What To Do When The Power Goes Out
Family, Just Good Stuff | Posted by Jannie on 8 September 2009 @ 7:17 AM 67 Comments
Wednesday a big storm knocked out our power from 6:30 to 9:30. p.m.
After the initial shock of no t.v., computer or microwave meatballs wore off, we tried conversation — yes, actual human-to-human interaction (weird, I know). It felt kinda neat, like we were pioneers or cave people or something. We were even reading books! I’d heard of books. They are quite lovely.
As thunder bullied, lightning taunted and water flooded our garage again, oy (Jim’s working on a new drain,) we roasted “spider dogs” * on a screwdriver over 5 candles. I ate four, ’cause the potentially life-or-death emergency called for stored up motherly Meat Power!
As a little kid I loved storms too. Candles. Sandwiches. Beer. Ahhh, good family times sitting around the kitchen watching the light show back on the hill, we kids always a little scared, but Mom’s ever-present quiet smile reassuring us we were safe.
How ’bout you? Any power outage or storm stories to share?
Ever been camping during a storm?
Ever been hit by lightning?
Ever eat a spidie dog?
* A spider (spidie) or “octopus” dog is a wiener you slice the ends into the shape of +signs. (I did a bad job of cutting those in the dark.) When sliced correctly the ends curl up real cool-like during roasting.
Nothing but the finest of delicacies for my family!
And now, everybody – to the tune of Spider Man, sing…
Spidie dog, spidie dog…
Straight from a cow, not from a hog.
Can you munch them? Listen man,
You can munch them from a frying pan.
Life is a great big hang-up.
Wherever there’s a hang-up
You’ll find some spidie dogs.
For all your hotdog purposes, I recommend these…
On 8 September 2009 at 7:43 am Lance said,
Jannie,
Mmmmm….those spidey dogs look delicious! Next time you’re planning a little outage party, let me know!!
So there was this time we were camping. Walt Disney World, during Hurricane Wilma. We were evacuated from the campground. I wanted to stick it out, but camp rangers forced us out and into a hotel. Somehow we survived…and now it’s a great family memory!
Beer during the storm…hmmm….you might be onto something here, Jannie!
On 8 September 2009 at 8:12 am teahouseblossom said,
Mmmm..spidie dogs!!! Glad you guys survived the blackout and had good family bonding time. When I was a kid, blackouts always prompted my sister and me to pretend we were characters from Little House on the Prairie.
On 8 September 2009 at 8:13 am Lynn said,
Mmmmm – a hot dog cooked outside is just the best. And now there is the tempting thought that you could do it over candles! That looked like a lot of fun, my friend. (I totally sang the spidie dog song in my head just now.)
There was a winter storm that hit the south a few years ago – my power was out for 3 1/2 days. I could go to work, but at home when one is single and the power is out – oh my. Boredom set in – I called everyone I know. I told my neighbor that next time I am willing to be taught Bridge if that happens.
On 8 September 2009 at 8:17 am Jim Gaudet said,
I love it when the power goes out, which can be quite frequent here in Costa Rica. For me, I use that time to relax and know that there isn’t anything I can do, so just accept it.
It’s great..
On 8 September 2009 at 8:25 am Glenn Buttkus said,
Sunday we got hit with about nine thunder storms, punctuated with about 50 sun breaks. Melva and I
had gone for a ride over toward Mt. Rainier. There is a town called Packwood, where at the Cruiser Tav one can get chicken gizzards and dynamite pizza. It is four hours of mountain driving, hemmed in by dark forests.
We drove through what later was called an “almost” tornado on the way home. Several years ago on vacation
we were driving from Arkansas through the edge of Louisiana, and a huge tornado hit about five miles from our highway; darkness at noon, and raining so hard we
had to pull over, hold hands and pray, listening to the
tornado warnings on the radio. We had a hell of a blizzard in the Northwest like 20 years ago, and I was single then, and we were out of power for a week. No hot water, no electricity, camping out inside. I finally caved in and came to work for my showers. We have a resident program for veterans here, and the VA has its own generators, so I shaved and cleaned up here for several days. Then five years ago July we were driving near Kingman, AZ and a sandstorm thunderstorm hit that cumulated in a flash flood; that was a scary time too.
Spider dogs with Hebrew National franks. Kelly looks like she is really into it. Did you have any transistor radios or ipods or whatever to hear the news or get some tunes?
Glenn
On 8 September 2009 at 9:05 am Talon said,
I haven’t had a spidey dog in ages! Love Kelly’s concentration – she obviously cooks a mean spidey!
There’s something wonderfully peaceful (after the storm passes, of course, and you adjust to the idea of having to make your own entertainment) about a power failure and it’s a reminder that once in a while we need to really stop and reconnect on a basic level.
I have a storm experience that haunts me to this day. A violent storm five years ago while I was home alone with the pets – six lightning strikes within a twenty foot radius of the house. Lost power, split two trees and blew the bark right off another 20 foot chestnut tree, appliances, phones, computer and nearly my mind. It’s the reason why our lovely Riley (German Shepherd) is now terrified of storms. He never used to turn a hair. The sound of the lightning still reverberates in my head. I used to love storms, now I’m nervous about them. Ironically, the last two summers have been comprised of storm upon storm…
On 8 September 2009 at 9:29 am Betsy Wuebker said,
Hi Jannie – When Pete and I were first dating it seemed like everywhere we went we got caught in a downpour. There was one memorable deluge when we couldn’t find our vehicle in a ginormous parking lot for about a half hour. We stopped at a restaurant — okay, we went to the bar part, but it IS a restaurant — and left puddles on the floor. I had to dry my hair under the hand dryer in the ladies room.
