A Nightmare

A tremendous storm took out the power on our block yesterday. It wasn't so bad. We ran errands, helped Amy fix her garage door (John did), enjoyed sitting outside chatting with neighbors and were in bed at 9:30. The problems started at 2 am. I woke up, as I often do in the middle of the night, and after tossing and turning for my usual 15 minutes, reached for the light switch so I could read. Then it hit me, no electricity! No way to read. This has never happened to me. I have always kept a battery powered book light right next to my bed with spare batteries. But last winter I took it with me to Margaret and Erick's when I stayed to help with the twins. Then John installed a night light by my side of the bed in the trailer. It was perfect for nighttime reading without disturbing him. So I left my little book light at the Orr's.

This is a major problem. I have read hidden in closets (to not wake my sisters), in bathrooms (to not wake a roommate) but never have I not been able to read for a while to go back to sleep. I began to panic but then decided to go downstairs and get the flashlight. The flashlight was not in it's usual place but is in the trailer, which is at the dealers getting worked on. In my panic state I even thought about crossing the street to where there is electricity and sitting under a porch light at the neighbors. However this is not a safe option in our downtown neighborhood. Nor would that accomplish the goal of helping me get back to sleep.

I finally gave up and went back to bed. Only another book addict will understand how frightening it was, lying there, knowing I can't reach for one of the books I'm currently reading. There are five of them - The Floor of the Sky by Pamela Carter Joern, On Top of the World by Luree Miller, Death with Interruptions by Jose Saramago, My Sister, My Love by Joyce Carol Oates and Black Elk Speaks by John G. Neihardt. The book I pick up depends on both my mood and where I am in the house.

I tried various options to get back to sleep and finally hit on one that worked. It was suggested by a friend of mine several years ago. Go through the alphabet and name each person whom you know whose mame begins with that letter. It went something like this: A - Amy, Alice, Adrienne, Ann. Then I'd get down to G and remember Al so would start over with the A's. It worked as the last letter I remember doing is P - Paige.

Our power is back but we are purchasing a book light today. I will never let this happen again!