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When the lights go out, you learn who you really are inside.  Are you strong?  Are you brave?  Are you ready to take on the world and conquer this problem head on?  Or are you…

Whiny.

I am whiny.  Whine, whine, whine.  I discovered that I am so spoiled rotten to modern conveniences that I reach for them automatically.  Who-da thunk it.

I mean, I lived “off the land” back in the 70’s like any self respecting former faux hippie-type person.  I’ve heated and cooked by woodstove.  I’ve had to haul water when the pipes froze.  I’ve been several days without electricity and burned up all my expensive candles.  I have had other amazing and interesting hope never to repeat back-to-nature adventures I’d never have dreamed of experiencing since I’m a city-slicker at heart.

Yes, I can split wood with the best of them – not that I really want to ever, ever again.

So when the recent high wind storms hit us and the lights went out, I was prepared.  Candles?  Check.  Batteries?  Check.  Flashlights?  Check. Oil and oil-filled lamps?  Check.  Wood for the fireplace?  Check.  Goose down comforter for warmth in the evening?  Check.  Ability to heat my tea water and cook on the propane gas grill?  Check.  Able to live without the microwave?  Scratch.

Man.  You don’t realize how addicted to the microwave you are until you can’t use it.  I can’t tell you how many times I either reached up to use it, or thought about using it since we didn’t have electricity to power the electric stove.

When the lights went out, I had clothes in the washer ready for the dryer – they had to wait and that didn’t bother me.

When the lights went out, I had clothes in the dryer in the middle of a drying cycle – they had to wait and that didn’t bother me.

When the lights went out, I had dishes in the sink waiting to be washed from breakfast – they had to wait and that didn’t bother me.

I had a refrigerator defrosting, a freezer we kept an eye on, and chilly nights – none of that bothered me.

Reaching up to the microwave to reheat some tea and having that “duh” moment – that bothered me.  Thinking I’d heat up some broccoli for lunch and duh! – that bothered me.

I missed my microwave – a lot.  I’m so attached that if they ask the question, “If you could only take one thing with you on a deserted island” I’d say, “Microwave!”  Yeah, yeah, I know – no electricity.

Although it was a peaceful (and romantic) time sitting around by candlelight in front of the fireplace with hubby, as soon as the lights popped on I rushed into the kitchen to heat up some water in the microwave.

Man, I’m addicted.

Maybe I need help!  But I sure enJOY my life – and microwave!

How about you?  What do you miss when the lights go out?