Another storm story is when we were camping, and riding our bikes back from the bath house. Instant downpour. Riding your bike on a dark dirt path in a thunderstorm when you have no idea of where you need to go, then ditching the bike and diving into the tent to watch the all night light show through the canvas all night. Good stuff!
On 8 September 2009 at 9:44 am Dot said,
I’ve had many experiences with power outages, since we get thunderstorms here all summer. The worst one, though, was due to an ice storm — 2-1/2 days without power. I tried reading by flashlight, a light attached to the brim of a baseball cap, candles and hurricane lamps. Actually, I started collecting hurricane (oil) lamps after that and I still have them, but don’t use them any more (allergies act up).
Since we have so many outages, I bought two cheap (eBay) candlesticks that hold 5 candles each. Haven’t had to use them since I bought them. Hmm.
As for Hebrew National, I always buy them, because most hot dogs contain powdered milk to boost the protein content, and I’m lactose intolerant. Hebrew National contains no dairy. It wouldn’t be kosher.
On 8 September 2009 at 10:56 am J.D. Meier said,
Sweet … a new spidie dog tune to hum on the way to work.
I grew up on a lake so storms were always a treat, especially the light shows over the water. I loved how our calm lake could shift to a raging sea.
On 8 September 2009 at 11:01 am Aimee said,
“I ate four, ’cause the potentially life-or-death emergency called for stored up motherly Meat Power!” – ha ha!!
I have never roasted hot dogs over candles, but now I have a blackout dinner idea, thanks! Maybe after a few more outages you could put together a little survival cookbook for us all, what do you think?
On 8 September 2009 at 11:16 am Jannie said,
Lance: How did you KNOW I planned that outage?? Did you see me sneak in to that transformer station and cut all those wires? I should’ve dressed all in black and not the florescent yellow as I did. I will next time! And wow, Hurricane Wilma, that must’ve been really something. I’ve never been in a hurricane. Beer is good. Anytime. But in Canada kids aren’t allowed it until they turn 6 – darnit!
Teahouse: Yes, Little House On The Prairie. I read the whole series to Kelly this past year, a few chapters a time at bedtime. It’s truly truly an epic masterpiece. The Long Winter has stuck with me most — how they had only wheat and water to live on for 2 months. And had to burn twisted up hay for warmth. Incredible. And humbling when we think of of how blessed we are today. And why I am I suddenly ravenous?
Lynn: 3 add 1/2 days, that’s a feat. I am reminded of ice storms that sometimes leave left much of Canada and many Northern States without power. A few years ago I think some had the power off for weeks. There is a lot to be said for wood stoves. Bridge, eh? My parents play a lot of cards with their friends.
Jim: What’s the longest you’ve been without power? Costa Rica. My husband very much wants to go there. We had a chance to a few years ago on free last-minute tickets but my passport was expired and my new one not yet here.
Hopefully your fine country won’t be going anywhere.
Glenn: I am eating chicken gizzards as I type this! Sauteed in bran flakes and prune peelings. Yes, there is something to be said for showers – lately I’ve taking them almost weekly. We had a tornado here on our street once, it picked up some kid’s skate board and moved it 20 feet! Sheer hell. Nope we didn’t have any radio batteries. Might be a good idea to stock up on D-cells. And beer.
Talon: I wonder if spidie dogs are a Canadian thing? My sister introduced me to them this summer and I loved on those, coffee and Mr Big bars for 2 whole weeks! Had never heard of spidie dogs here. That must’ve been terrifying, that storm. When the thunder and lightening cooincide that’s serious. I’m so sorry to hear of what you had to go through and your understandable fear that continues. I am so glad you were not hurt. We did have a tree split next door a few years ago. I was standing at the kitchen sink and KA-BOOM! Could feel the electricity running through me too. Mother Nature can be a humbling force to reckon with.
Betsy: Thrilling, for sure. Glad you were not hurt either. Did your tent leak? That is the absolute worst. Well, sleeping in wet bedding – that’s the worst camping thing, I think. Sometimes in broad sunny daylight I can’t find my car in a parking lot for 30 minutes. What’s wrong with me?
Dot: So you first-hand know about ice storms. I bet your lamps are pretty. My mom collects old kerosene lamps, has some cute little ones. (I noticed this summer just what cute stuff Mom has collected, I used to think her yard-sale treasure were junk, but little did I know.) I love the taste of the Hebrew National. And of course, I’m a bit of an admirer of Jewish things anyway.
J.D. And are you singing it to your co-workers now? Just breaking into song there at Microsoft, much to your colleague’s surprise and delight? You musta got a lot of lake effect snow too?
Aimee: It was actually my first time cooking over candles! Well, three things in my power outage survival cook-book. Spidie dogs, beer and chocolate, preferably Mr Big’s. Even if the latter can’t be frozen, they still come in handy in a pinch.
In the still of the night
when the power is out….
