The power went out while my nephews were here enjoying a spot of Wii gaming. They weren't altogether thrilled at having their screen time curtailed, but once they realized there wasn't anything I could do about it, we settled down for a cutthroat game of Parcheesi.
What really cracked me up were the things they didn't realize I couldn't do for them. "Can we have some macaroni and cheese?" I keep Annie's organic microwavable mac and cheese on hand, so normally that's a no-brainer of a snack, but I explained that if the power was out, the microwave wouldn't work. Could I bake this cookie mix into cookies? No power. After I vetoed a couple more impossible suggestions, and plyed them with what reasonably healthy cold snacks I had on hand, inspiration struck. "Would you like a pizza? I could order a pizza!"
Yes, they would love a pizza. But instead of being able to walk over to my computer and order online, as I usually do, I had to find the phone book and look up the number. I was over by the window, running my fingers down the fine print when power returned.
And there was much rejoicing. And I fixed macaroni and cheese.
It is amazing the amount of things that we think of doing when the power goes out. Things like reaching for the laptop to go online because the laptop is charged, only to realize the wifi router needs power. I use the bbq to cook if the power goes out for long. It has a side burner so I can even make mac and cheese. But it becomes more interesting if it is -30 outside.
I have read all your books (some several times) and own most of them. I can't wait for the next one. Please don't stop writing
Posted by: Brenda Kirton | December 31, 2011 at 04:13 PM
This is why I keep a telephone book around.
Posted by: KrisL | January 01, 2012 at 01:27 AM
Well, I have one too . . . somewhere. But reading its fine print in the gathering gloom wasn't something I wanted to try.
Posted by: Donna Andrews | January 02, 2012 at 09:51 AM