Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Necessities....

We learn through life that there are those things that are necessities for us to function.  For a moment, let's consider electricity.

When a severe storm is predicted, we always hope there will be no power outage from any possible damage caused by the storm.  Should we lose electricity here during cold months, our heating system would no longer operate!  That would lead to a cold house!  If the heat would be inoperable for a long enough time, and if the temperatures were cold enough, one of the effects might be frozen water pipes!

Should we lose electricity here during warmer months, our cooling system would no longer operate!  That would take me back to the years of my childhood when we had not even dreamed of something called "central air!" 

Notice I haven't mentioned that we wouldn't be able to cook.  We have a gas cooktop!  Of course, the igniter requires electricity to operate properly, though we are able to very carefully light it if needed during a power outage.  Also, there is a gas fireplace that would give a bit of warmth when turned on. 

What does losing electrical power bring about for you? 

Now, let's consider water!  Last Thursday morning, I had a few errands to complete, and I had my schedule full - with kitchen activities - when I returned home.  Imagine my dismay when I turned on the faucet to wash my hands before beginning my work in the kitchen and - there was no water!  I began thinking about all the things I had on my schedule!  How would I be able to complete them?  Well, a phone call to the water company indicated a leak in our area, workmen were on the job repairing it, and water service would be restored at some point.  Two hours later, the water was running from the faucet again, and I proceeded with my all-important schedule.:-)

It was during this time that I began to really appreciate the fact that all we need to do to have clean water available is just to turn on the faucet!   Do you know how many people around the world are not able to have that luxury?  What does losing your access to water bring about for you?

I quickly decided that losing water service was far more serious than losing electrical power, though some of my kitchen activities would have been curtailed with a power outage!

We take for granted that the light will come on when we turn the switch, and that the water will come out when we turn on the faucet.  I often wonder about our ancestors.  You know, the ones who came to settle Jamestown, Williamsburg, or Plymouth for instance.  Would I be able to live as they did?  What about you?

Just some thoughts brought about by an inability to have that water "at my fingertips!"

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.


11 comments:

  1. We are very blessed to have such a dependable and clean water supply, and I try not to take that for granted. I remember very well those years when we had to pump water from the cistern after it had been filtered through charcoal as it came down the gutters of the house. Oh, how I wish I had a nickel for every bucket I carried up the hill and the back porch steps into the kitchen! Yes, we are richly blessed! Have a most wonderful day, Sister!

    ReplyDelete
  2. We do live a very nice life and I know I do take the clean water and the electricity for granted.
    I did laundry yesterday all day and to think of doing all of that on a scrub board with water I carried to heat on a wood stove would be such a daunting task.
    Living where a earthquake could strike at any time, I like to think I am a bit prepared for that but I don't know for sure. It is always something to plan for and think about. Insightful post and I am glad you didn't have to go without water very long. Have a lovely day.

    ReplyDelete
  3. We do take a lot of things for granted nowadays! We don't have central air so it is only a worry for me when the power goes out for an extended period in the winter. We live in a drafty old house so it cools down really quick

    ReplyDelete
  4. An excellent post Nellie! During the tornado I was out of my home because of loss of power. My stove is electric and the gas furnace is operated by electricity.

    ReplyDelete
  5. H Nellie , what a great post , it makes people stop and think just how fortunate we are . Thanks for sharing :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh- I hear you. Being along the Bay we quite often lose power when others in the city do not. Our water, however, is pretty dependable so we are fortunate that way. It can really throw a monkey wrench in your plans when you lose either one of those services though.

    Hope you have a great day- I see you are just shy of 100 followers, Nellie! Whoo Hoooo...xo Diana

    ReplyDelete
  7. Water is essential, for sure! We had a horrible storm July 2011 and lost power for 5 days, very hot but we had water! I have an electric range so no cooking. This winter was so bitter cold and windy and of course, I thought many times about that week in July with no power, very scary! My ancestors came over on the Mayflower and I can't imagine what they went through to survive. They definitely had their challenges!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Nellie, When we lose power we have nothing...the water comes up from the ground with a pump(electric) So I always worry about power outages. We were blessed this year..only once did it go out for an hour. I would not be a good pioneer...ever ! xoxo,Susie

    ReplyDelete
  9. Sorry about the water problem.

    For us, living in a flood zone, we are able to function even when we get stranded and surrounded by water. We have a wood stove should the house get cold.
    We have a gas generator to run electricity to keep the fridge and freezer and a few lights , water and the radio going. We have our own deep well.

    We cook on the deck with a small Colman stove and we use the bar-b-q. I can cook stew or soup on the wood stove.

    But you are right, we do take all these commodities for granted.

    Hugs,
    JB

    ReplyDelete
  10. Oh, my goodness Nellie - no water! You're a brave woman to be so cheerful!

    ReplyDelete