On 8 September 2009 at 11:44 am cinderkeys said,
There’s nothing like a power outage to make you realize exactly how dependent you are on the stuff that runs on electricity. They’re kind of fun, though. A reminder that humans haven’t conquered all of nature quite yet.
On 8 September 2009 at 12:04 pm Avani Mehta said,
We wait for power to go out. The entire family gets together in living room to play one of our favorite games – Antakshari (it involves singing songs). We can play this one day and night. And yeah we do know that many songs as well. So it’s fun. Have made some great memories.
On 8 September 2009 at 1:00 pm Barbara Swafford said,
Hi Jannie,
Wah! I’ve missed out as I’ve never heard of spidie dogs.
We had a huge thunder, lightening, rain storm not that long ago. The lights went out for a short time. We sat at the kitchen table in the dark and watched the light show – Ah, the power of nature. Love it.
On 8 September 2009 at 1:05 pm Mama Zen said,
Remember Jiffy Pop popcorn? I remember making that on the gas stove during power outages when I was a kid.
On 8 September 2009 at 2:47 pm K said,
Great photos.
I used to love when the power would go out when I was a kid. It always felt like an adventure.
On 8 September 2009 at 3:45 pm Patricia said,
My kids love power outages, and one ice storm over the Winter holidays our exchange student from Finland loved that we ate all the ice cream for the church Christmas Eve party because we did not want it to melt!
We had spidey dogs as a kid – my parents came to US via Canada – they were great fun camping.
I was in the NW with Glenn and JD this past weekend, when I understand some of our neighbors had lots of tree damage and power outages over the holiday. We just had tons of rain and an opportunity to cozy up and read.
I was at the theater watching the First Parent Trap movie when we had a typhon – came right down mail street. My dad got all the children home safe and sound, but my neighbor lost both her parents when a tree feel on their car.
Mt. St. Helen’s blowing up was a very dark and dusty experience to survive also…
neat post…oh meaty mom
On 8 September 2009 at 3:47 pm Patricia said,
two major typo to add to the list Main Street and fell not feel That is what happens when I take a day off from the computer !
On 8 September 2009 at 3:51 pm tammy said,
Love it.
My boys think anytime the power goes out, it’s an adventure. The last time it happened here it was summer (in AZ) so it got really warm, really fast, so we set out in the car to see how widespread the power outtage was. We ended up at the local Burger King about 5-6 miles away, riding the storm out until the power went out there too. I think I like your spidey dog idea better. And I’ve since learned to have battery operated fans around so we can at least try and sleep when it goes out, but anytime a really bad storm starts I want to turn the a/c down really low to make it cold in case the power goes out.
On 8 September 2009 at 4:07 pm Ana said,
Wow, what an adventure that looks and sounds like. Seems like you ladies made the best use of your time. I am happy that you had a feast with the ’spidie dogs’. Those fellows look like a real treat.
This kind of experience always reaches out to who we really are, underneath the materialism of every day life. It’s good to have a moment like this, once every while. Makes us appreciate the simple things, the important moments.
All our power cuts have been different here. Since moving to our recent house, we have had our fair share. Mainly due to the unefficiency of the power supply around here. Storms are rare, and when one is in season the power doesn’t always go. What does, are trees.
When I lived in Portugal, our main power supply was a log fire and candles and it was the greatest advantage I felt. We didn’t get any storms where I grew up, only of course if we were by the sea, but that did never happen. I too find storms soothing and appreciate the season for them.
A very happy day to you, and your most beautiful daughter.
I love the photos of her, and of you too, when we do get a peek of you.
On 8 September 2009 at 4:43 pm Jannie said,
I just remembered it’s Tuesday! No Kung Fu tonight. I’ve got 15 minutes extra in my life now to go absolutely WILD with, thus me here answering your comments.
Cinderkeys: Exactly! That we are so dependent on our modern ways was fully evident in Laura Ingalls Wilder’s “The Long Winter”, as the heating coal and groceries could not be brought in for the winter doe to snowed-over train routes.
Avani: Sounds like you guys should just shut off the main power once in a while and get down with the singing!! You guys have the spirit going on there, wonderful times. Keep it up.
Barbara: Well, I’m hearing spidie dogs are a Canadian thing. But now you have the complete recipe!
Yes, the power of nature. And I thank my blessing we’re not caught up in that big storm on Mars, you know that red spot. Whew!
Mama Zen: How frig – that is your longest comment ever!! yes, I think you can still get Jiffy Pop some places, can’t you? I remember seeing it in some funny movie spoof or on John Stewart that a car airbag inflated as a giant Jiffy Pop one. Cute!
K: Yeah a total adventure. And thanks for popping in. I hope you and baby bump are well.
Patricia: Eating that ice cream would be just heavenly as a kid! And as an adult too! Ah ha another spidie dog Candian connecton. I feel as if I should present a research paper now on the Canada Spidie Dog Connection. Might make a great documentary movie too. Will you star? I’ll interview you? And hey geez, I can take you, JD, Glenn and Lane all in at one time — 4 blogger visitations for the price of one. Who else is up in your neck of the woods? And Patricia, you only get mail on one street in your town? How stingy! But more seriously, that was a serious bummer about your neighbor’s parents and the tree. And the St Helen’s thing. I bet you were right in the thick of that. Man Incredible stories we all share.
