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The Night The Lights Went Out In....(name your town!)

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Education & Training with GLREA

Living in a community with underground power lines we have rarely experienced in the past 17 years more than a half day without power. We have gas water heat and a gas range so it's not that big a deal...one can always bypass the electronic ignition on the range to eat and get a hot shower. No TV? No biggie..for me that is!

We did have one power outage that lasted three days when the straight line winds came through back in 1998. I'll never forget waking up at 2 am to my husband watching the TV through his eyelids in his recliner! Ah...but the power is out, remember? Crafty one he is he hooked a power inverter to his truck so he could watch TV. Fell asleep -- like always. At 2am the TV was still on and the truck still running to supply power to said TV! (oh! and he would kill me if he knew I publicly aired that story!!! As my daughter would say...that is on the DL...(down low!)

I shouldn't judge...I may just be the same without my PC!!!

In northern Michigan I have spent a few times without power...

michigan snowmo for days......

in the middle of a cold, windy Michigan Winter.

If you have enough candles, oil lamps and blankets it is not so bad. I have a woodstove to keep the chill off the lower level (berm home) but my favorite room upstairs gets chilly. It's ok for me....

Especially if hot flashes mean anything to you!!!

It is peaceful sitting by candlelight reading a book...No TV, no furnace kicking on, no ceiling fans blowing...no "white noise"

We have many Amish in the area by our cabin and they live without modern utilities daily. Yes, they have gas, but they survive with horse teams and bicycles...farming and sharing...putting goods up for the winter...

I oft envy their life....

What a peaceful existence.

One day...I will bring you pictures of the Amish in our area. You may click the link and see some of Andrew's work done in Manton, Michigan.

I'm curious?

How many days could you survive without electric?

How would your family do?

What would you do to supplement????

Do renewables sound like an alternative????

For Your Enjoyment:

Tanya Tucker: The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia...

Comments (20)
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Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services
I would like to think I could survive a long time -- unfortunately, I would say only a week or so. 
Oct 15, 2007 03:53 PM
Mary McGraw
GLREA - Rockford, MI
2015: Solar Energy Is Still A Simple Machine!
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?
Oct 15, 2007 03:57 PM
Stephanie Edwards-Musa
thredUP.com - The Woodlands, TX
knitwit at thred UP

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.  :)

Oct 15, 2007 11:34 PM
Mary McGraw
GLREA - Rockford, MI
2015: Solar Energy Is Still A Simple Machine!
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
Oct 16, 2007 01:11 AM
Joan Mirantz
Homequest Real Estate - Concord, NH
Realtor, GRI, CBR, SRES - Concord New Hampshire
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!
Oct 16, 2007 05:36 AM
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

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

 

Oct 17, 2007 09:59 AM
Mary McGraw
GLREA - Rockford, MI
2015: Solar Energy Is Still A Simple Machine!
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!
Oct 17, 2007 12:11 PM
Mary McGraw
GLREA - Rockford, MI
2015: Solar Energy Is Still A Simple Machine!
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!
Oct 17, 2007 12:16 PM
ASHEVILLE REALTY REFERRAL RESOURCE 828-776-0779
REAL ESTATE REFERRAL NETWORK - Asheville, NC
CONTACT janeAnne365@gmail.com

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... =)

Oct 18, 2007 12:24 AM
Mary McGraw
GLREA - Rockford, MI
2015: Solar Energy Is Still A Simple Machine!

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! 

Oct 18, 2007 12:39 AM
Stefan Scholl
Buyer's Broker of Northern Michigan, LLC - Petoskey, MI
Northern Michigan Real Estate
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. . .
Oct 18, 2007 01:06 AM
Mary McGraw
GLREA - Rockford, MI
2015: Solar Energy Is Still A Simple Machine!

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!!

Oct 18, 2007 01:25 AM
Barbara-Jo Roberts Berberi, MA, PSA, TRC - Greater Clearwater Florida Residential Real Estate Professional
Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL
Palm Harbor, Dunedin, Clearwater, Safety Harbor
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 -
Oct 18, 2007 02:39 AM
Mary McGraw
GLREA - Rockford, MI
2015: Solar Energy Is Still A Simple Machine!
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!
Oct 18, 2007 02:44 AM
Gary Smith
Agent Marketing Today - Commerce Township, MI

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

Oct 18, 2007 02:31 PM
Mary McGraw
GLREA - Rockford, MI
2015: Solar Energy Is Still A Simple Machine!

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! 

Oct 18, 2007 02:59 PM
Gary Smith
Agent Marketing Today - Commerce Township, MI

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.

Oct 18, 2007 03:08 PM
Mary McGraw
GLREA - Rockford, MI
2015: Solar Energy Is Still A Simple Machine!

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? 

Oct 18, 2007 03:33 PM
Gary Smith
Agent Marketing Today - Commerce Township, MI

Mary,

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

Oct 19, 2007 03:16 PM
Mary McGraw
GLREA - Rockford, MI
2015: Solar Energy Is Still A Simple Machine!

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....

 

Oct 19, 2007 04:29 PM
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