This evening the power was off in my section of the city for 3 hours. It was very hot and humid today and we had the air conditioning on earlier. We couldn't cook, watch tv., use the computer and since it gets dark early now ,see without a flashlight. We became irritable very quickly, hungry and bored. My grandaughter was in tears and this wasn't a long wait to have the power restored. I explained to her that when I was a young child, we had no tv or computers. We spent more time as a family, played board games, pick up sticks, dominoes, jacks and spent a great deal of time out doors. Everyone has become segregated into different rooms of the house doing their own thing. We have become complacent about the luxury of having everyday conveniences at the expense of what really matters most.
2007-09-25 16:23:43 · 12 answers · asked by Donna 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Senior Citizens
I take nothing for grant at all. I use to live in a huge duplex that had 3 big bedrooms. The living room was 50' X 80', the master bedroom was just 10 feet less (40' X 70') than the living room. I lived in that duplex with my boyfriend and step son and my daughter for 5 years. Caught him cheating on me, he had 11 other women out there besides me. He became my X very fast. I now live in a 8' X 30' travel trailer, and have for the past 2 1/2 years. I love living this way now, I am very happy here. I am very lucky to have this place. I know a lot of people that could not or would not live this way. I have been doing my own plumbing here and everything. So I am very proud of what I have here. If I take anything for grant at all it would have to be the fact that I still have my parents right next door to me. But I am there every day for them and do what I can, knowing that one day they will not be here. We call our little place here Green Acres, you see we never know when something is going to work right or not. More often than not it don't work. So when everything works right, we are very happy. Example of working right, moms washing machine went out about 2 years ago. I had mine in a shed, we pulled it out side and hooked it up. So now we wash our clothes in cold water outside year round and hang our clothes on the line outside. The washing machine is about 200 to 300 feet from the house. So if it is not freezing or raining, we can wash our clothes.
2007-09-25 23:18:56 · answer #1 · answered by SapphireB 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
No.......sometimes I think it's too convenient. I am amazed of the strength of those who never had it so lucky. Now that I'm older I'm glad there are more so I don't have to ask for help as much. Hands free can opener....power washer....leaf blower.
I would miss air conditioning and electric the most. Could care less about the TV but would hate loosing the washer and dryer. I guess we spent so much time with electric and such off with hurricanes that my kids aren't as panicked as some. I freak when the ac is off. Have bad allergies and breathing problems. That stifling heat and humidity......may as well smother me.
You are right though...many are too pampered. I still had a manual typewriter and always have a ton of books. My daughter was in college....on a crutial weekend for papers....the electricity went out. Didn't phase her.....books over there...typewriter there....grill out back....oil lamp and set to go. Her friends threw their hands in the air coz the computers were down. Probably blew the teacher away to find some who even remembered what a pencil and paper were. Most didn't even try though......that was sad.
2007-09-26 09:46:35 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I know that I do take them for granted! A few years ago we had a huge snow storm and were without power for 4 days. Luckily, we have a fireplace in the basement and a gas stove. We pulled out the blankets and piled the wood in the fireplace at night. During the day we were able to cook on the stove and even used the burners for some warmth. I played solitaire and was bored out of my mind. It was a good lesson though. It really made me think about what I need to have on hand in case of a similar situation and how much we do take for granted!
2007-09-25 16:55:27 · answer #3 · answered by noonecanne 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I try not to.
I moved to my home 3 years ago and although in a large suburb, we apparently are on the old electric network and our power goes out all the time. Between Aug 15 and Sept 15 we were without power nearly 48 hours with one stretch of 26 straight.
It stinks. So I have learned to be a little more tolerant, bought a couple battery operated lamps and a cheap generator. And my daughter (who is 2) was really mad at the "eletricity work" for taking away her lights...lol
2007-09-25 16:32:38 · answer #4 · answered by Gem 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, we don't appreciate many of the things we have until we're without them, but they too come with a price. Families used to do things together, and now often we're either in our own little world or live far apart. The last time the power went off I was agitated at first, then my husband and I went out onto the deck. We sat in the dark, looking up at the starry sky, with our kitties by our sides. We talked and listened to the sounds of nature. It was so nice and for just a moment I remember what I'm missing by having so much.
2007-09-25 17:20:19 · answer #5 · answered by luvspbr2 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I don't even think about those daily conviences that I take for granted. After we lost power during a storm, I don't know how many times I turned on the light switch expecting their to be light. Or turned on the ceiling fan expecting a breeze. I remember using an old washing machine that you had to hand turn in order to operate - boy, I had some muscles back then! Now I just turn a knob and walk away.
2007-09-25 21:08:05 · answer #6 · answered by Gladys 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I lived in hurricane zones for 39 years of my life. The longest stretch without electricity was after Hurricane Andrew in 1992. No power for us for 5 1/2 weeks. We had no generators, no fridge, my husband couldn't work because they used computers. We had a grill, shopped for food daily and a little bit of food. It was ungodly It and sticky and not even a fan, the water was contaminated so even the few drops you get in your mouth from showering made us very ill
We had no income because jobs were not open
2007-09-25 21:32:38 · answer #7 · answered by slk29406 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Check out the book I linked below! We should spend more time appreciating the simple things in life!
2007-09-25 16:35:06 · answer #8 · answered by Mistress Lucy 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
actually, i do appreciate everyday convenience, but do not take it for granted,
one of my new friends whom i met on sugarmommymeet.com once mentioned nowadays everything is becoming more and more convenient, but we still cherish the happiness or tears we share together
2007-09-26 01:08:26 · answer #9 · answered by Linda l 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We all do until we lose them...try going to the Islands for a few months....you will find the thing you miss most is American Toilet paper...sorry to be so crass, but it's true!
2007-09-25 18:09:23 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