Tammy: Yes, it can be a real adventure for kids for sure! Ooo, your Burger King story reminds me of when the power went out at Whole Foods as we were eating in a booth. Such a reverent hush fell over the entire place. I understand fully what you say about trying to conserve your cold in the nz summer pre-storm time. Not yet been to nz, maybe I will ride in on a Jannie Tea-Party Express sometime, eh? Go State-to-State visiting all my buds.
Ana: Oh, firewood does sound great. Drawn once again to Laura Ingalls Wilder, and the very first book in the series, Little House In The Big Woods. I could live like that. Could I just please have Internet there, please?
And yes, being the highly mysterious enigma that I am does pose a bit of a Jannie sighting quest for my readers. 
ACTUALLY i’LL HAVE A FEW PHOTOS OF ME IN whoops, in a post next week or the week after. 
And of I go to fluff my bangs, put on a dash of mascara and get my loot for a burger and shake!
On 8 September 2009 at 5:03 pm Susan Helene Gottfried said,
Yes, I’ve been camping in a thunderstorm. Remind me to tell you that story one day… it’s a good one.
On 8 September 2009 at 6:43 pm G said,
I love Hebrew National. Don’t buy them a lot because they’re so expensive.
Only one storm story to speak off. The day I spent at the hospital in June, we got whacked with a wicked thunder/wind storm in my town. Bit funky watching the superball sized hail drop to the ground, and listening to the tree branches fall onto the roof. Fortunately didn’t live in the town next door where a tornado hit.
On 8 September 2009 at 7:35 pm Vered - Blogger for Hire said,
We don’t have many power outages here, but when we did have one, we did pretty much the same, except that we roasted marshmallows over the candles.
Power outages are a great opportunity to disconnect from this damn computer.
On 8 September 2009 at 9:35 pm Jan said,
Jannie,
You bring back wonderful memories of losing power, not only as a kid, but as a young mom. It would always happen in the coldest part of winter when my children were toddlers, so we’d make beds in front of the fireplace and use sterno to warm up soup and hot chocolate. Roasted a few marshmallows and hotdogs indoors, too, as a I recall. Though I don’t eat meat now, we preferred Koegel Viennas (kosher, all beef dogs…). So I hope your power is on by now, oh, gosh, it must be unless you are working on battery! I hope you enjoyed your hiatus from the technoworld and snuggled up in love…
On 9 September 2009 at 2:08 am Robin said,
Hi Jannie – we LOVE your CD – and I love the scarf! But I am writing to you all properly, soon – I’ve had difficulty coming back to earth after being a Mum’s for so long.
We had a blackout a while ago at about the same times – it was all excting, and sort of disappointing when the power came back on. We were just getting organised to make some dinner (somehow) when it came on – I must say we hadn’t thought of cooking hotdogs over candles. Beaut pics.
On 9 September 2009 at 6:50 am Matthew Dryden said,
Mmmm…I’ll remember that when the power company gets upset at me.
On 9 September 2009 at 6:56 am Jannie said,
Susan: Okay, I’m reminding you now!
G: Yes, they are on the pricey side, but darn tasty. Jim often has 2 with Ezekiel bread for brekkie. Now how big are your superball size hail? I’ve witnessed the size of small lemon ones here.
Vered: “This damn computer,” I know the feeling. I was totally in withdrawls those first few days in Canada. But it was actually quite enjoyable once I got used to it. Kelly didn’t want to roast any marshmallows this time because she ate so many in Canada she was sick of the extreme sweetness.
Jan: That was funny, your comment went into moderation. Are the blog gremlins afoot again? I now just remebered one winter day when Kelly was just 5 months old. Our heater was out. Now mind you it does not really get that cold here in Austin but we did stay huddled for a day near the fireplace, cozy yes. I had forgotten about that. All’s well now, actually waiting for cooler temps to come back.
Hey – there’s Matthew! Matthew, don’t tell anyone but I was so immersed in my new-found love of blogging that last December we had our power cut off! Was off for 2 hours. Yep, Jim was soooooooo mad at me. But he got over it!
Robin: Ooo, I’m so glad the scarf worked out for you! It was a gift to Kelly from the grandmother of one of her Chinese friends and she said “Mom, the colors are so not me.”
When our power finally returned Kelly wanted to play on computer but no, it was bedtime.
On 9 September 2009 at 7:10 am sheila said,
LOVE Hebrew National dogs! I even like when the power goes out (for short spurts) And yes, we’ve roasted dogs over the fireplace before. In fact, when we had that 3 day black out a few years ago? We cooked all meals via fireplace or grill. But 3 days was WAY too long.
On 9 September 2009 at 8:48 am Jeanne said,
Big storms is on the list of “a few of my favorite things” — because my parents did what you did: made an event out of even the roughest hurricanes (New Orleans)!
When we get hit with power outages, the most amazing things can happen — we scramble to make the most of the adventure, (beer or no beer). We find ways to keep close to each other and feel safe and have fun. What I think really happens is this: when the power goes out, our Light goes on. We are just so great
.
On 9 September 2009 at 9:34 am Tess The Bold Life said,
Jannie,
No I’ve never heard of spidie dogs, but that’s why I come to your blog. I need to keep up with what’s going on in our world!
I’m going to try them but I need turkey dogs cuz I don’t eat red meat.
