Let There Be Light

Hi World! I’m back and am so happy to be sitting here, my computer screen glowing. I really missed blogging.

It has been a rough week for so many on the East Coast in the aftermath of Irene. Luckily we were not hit hard like people in the Carolinas and in Vermont. I’m still getting information (as I’ve been out of the loop with no power, internet or cable) on how bad other areas were affected.

In Scituate, people face incoming storms with a stiff upper lip (much like the British) and a wry sense of humor. Everyone knew that the power would go out, I guess that is a given, but many are very upset with how long it is taking for power to be restored, considering there was no flooding and the eye of the storm didn’t hit us. Many in the town still do not have power or hot water. Many people were feeling quite helpless and exasperated yesterday and today. Wondering just how long they would have to wait for electricity. Yesterday on Front Street many business were shut or operating in the dark on a cash only basis.

If you looked at the weather after the storm it didn’t give any indication that anything was wrong here in Scituate. We’ve had gorgeous weather since Sunday. The day after the storm, many flocked to the beaches hoping for big waves or, like us, sea glass and driftwood. We thought our electricity would come back on (as it did during the storm in the winter), but it didn’t. It took four days due to trees and downed wires.

The morning after Irene. Surfers and dogs flock to Egypt Beach.

Despite not having power we tried to make the best of things. Luke and I enjoyed wine by candlelight. It was actually nice not to be sat in front of the TV like zombies watching whatever because it was on. We had some really nice chats over Cupcake Vineyard’s Pinot Noir. It was so relaxing to be at home enjoying the flickering candles and silence outside. All we could hear were crickets, some generators and the quiet of night. We also got to bed much earlier than regular nights.

Ikea candles help to put light on the situation

Our boys had to find other ways to amuse themselves other than the computer and the television. John kept wanting to watch TV and I’d say, “Well, I wish you could, too, but we have no electricity.” It is really hard to explain this to a 5 year old. Instead, John and Conor amused themselves by ‘old school entertainment’. They created amazing works of art on their craft table – beautiful watercolors, comic strips, books, collages. We had board game afternoons – charades is a big hit at our house! They rediscovered toys in the playroom and the trampoline which had been hidden in the work room (we tidied that room up during the storm). Best of all they enjoyed time together on their bikes in the driveway and searching for sea glass on Egypt and Museum Beach.

Crafts, crafts and more crafts.

There, of course, were also some negative aspects of losing power. My main issue was anxiety. Luke was here for the storm, but then travelled on business when flights resumed. So I’ve been holding down the fort, in the dark. I was too nervous to use the gas generator without him. Sometimes my imagination can go wild and I pictured the house burning down when he was gone. So thought it would be safer to just use candles and be without power. Anyway, it was really, really hard to do the bed time routine in the dark and to also deal with children being afraid of the dark. As a parent, I felt quite tense as I didn’t know when power would come back on. I didn’t realize just how dependent I had become on technology, computers, TVs, cell phones – until all that was taken away. I missed my two cups of coffee. I really don’t feel awake until I’ve had them and without power couldn’t brew my Trader Joe’s French Roast. More than all of that, the hardest thing for me today was throwing away perfectly good food which had spoiled due to lack of electricity. I took three bags full of food to the dump. It just makes me so sad. I hate wasting things and there were jars of homemade raspberry sauce, mayonaise, homemade chili, frozen shrimp and unopened packages of mozzarella, French cheeses and I could go on and on.

Irene has gone, we finally have power and I’m so happy and lucky to live in this wonderful town. We are safe, our home secure and we now have power. Thank you to family, friends and strangers who have helped us this week. If there is anything we can do to help others please let me know.