Back To Reality

In the modern America, most of us are blessed so very much that we tend to take a lot for granted. We often fail to think about how good we have it. And then Mother Nature jars us back to reality.

The recent ice storm has put over a million homes without power, from Maine to Pennsylvania. And according to the power companies, we would be in a PollyAnna world to think we may have our power back by Monday. Some will - many will not.

Life without electricity in Maine, in December, can be a bit rough for most. Many are forced into crowded shelters. Others are sharing crowded space with relatives or friends. And some are simply "youghing it out", because they have no choice.

Without electricity, you cannot even pump water to flush toilets. And most heating systems require electricity.

And while you may think that folks like me, who have a generator, have it made, that is not entirely true, either. Generators require fuel, and the service stations do not have power, either, so getting fuel can be a chore in itself. An expensive chore.

So, we all get a small taste of what much of the world experiences every day. And as you ponder that, take a moment to be thankful for all this great country makes available to us in America. The next time you get angry, caught up in traffic, take a moment to be thankful you can even BE in traffic, because it could be worse - many peoples in other countries still travel by ox and cart - if they are wealthy enough to own an ox.

But reality also has a bright side. During periods that the jenny is down, cooling off to be refilled, we pop some corn, then our little family can sit around playing board games - something we have not done for a LONG time. We get to sit and talk. We play card games. We we break out the wax and wicks and make candles together. And in the evening, the little woman and I can be romantic by candlelight.

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.

Hope all of you are well, and not too awfully inconvenienced by this little escapade.

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