So what exactly do you do when the lights go out? I was just finishing up lunch yesterday when the power went off. The coffee was still hot and the conversation was still good...but once lunch was over...reality set in. I could not go back to my work in the office...the Revenue Canada web page had long since disappeared!
I decided to call B.C. Hydro and inform them of our outage. Oops...the cordless phone was not working...nor was the office phone working...
...but I did manage to find a bedroom phone that was just a plain old-fashioned no-frills phone...with a dial tone. (It wasn't actually the phone in the picture...but I wish I still had one of those!) So, after being informed that the power would be off for a few hours...I tried to think of things to do that didn't require electricity. Hmmm...I came up blank! Well, I could always make phone calls...from the bedroom. And so I did. The numbers I needed were on the computer...but I found I still knew how to look them up in a phone book. Several times during my phone conversations, I ran to the office for the required information...and returned to my wired down phone. This was far too much work!
I decided to call B.C. Hydro and inform them of our outage. Oops...the cordless phone was not working...nor was the office phone working...
...but I did manage to find a bedroom phone that was just a plain old-fashioned no-frills phone...with a dial tone. (It wasn't actually the phone in the picture...but I wish I still had one of those!) So, after being informed that the power would be off for a few hours...I tried to think of things to do that didn't require electricity. Hmmm...I came up blank! Well, I could always make phone calls...from the bedroom. And so I did. The numbers I needed were on the computer...but I found I still knew how to look them up in a phone book. Several times during my phone conversations, I ran to the office for the required information...and returned to my wired down phone. This was far too much work!Well...since I was in the bedroom anyhow...and I had a drawer full of books waiting to be read...why not just take a reading break until the power was restored? Just as I was contemplating which book to crack open...
...the power came back on! It looks like the books will have to wait for another day...but I'll show you the options. I keep books in my nightstand...though I'm not sure why, because I don't do a whole lot of reading in bed.
At the top of the pile is a John Grisham book...and now that I'm reading the jacket, I know why I haven't yet read a Grisham book that's been out there for more than a year! It's about football...and I could think of other topics I'd sooner get into.
Next is an Elizabeth Goudge book called "the Dean's Watch"...which I have started...barely. Elizabeth Goudge writes historical novels...'enchanting and something of a fairy-tale' so it says on the back.
Then is "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy. I bought the book after seeing the author interviewed by Oprah...and thinking it was the story of the love between a father and his son. I have never read it, since both my son and son-in-law informed me it was rather dark...and not likely something I would enjoy. Now I've put it back on my reading pile after having it recommended by trustworthy sources.
Lois Hole's 'Perennial Favorites' has been in my nightstand since we started landscaping almost four years ago. It's fun to spend a few minutes in her book now and again...there's always something to be learned from our Canadian gardening expert.
And at the bottom of the pile is a brand new book called "Bill Vanderzalm...For the People"...the autobiography of British Columbia's 28th premier (a most colourful character). It's a book I ordered for my dad...who happens to be one of Bill's greatest fans...and arrived complete with Mr. Vanderzalm's signature. But, if I treat it with the greatest of care...I should be able to preview it just a wee bit before passing it along.
So those are the books that I may...or may not...be reading sometime soon. The lights are back on...as is the dishwasher...the television...the computer...and all those blinking clocks that I need to re-set. The books will wait! But go over and visit In a Garden ...who is hosting a 'what's on your night table' show-and-tell this week.
Have a wonderful day...
We are so dependent on hydro that's for sure. Too bad you didn't get to reading Judy..I see you have a stack of books ready and waiting!
ReplyDeleteI like the old phone..had one like that, the children played with it, then the g'children and then it disappeared when we moved.
So true how dependent we are on modern day conveniences; but I do keep a langline plugged in just for this purpose, especially dialing 911 should I ever have to during an outage. My Lois Hole book it tagged and dog earred such a great resource.
ReplyDeleteApparently I should spell check for mornings I have yet had a full cup of java--that would be landline:)
ReplyDeleteThe veranda overhang that gives us such lovely shade in the summer unfortunately makes a winter afternoon without power a very dark afternoon!
ReplyDeleteI had to smile at your reading pile. I have such a pile too - books that I've dipped in and out of, as well as the latest magazines. I can't manage more than a page or two before I fall asleep.
Football......what were you thinking???
I'd be so tempted to take a nap! You did well to remain vertical.
ReplyDeleteThis was interesting. We get power outages a lot and you would think we´d get used to them, but we don´t. Just last night we had one and I did some reading too. I´ll have to copy you and post about my book pile. I have a big one....
ReplyDeleteI so hope you enjoy Elizabeth Goudge. She has been one of my favourite authors for many years. The Dean's Watch is a delightful story.
ReplyDeleteHi Judy, Thanks for coming by Pappy's Balderdash. B.C. sure is scenic. I have an old black dial phone just like the one in your picture that I keep for just such occasions. Come back anytime. Pappy
ReplyDeleteHi Judy
ReplyDeleteMy Mom has, and still uses, a black "Ma Bell" phone, just like the one in your photo! It is over 60 years old!
I'm not sure how you will feel about The Road. It is dark, and not a "feel good" story, quite the contrary...it can get very gruesome and repulsive.
I couldn't put it down until I finished it, however, as it was gripping, and it filled my mind with many questions for a long time. For that reason I considered it a worthwhile read as it makes you want to believe that even in the darkest hour love conquers all.
What is hydro?
ReplyDeleteIn answer to your question, K@Aschcroft...
ReplyDeleteBC Hydro is the primary provider of electricity in British Columbia. They operate 30 hydroelectric facilities and three natural gas-fueled thermal power plants. About 80% of the province's electricity is produced by major hydroelectric generating stations on the Columbia and Peace rivers.
Hey Judy, Thanks for participating in the GIVE AWAY. I love your eclectic selection of books. Give E.G. a chance. Her books tend to start a little slow, but she builds up some lovely characters and throws in some great little gems of good old fashion wisdom. My first E.G. book was The Dean's Watch.
ReplyDeleteHope you win!
Oh and sorry about your power outage, makes you think huh?
I will have to check out your garden writer.
Hi..I wandered over here from In a Garden's blog. I read that John Grisham book. It's not so much about football as it is about this man's journey and the people he meets. It's so totally different from his "lawyerly" novels but is a cute story.
ReplyDelete