Being from Louisiana, I’ve lived with the fact that hurricanes are a given. I don’t live on the coast, but even with the Gulf five hours south, the aftermath of a weakening storm can wreck havoc. Laura did just that, though nothing like the damage to Lake Charles and the coastline. My small town stood in the direct northern path and received of rain and super strong winds. Round and round, knocking our power as she twirled and turned snapping everything in her tail.
Laura, Laura! I have friends named Laura. Don’t worry, it is still a beautiful name, as is Katrina.
What do you do when the water rises and the winds howl? When darkness covers your world?
Psalm 46:1-3 helps: God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!
I think any time power is out, a panic surfaces. It’s the power of the unknown, of uncertainty, of lack of comfort. Doesn’t that sound like what we have all been experiencing since March 2020? Here are a few things I did to relieve the tension and the discomfort:
1) Read—of yes…I relaxed in the drama of wonderful characters fighting their own struggles.
2) Wrote…there’s always a story or article waiting for life.
3) Cooked…being creative with gas burners.
4) Visited… with my parents and taking them hot water for teatime.
5) Talked…without TV or internet my husband and I had quality time together.
6) Picked up…loads of limbs and debris
All is well where I live. The strain only lasted 36 hours for me. I’m praying for those who are still experiencing hardships.
Marco, Laura, Katrina, Rita…whatever the storm, God has promised to be there in the midst.
What do you do when the electricity (no water or internet) is out?
I live in Northeast Louisiana and we had a little rain but a LOT of wind. Power was out a n.v d it was hot! We p li ayed board games with great grandkids.
On Thu, Sep 3, 2020, 8:05 AM Connect in Fiction with Marguerite Gray wrote:
> margueriteg2016 posted: “Being from Louisiana, I’ve lived with the fact > that hurricanes are a given. I don’t live on the coast, but even with the > Gulf five hours south, the aftermath of a weakening storm can reck havoc. > Laura did just that, though nothing like the damage to Lake ” >
Beautiful article! I read also in the daytime. I sit outside in the backyard at night. Lots of conversation. Cooking also on the gas stove. Making coffee the old fashioned way.
We don’t live where storms like that are common.
A few years ago we lived off of a major intersection in town and it wasn’t uncommon for a speeding car crash to take out our electricity.
Our youngest was elementary school aged and wasn’t attached to electronics.
We’d set up candles and enjoy each other’s company.
Cooking wasn’t affected, except that we’d try not to open the fridge for too long.
After dinner we’d play board games, or just sit outside and enjoy the evening.
We haven’t lost power in ages, but I still have a stash of emergency candles and we have many books and board games on hand.