No Power = Little House on the Prairie

Growing up, our power used to go out all the time. We lived in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains where evergreens could snap power lines like a thread and scissors. So we got used to having no power. Papa always fired up the gas stove, and Lindsay and I were in charge of rounding up the spare candles. Mom always managed to make something delicious for supper even without the power.

My sister and I always used to play "Little House on the Prairie" when the power went out. I was older, so I was always Mary (before she went blind). Lindsay was Laura. We would prance around the house in our flannel nightgowns, holding candles, and then we'd race to my bed and get under the covers so we could tell stories by candlelight. We loved those nights of no power. If the power went out in the early afternoon, we'd race down the hill to go meet "Pa" (our dad) as he was coming home from town (his office) on his horse (in his Mercedes). He'd pick us up and we'd happily deliver the news that there was no power, and we'd ask him all about how "town" was that day. Dang, we were goofy.

Last night, Bear and I were flying solo in preparation for a much-anticipated windstorm. (Todd is still in Alaska.) We were supposed to be out for the evening, but our plans changed when the power started flickering. I didn't want to go out and then come home to a cold and power-less house. So we stayed in, kept the gas fireplace burning, and ordered Pagliacci pizza. (Well, I ordered pizza...Bear's still on his liquid diet. Ha.)

Pizza arrived nearly cold, as the pizzeria had lost power just a few minutes before my pie was done. And the driver, despite the most articulate and excellent directions they have on file for our house, got lost. So soggy and cold pizza by candlelight, but we were safe and warm.

MIL called a few times to see how we were doing, and SIL checked in on us as they drove past our house to get to her folks' house. They all wanted us to come and hang out in a warm house with power. But see, I like hanging out in a cold house without power once in a while. Bear was bundled, we had the fireplace roaring and the great room had the glow of many candles. So there was no need to leave. Funny how freaky-deaky people can get about not having power. I guess I'm just used to it.

But cold pizza really does suck.