I would like to think I could survive a long time -- unfortunately, I would say only a week or so. 

Joan - LOL!! Three days is a REALLY long time! but there are times when down time is needed! Wouldn't renewables be a great alternative than relying on the utility companies?

Mary,  LOL on your story.  I'm telling.  :)  Just kidding.  Renewables ARE a good thing.  I was talking to some past clients this weekend about, well, everything.  We talked about how after Hurricane Rita,  which was just a few weeks after Katrina, Houston and in counties further north we had rolling blackouts to maintain the amount of electricity used when the elec. came on from being out for 3 days.  Hope that made sense.  (My parents has no elec. for 8 days)

Anyhow, rolling blackouts-no advanced notice.  You could be in the middle of cooking dinner and then BAM. No lights.  Sure would have been nice to have some renewable energy back then.  :)  If half of Houston Fed INTO the grid during the day....Wow.  Just imagine what that could do.  Ok, I'm awake.  :)

Stephanie - 8 days would be a long time! I can only imagine how much food was lost from fridge and freezers. What about people on life support? Where did they go? It still amazes me how far the reach of the hurricane was for people who didn't even get a direct hit. Yes. Renewables make sense! Good Morning! LOL

Mary...it'snot so much the electricity as it is heat. Losing electricity in the Winter is a bad thing especially for the home's systems!

Mary,

I guess we are REALLY LUCKY.  We have no heating or cooling system in our home, therefore we won't overheat or freeze EVER.  As for the power, since we make our own, we have to rely on ourselves.  Yesterday we had to generate power for the first time since last winter.  Due to a string of cloudy windless days, our batteries were really low and the laundry and power consuming chores had piled up.  By running the (gas) generator for 3 hours, I got caught up on it all, and charged the batteries.  Now we are praying for some wind, and it's starting to blow again.  We really love our windpower, even more than the solar power.... it charges up the batteries even at night.  The downside of yesterday was having to burn 3-4 gallons of gas.  The nearest gas station is 15 minutes away.  I guess that is our limiting factor.  Now if we could just start making our own methane or alcohol we'll have it made.  : )

I don't think we'll ever starve to death either.... there's always bananas and beef, and usually some other fruits too.

It was a year ago when they had the earthquake on the Big Island that shut down power throughout the state (glitch in system).  It was a little spooky... we could get news from the satellite TV, mainland stations, but not local stations.  We were able to call out on the cell phone to let others know what was happening.

Aloha - Georgie

Joan - great comment! You're right about that! Going without flushable toilets when the well pump doesn't workis also a pain! and I never realize how much water I drink until I don't have any!

Georgina - Thanks for the comments! I am very jealous! It is fantastic to hear your success story with wind power! It sounds like you are very self-sufficient! I love the ideas!

Mary~

One of the reasons I subscribe to your BLOG is right here in this story. You have a gift for telling stories that make me smile...and also that have a point. You are never boring, and always a good read.

NOW as to how long I might survive...IF I had good stories and good company, water, and a fireside to share...I could survive for a good-long spell...which is to say..maybe a few weeks... =)

JaneAnne - Thanks for the compliments! I like starting my day with a reason to smile!

In your scenerio it would be like a vacation, wouldn't it? A couple of weeks? Ah, return the sponge bath!!!

Good to hear from you, you have been missed! 

Wow, Mary, I guess I need to move to Hawaii!  My family wouldn't last too long up here in Petoskey without heat.  I have a fireplace, but it is more for show than for heat.  I have been thinking about putting a woodstove in the basement, though. . .

Hi Stefan - I think a couple of us in Michigan entertain thoughts of moving to Hawaii! LOL!

Check out the link on Michigan's website. You may find that Petoskey is in a good place to take advantage of the free wind energy available and install your own small wind generator! You can email me for more info!

Are you ready for the snow up there? Beautiful Indian Summer Day we had yesterday!!

thank heaven, power loss is not a common occurance - and usually lasts for 5 or 10 minutes - that is why I have a back-up for the computer -

B & BJ - computer back up is soo... important! I need to invest in a system one of these days! Loss of data is no fun! Thanks for the comments!

Mary,  Was that snowmobile photo from the 80's?  There was actually that much snow!

I have underground utilities and the power goes out all the time.  I don't mind the no power, but I have a well and a sewer ejector pump.  Of course there's always the fun of hauling buckets of water from the lake.

Peak color weekend in GR, hope you enjoy it.

Gary

Gary - doesn't all that snow look great! Once in a while we still get a nice deep snowfall in Northern Michigan. It is true, our weather has changed through the years.

Wow! Is it the grid that makes it go out? I must be lucky -- ours will usually flicker but stays on. City sewer and water here - my northern home is the one with the problem! I've been stuck there twice now for DAYS.. of course it's quite rural so we are usually last on the list for repairs and reconnect! Someday I will have solar and wind power so it won't bother me!

I have been down by the new race track - lots of green on the trees still and beautiful Indian Summer the past few days. I was commenting how the trees haven't changed much yet -- I love this time of year! 

Mary,  Sorry I was captivated by Jeff Turners tutorials.

I'm not sure if it's the grid or water getting into the line to the sub. Only the sub goes out, not surrounding area.

I doubt I could have either. Too many trees to the south. A small Costco turbine like the one Steve told us about might work.

Gary - not a problem! Jeff's tutorials are great! 

Interesting that only the sub goes out. Did you have weather tonight? We had some nice storms move through, I heard tornadoes touched down to the south. Odd weather for October but we've also had snow accumulate in October. This is Michigan after all.

My northern place could probably take advantage of wind -- would have to do something with trees for solar or put a panel out away from the house. Interesting to think of and dream though, isn't it? 

Mary,

It's always interesting to dream, especially in this market.

Hi Gary -

I am a true believer that Michigan will come back - it always does! I remember so many friends whose Dad's worked for the big 3 in the 70's and 80's going through the same troubles we are having now.

In my post Michigan - Come here to sail or participate in our sale I discussed how many opportunities we have in this state of ours. Despite the fact our government can't get it together right now I truly believe in my heart that this state and all the residents who remain will survive. 

Last night I read an anonymous poem. Here is an excerpt:

Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations,
because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge,
because it will build your strength and character.

This is our lovely state right now. Our opportunities for improvement are great and if I know my neighbors...we will build strength and character regardless of the light mainstream media wishes to shine upon us!

For me...I will wake up one day in my off the grid house with a view...have coffee from my wind generated electricity and then take a shower with water heated from the sun! and get on with my day....