I hate power outages especially in the winter in Michigan. It’s frickin freezin and dark. Yuck…but maybe I don’t like them because I never got the beer out!
I’ll take a photo of my spidie dog and post it in the future! So then I can be like you who get’s a ton of people visiting their blog. LOL
On 9 September 2009 at 11:19 am Jannie said,
Sheila: Yeah, 3 days could seem like a month with no power. I think the longest we’ve even gone is that 3 hours!
Jeanne: I just read over at Dot’s how you live in an RV — freaking cool, Woman!!! I admire how you got down to the BONES of living. A nd ooo, you just gave me tingles over that whole “When the power goes out, our light goes on,” thing. That rocks.
Tess: So… did you SING the song?? And you thought Jannie Funster was only for entertainment — probably never suspecting you’d learn about important life-shaking things like spidie dogs over here. I never checked to see if Hebrew National makes turkey dogs, If they do, they will probably be of good tasty-ness on the palate. Or tongue, I guess, to be precise. Do you have wood heating as an alternate there, Tess? Beer – when in doubt, go for it.
On 9 September 2009 at 11:57 am Evita said,
Is this going to sound weird… I love power outages, because they force us to live more naturally. There are no lights, no tv, no washing machines, etc…
It is just time to “be”… and that is a scary concept for many today. But I think we so need time to get back in touch with ourselves, to not be afraid of being alone with ourselves and our thoughts.
But no, no power outages here for a long, long time….
On 9 September 2009 at 12:04 pm Nadia - Happy Lotus said,
Hi Jannie,
I love how you found beauty and fun in a power outage. Many people would be miserable and complain but you found joy. That is awesome.
As for me, when we lived in India for 6 months, we had power outages daily and sometimes more than 3 times a day. It was kind of cool to sit in the dark and just hear the silence of nature. We would use that time to tell funny jokes or stories or whatever came to mind about why the power went out and what was going on. It was so much fun.
On 9 September 2009 at 12:56 pm Dr. J said,
Storms and days without power are a way of life in my neck of the woods
On 9 September 2009 at 1:10 pm Thomma Lyn said,
Hebrew National hot dogs are scrumptious!
And we have power outages here from time to time because of storms, but our most memorable was back in January of 1998, the last time we got a huge pile of snow. It was heavy, wet snow, and the power was out for four days. Hubby and I had a great time. It was like pioneer days. We kept warm with a kerosene heater, used lanterns to light our way, made cowboy coffee on our camp stove. There was so much snow, we didn’t have to worry about the contents of our fridge or freezer — we just buried stuff in the snow. We had so much fun that we were disappointed when the power finally came back on!
xoxoxo xoxoxo
On 9 September 2009 at 2:36 pm Paige said,
well crapy doo I put my Hot Dog comment in the depressing section below so here for your viewing pleasure a re-post of the comment to the correct post it was in response to.
Hebrew Dogs are the bestest ever!
Ok here is my storm camping story… long story soooo I’ll save it for a post but to satisfy y’alls curiosity….It was bad, really—really bad and I survived to tell about it. Yeah I survived to tell about it one of these days when I have no electricity but yet have battery power on my laptop.
Way to go with hot dogs on a stick, I mean screwdriver. lol
On 9 September 2009 at 2:55 pm Heather Kephart said,
Your daughter looks so much like you, Jannie! Beautiful!
What a wonderful idea those spidey dogs are. I can’t wait to take the kids camping and do all that fun stuff. I usually enjoy our power outages. The only one I did not enjoy was a couple of days before Christmas in a snowstorm, with Lily being 6 months old. I always wonder why we don’t live like this more often. Then, gratefully, the power returns and the bells and whistles change and the noise pulls us away from each other into distracted little ADD mosh pits and all is normal again.
On 9 September 2009 at 3:19 pm Jannie said,
I am about to step away from the blog for perhaps eons and eons, like maybe HOURS.
On 9 September 2009 at 4:24 pm Chris Edgar | Purpose Power Coaching said,
Wow, that sounds like great book material — you could write the next Clan of the Cave Bear or something. I’ve never had spidie dogs, but I’ve had my share of Inadvertently Cajun-style Dogs (ICDs) due to incompetent cooking.
On 9 September 2009 at 4:46 pm Shay said,
I never heard of spider dogs, but like Mama Zen, I remember Jiffy Pop.
There is an award for you at Objets D’art, in case you missed my email.
On 9 September 2009 at 6:43 pm Bulldog said,
I, on the other hand, go to the garage, flip a switch or two, and start the backup generator.
When one lives in SE Virginia, one can spend much time in the dark.
Spideydogs sound good, though.
On 9 September 2009 at 6:48 pm Yaya said,
You grill hot dogs on candle flame?? Love it!
On 9 September 2009 at 7:21 pm Karen said,
I was just going to ask what spidie dogs were!
I remember once when we had flooding and the lights went out. My daughter was around 15 at the time and her boyfriend was visiting. You run out of things to talk about to 15 and 16 year old kids! LOL We were not about to leave them alone.
On 9 September 2009 at 7:43 pm Momisodes said,
You are cracking me up with your motherly meat power.
What fun! My mom never did things like that. My brother and I just fought over the 1 flashlight we had in the house.
I am totally whipping out Spidie dogs next time the power goes out.
