What to Do During a Power Outage

Four days ago we had that magical thing called electricity. Since then we've learned how to live somewhat comfortably without it. Here are some tips should you ever lose the magic (and refuse, like me, to get the dreaded generator; I consider them to be obnoxiously loud and according to the number of accidents caused by them, somewhat dangerous).

Don't assume someone has already reported your power outage. Make the call yourself.

• Use a gas grill burner to heat water and food items.
• Place coffee in filter in coffee maker as usual, then pour hot water slowly over it into the carafe. You are manually doing what the coffee maker does. It tastes just as good.
• Tie a flashlight to the dining room light above your dinner table and play board games in the evening.
• Grill out nightly for dinner and cook items, such as hamburger, first that will spoil fastest. Invite the neighbors over or send them the excess food.
• Keep food items in large cooler and replenish ice each day.
• Keep radio ready with batteries so you can still enjoy some music when the silence is too much to bear.
• Give each family member a small LED flashlight to keep on them so that they can see when walking through the dark house.
• Charge cell phones in car when driving anywhere.
• Buy a ready-made hot roasted chicken for dinner, and make a tossed ceasar salad.
• Clean out the refrigerator. It will be nice to have a clean refrigerator to restock when the power returns.
• Visit Panera with your computer for internet access. Try their toasted "Everything" bagel or their 4 cheese souffle - so delicious!
• Go to the local library to use their computers, or to check out a few good books.
• Keep the upstairs windows open to let cool air in.
• Don't assume someone has already reported your power outage. Make the call yourself.

• Digital clocks
• Microwave
• Telephone service
• Charging cell phones in the house
• Doing the laundry
• Cooking with the toaster oven, stove-top, and oven
• Dishwasher
• Alarm clock
• Of course, the computer
• All game systems
• Television
• Automatic coffee
• Hair dryer and curling irons
• Air conditioning and fans
• LIGHT!!!