Thursday, May 05, 2011

A Simplier Time

I've long since realized that I would be very happy with a simpler, but still modern way of life. Can our own food, but have running water. Make our own bread, with a stand mixer to knead. Use local, fresh veggies, but with internet access.

The great irony of the low tech/high tech dichotomy is that it is only through the high tech (the internet, blogs, etc) that I have begun to learn the low tech (canning, more than just the basics of cookings, finding good cookbooks).

So it was an interesting study, being without power for 4.5 days to examine the "simple" side of that equation.

The number one thing I did was bury my nose in a book. Mostly my PE exam prep book. I had gotten a bit behind on studying and I very nearly had my one week buffer back in place by the end of the four days. Thank goodness we had decided to furnish the sunroom first as it was both bright enough to read in and somewhat climate controlled (ie: it had a roof and we could open the windows for a cross breeze.)

The Great Tornadoes of 2011


We cooked on our little grill, even baking cookies so the dough balls we had in the freezer wouldn't go bad.

The Great Tornadoes of 2011


We went for walks and bike rides along our green belt where we marveled at how high the water level in the river was (it flooded the greenbelt)...

The Great Tornadoes of 2011


...and spotted some downed branches.

The Great Tornadoes of 2011


There was lots of wildlife out, enjoying the spring weather.

The Great Tornadoes of 2011


We took a morning off from the quiet to head to the Verizon Store

The Great Tornadoes of 2011


where they had brought in a generator and set up "charging stations" and were letting the public charge phones, laptops, etc.

The Great Tornadoes of 2011


Then it was back to our tranquil land of kitty naps.

The Great Tornadoes of 2011


In the evenings we played Scrabble...

The Great Tornadoes of 2011


...and Gin Rummy by candlelight.

The Great Tornadoes of 2011


And read by flashlight.

The Great Tornadoes of 2011


Not a bad way to spend a few days. Even if it did mean cold sponge baths (brrrr) and handwashing our clothes.

The Great Tornadoes of 2011

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