On 9 September 2009 at 7:44 pm Zeenat{Positive Provocations} said,
Yum yum….such fun in the candle light. Candle light franks and all that jazz
In India especially where i live in pune…the power goes quite often. Our favorite pass time during these times is indeed ‘conversation’. That thing we do little of if the tv or computer is on. Our second fav pass time is telling ghost stories…thats ofcourse if my little one has already gone to bed. Dont wanna scare her na
On 9 September 2009 at 11:21 pm MiaHysteria said,
I love it! Now of course, I’m going to have the Spidie Dog song in my head….and I’m going to bed. Probably not gonna sleep now.
I’m wondering how long it took to cook the dogs. I too love storms. LOVE storms. Never been hit by lightning though…hope that one never happens – though it might get the Spidie Dog song out of my head once and for all. LOL.
On 10 September 2009 at 12:56 am Rhett said,
Spidey dog complete with a song to sing ‘em while ye eat ‘em. Great! Well power-cuts always give the feeling of family — as though life gave you a small break so you can say hi to one another in the candle light, isn’t it? BTW, may I just say that again — your kid is so pretty.
On 10 September 2009 at 1:08 am Carla said,
I love storms!!! There was a big one that went by while I was at the hot springs last week. Couldn’t have been more perfect.
On 10 September 2009 at 1:16 am Rhett said,
Spidey dogs and a song to sing ‘em when you eat ‘em. Great! BTW, may I say that again – your kid is so pretty.
Prettier than lightening and prettier than rain
Your kid is so pretty and I’ll say it again!
On 10 September 2009 at 3:52 am SnaggleTooth said,
Well a big ass is better than a wize ass, BB!
I ‘member 5.5 days of nada after Hurricane Bob here in ‘92. Worst part was tossong the frig food afyer 2 days, but will eat cold food from cans if I have to. Hunger does that…
I like to freak-out the neighbors with little battery-op TV in power outs- but now with the digital take-over, don’t even know if the sound will come in on it, or the radio. Got plenty of batts, lights, n candles- am prepaeed after being a G-scout for 10 years-
Lights out is for practicing guitar in the blind, a humbling experience.
Never heard of the Spidey dogs before- good concept, n song.
On 10 September 2009 at 3:55 am SnaggleTooth said,
However am pretty tired n NOT prepared for all my Rypos!
On 10 September 2009 at 6:48 am Jannie said,
Good morning! Good morning!
Evita: I love the idea of getting back in touch with ourselves, of living simpler, but it would take a lot of soul-searching for me to be able to live without electricity on a permanent basis. I like the idea of solar panel energy, tho. We’re going to install them in Canada when we do up our house there.
Nadia: Well, I don’t think I complained (very much!) What you say about living in India with daily power outages, I guess it would become a normal course to adapt to. That would be fun to make up wild tales about what happened to the power! Maybe the guy at the bakery was cooking with all his ovens on at once and he blew the fuse! Stuff like that? My husband is so funny at making up stuff like that.
Yo Dr. J: Super-cool to see you popping in. Thanks for the funstering support. I went to your site and will be back there, of course to read and comment. I like how you have those 3 Google skyscraper image ads running head-to-toe in your right sidebar. Looks cool. Florida, I see! I guess you really plan ahead and keep things stocked up there.
Thomma Lyn: If ever a fine pioneer woman existed I know it would be you. In fact, I see you quite self-sufficient up there on that mountain with mason jars of beans, tomatoes and kernel corn all put up for the winter. You’d probably just shoot a moose, and off you’d go.
Paige: Got ya! Comments are at the top now (read on ProBlogger how comments at the top bring in more per post. And you know me – trying to keep up with the bloggin’ tricks and treats. Sounds liek you’ve got quite a story to tell– happy you made it through. Hope it doesn’t storm on our Enchanted Rock trip — but if it does we can meet at that Beer Garden restaurant in Fredericksburg.
Happy Lovely Heather: She is actually prettier now than I have ever been or ever in my fantasies hoped of being. Thank God she has a lot of her dad in her too. Now where were we? Ah, yes the storm. It’s just amazing about those spidie dogs, the kids go crazy for them, the novelty of the shape, I think. Hey, any time kids are getting protein into them is a joyous moment for me. I loved your whole last sentence where you weave humor into a deeply meaningful thought.
Jannie! You were away from the blog for over 14 HOURS!! Freaking amazing!!!
Chris E: Ah, blackened stuff, nothing like it. All that charcoal in our systems toughening up our cancer killing cells. Now, don’t get me wrong as I’m not poking fun at cajun cooking, because I just about LIVE for bread pudding with bourbon sauce, but the only black I wanna see in my cooking is a little cracked pepper on my caesar salad. (And of course that’s just me.)
Shay: I’m a 45-year-old Canadia born-and-bred personnage and I had never heard of spidie dogs until this past summer, and they are perhaps turning out to be one of Canada’s best-known delicacies. Thank you for my Objets d’Art. I’ll be heading over there first thing after my muffin at 11:00.
Bulldog: And there is the guy again who reminds me of my old blogging pal, one of my first buds here really, one in my Hall Of Fame. Be careful with gas storage and retrieval if you’re keeping it around in mass quantities. (You probably already know that but I’m just reminding you out of concern for your utmost health and welfare.) I actually operated my dad’s generator this summer! For the pump p to water his horses in the field. Wild stuff.
