have thousands of books on me at all times!
Good for you, Lorri, for being such an avid reader! Too bad there isn’t a charger for a Nook in your car. Someone should invent one!
Gee that’s a hard one. Depending on the weather, if it was winter, I’d miss my heat…in the summer I’d miss my A/C. On a normal day with the windows opened, I think I’d miss being able to use my laptop to talk to all my FB friends (especially my WPBC ones). And…since we live in the country and have a well, I’d miss not having running water (or being able to flush the toilets). Guess we’d have to use jugs of water for that. This situation has actually happened to us a few times, just glad it didn’t last for more than a day.
So, Sandra, you have lived through this dilemma! In your situation, guess I’d have to choose water! I do keep extra water on hand, just in case.
I would miss my shower the most and A/C the most. There are lots of other things that I would miss too like being able to get on facebook and chatting with friends.
Juanita Cook
Seraphinangel7@aol.com
I don’t want you to miss your shower or AC, Juanita! Or getting on Facebook!
I would miss my computer where I go every evening to facebook and emails, plan a new trip and check out Pinterest, etc. etc. sharon, CA wileygreen1(at)yahoo(dot)com
Sharon, I think I’d probably agree; my computer is my top priority!
I would probably miss my crock-pot the most since I use it quite a bit.
I would love to win the book, “Pennsylvania Patchwork”.
Thanks!
Janet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com
I don’t know many people who use crockpots so I’m intrigued! In fact, all of a sudden I’m hungry.
Not a lot I would miss I like my quiet world. I like just sitting and reading, A candle works for light so I can see. I live most the time with no Ac so. If it was more then a day I would worry about food spoiling. Other then that I would be ok with a book. Hopefully yours. 🙂
Blessings
joeym11@frontier.com
I relish the quiet too, Diana! Living in the city, I don’t get to enjoy much of it. Always a truck, a jet overhead, or a neighbors construction project.