Yaya: It was actually the first time we’ve ever done that! And since I don’t have actual wienie roasting utensils and a fork was too short, (a washed and sanitized) long flat-head screw driver was just the ticket for our marvelous meal.
Karen: ha, ha on not leaving teen boyfriend-girlfriend alone in the dark. Oh boy, see what I have to look forward to in about 7 or 8 years too. I hope it was mostly her boyfriend who caused the conversation blocker? As I bet moms and daughters can yak and yak about everything and nothing. Wait, Jannie! We are talking about a 15 year old girl. Did I talk to Mom much at that age? Hmmn. Please Kelly, don’t be like me when you get to 15.
Momisodes: Yes, Motherly Meat Power! Arrrg, ready to battle giants and fire ants alike. What I really needed was a reading light (I lost my little book-light,) so those candles were easier than holding a cumbersome flashlight over my book.
But my-my look at the time! 6:46 a.m. and I must be a getting all beautiful for the day. And make my kid’s school lunch. See the rest of you funster fans soon!
xo
On 10 September 2009 at 8:04 am Glenn Buttkus said,
blue bunny: meez sad gin.
kelly: why would that be oh bunny of mine.
blue bunny: red storie in reeder’s diegest bout sum peeples eAts bunnies–say it tastes lick chiickin.
kelly: you will never be in danger here in Funsterland.
blue bunny: promiss meez dat 2.
kelly: sometimes I think I should become a veggieterryian, but it would be hard to give up spidey dogs and burgers and pizza.
blue bunny: did yous sea yer Mom’s bad word on tops of blogg?
kelly: My Mom just says whatever pops in her head. I don’t know what to do with her.
blue bunny: telll on her to Jim, and he will spanks her
on her bottom.
kelly: silly rabbit, I can’t talk to you about that.
TO BE CONTINUED
On 10 September 2009 at 11:26 am Lynn said,
A badly needed laugh just now when I read Blue Bunny’s disclaimer and then scrolled up to see your “bad werd.” I knew just the place to come for some cheer-up time.
xoxoxo
On 10 September 2009 at 2:05 pm Liara Covert said,
Thunderstorms are some of Mother Nature’s most fascinating movies. To turn out the lights, even when you have access to power,and savor the nigth sky in all its glory, is a hypnotic experience. I have felt welcomed upon visits to foreign places when a thunderstorm has served as the evenin entertainment. SIt in a chair and stare out into more natural miracles.
On 10 September 2009 at 2:17 pm Chris said,
That looks like fun! I’ve never heard of spider dogs, but we’ll be sure to give them a try. I wonder if they curl in the microwave…
Our power went out the very first night we brought Parke home from the hospital after being diagnosed with diabetes. He was five at the time. He was sick and vomited all night. Chris and I took turns holding a bucket and flashlight. No fun THAT night! We made it though.
On 10 September 2009 at 2:32 pm Jannie said,
my jannie haz a headaches, she be fines wit mor beere.
On 10 September 2009 at 2:42 pm Sara said,
Jannie — I love the pictures and those are my favorite hotdogs, as well!
Where I live in North Florida, power outages are common. The worst was when Hurricane Kate hit us and we were out of power for over two weeks. Believe it or not, it was during Thanksgiving.
We had to really practice giving thanks that year. The kids weren’t too cool on eating beans and franks over our camping stove on Thanksgiving:~)
p.s. Izzy says hi to blue bunny:~)
On 10 September 2009 at 6:43 pm joaquin said,
heeb nats are the best! never spidied one before though – nor cooked one over a candle. but over campfires / bonfires at the beach – can’t beat ‘em.
the last time the power went out here i was at work. and i will tell you that the warmth and magic of a power outage at home is inversely proportional to the warmth and magic of a power outage at work. if you ever have to navigate your way out of a blackened public restroom with the glow of your cellphone to find you are totally at the mercy of auto-save, you’ll know what i mean.
On 10 September 2009 at 8:17 pm John Hoff - WP Blog Host said,
I love thunderstorms but really hate it when the power goes out here in Vegas. In August/Sept. temperatures are over 100 degrees and no air . . . forget it!
Sounds like you had a good night. Oh yeah and books, yeah I heard of those, too. Not sure what you do with them though since there’s no keyboard or remote control.
On 10 September 2009 at 11:26 pm Holly Jahangiri said,
I read all of Edgar Allan Poe’s short stories by candlelight during a bad snowstorm, when I was a kid. It was wonderful, despite the nasty cold and sore throat I had.
You have been awarded the “Kreativ Blogger Award.” Click to see!
On 11 September 2009 at 1:07 am Jannie said,
It iz raining.
It is after midnight.
Miss Zeenat, you’re up! Hello. You are the third commenter here to mention the power in India going our frequently. What are the outages usually due to? I Chevy Chase over there stringing Christmas lights? (If you’ve seen his Christmas Vacation movie with Beverly D-Angelo, you’ll know what I mean but that comment.) Ghost stories. Oooo, I used to get so scared by them as a kid, but craved more and more, as kids do.
Mia: Now I’ve got it in my head again too. Now to the bridge! In the chill of the night when the power is out. Take a hotdog or 4 and stuff them in your mouth. ?? Um, if I still had a day job I wouldn’t give it up. I think over those 5 candles we maybe coked about 2 minutes each dog, just kind of super-heated them.
Rhett: Do you know that Jannie Funster, the blog is now the 163,859 th most popular site in India?! And I firmly believe it’s because of you and your visits here. Thank you! Yes, Kelly is very photogenic. Gets that from her dad.
Carla: Ooo, you were at a hot springs! Where? Banff? Is Banff ad hot springs. Great skiing there I hear. We have a very famous springs here — Barton Springs, not hot tho. Well, the air is hot a lot, but the springs are at a 24-7-365 68 degrees farenheit — or to you, um, 19 degrees. (Hey, I actually think I’m close on that.)
Rhett: Thank you. Come and visit here when she’s 32.
Snag: And a wide-ass too? No, derrieres come in all glorious breadths, depths and configurations. (Mine’s a figure 8.) Joyous creations all. Snag, please don’t tell anyone that I eat food cold from cans ALL the time. Okay? Chunky soup is good. And beans on a stick, one at a time over candles are good to roast. Ah, yes, lying on the bed strumming guitar in the dark, I know it all too well. It may have made me the fine, fine musician
I am today. Dude, your rypos are after my own heart. Keep ‘em comin!
Deere Glenn: Are you bak heere reeking havik? can you talke sum sens into my jannie who is out of kontroll? She saying ass agin and agin and my widdle eeres iz ringing. and i sad wit all my beers gone.
Lynn: I am glad you can laugh at blue bunny and my new big-ass eye word. Just seemed like a natural progression of events here at the land of the wayward funsterers. I so hope you will like Kelly’s video clip here, posting soon. I am thinking of sleeping tonight. Good idea? I forgot to order Kelly’ cake for her party Saturday, but it should be Zero problem. She wants a cookie cake. I did get a lot of junk for the little goodie bags today and called 2 more invitees. And washed my hair. And Monday will be another fun post too. And Thursday a more serious one, followed by another light one next Sunday, possibly Monday, if the post seems to be generating discussion.
Liara: I am always amazed at getting in touch again with the stars up at Mom & Dad’s on the Bay with no big city around. I can see millions and millions of them there. It is exhilarating, intoxicating and very humbling to be up there under God’s great sparkly blanket.
Chris: I have not tried them in the mike. I bet they do curl up. Do do curl up well in the frying pan as my scintillating lyrics point out. I’d love to know if your boys try them and if they like them. Poor Sweet boy, he’s been through so much. You’ve been through so much. Hugs.
Jannie! Congrats on heading that migraine off at the pass, whoo friggin’ hoo.
Sara: Holy cow . 2 weeks without power. At least it wasn’t in summer, eh? Florida with no A/C, even worse than Texas, I think because of your humidity. I love eFlorida but could never live there, or any East Coast area south of North Carolina. What a wimp I am! Maybe your Gulf coast. Sanibel. Yeah, I could brave Sanibel Island. Who wouldn’t, right?
Oh an bb says hewwo to izzy!
Joaquin: Wow, you have a job. I never pictured you as a regular working person. I see you more as a poet in a garrett attic night and day, slaving over your art, emerging only to make a few dollars reciting your poems on the street corners so you can subsist on oranges, Heeb Nats and chocolate. Oh, and one baker who especially loves your work, (he gets to hear all your new poems first,) keeps you in day old wheat buns. And ooo, saving yourself by cellphone glow along, that’s real-life, man. Seriously deep to think about.
John: I hear ya on that 100 degree thing. Opressive. You been to Hoover Dam I guess. Well, duh, Jannie. I think he probably has, like many times. Must be something to see. I still think about the scene in Albert Brook’s “Lost In America” with Hoover Dam. I think the whole book thing is about piling them high for a nice little beer mug stand for when you’re on your laptop on the sofa.
Holly: Funny you mention Edgar Allen Poe as Joaquin’s gravatar 2 above yours in these comment is none-other-than… Edgar Allen Pie. Isn’t it the freaking hootiest photo of him in dreads and shades? I am sorry you were not feeling well all those years ago. Are you washing your hands OCD-edly now? I do and have kept colds and flu at bay for years. And thank you for thinking of me for that blog award. Wow, first Shay, now you. What a day.
On 14 September 2009 at 9:15 am Ching Ya said,
Let’s see, the last time I had a blackout.. yes, last week! It was a thunder storm, scary and the power went out suddenly. The only light was the lcd screen of my laptop. I supposed to grab a candle or torchlight but I thought the NB battery can last for another 30min, so I sat there and prayed for power to come back up while I’m on my writing.
And it did!
So no hotdog for me that night. ^^
On 18 September 2009 at 6:09 am Jannie said,
Ching Ya. I wonder if an iPhone will still work in a power outage? I feel in my heart I might be getting an iPhone this season. Do you have one?
On 20 September 2009 at 11:11 am Natasha said,
Almost worthwhile having a power outage, just so you can relive childhood memories, isn’t it?
Gorgeous photographs. Gorgeous kid.
On 1 November 2009 at 3:57 am Welcome! To The Harvest Potluck! – patriciaswisdom.com said,
[...] at Jannie Funster, celebrated the first storm and power outage with this great cooking feat of [...]