Everyday Canvas

About Shortages and Innocence

For "Blog City ~ Every Blogger's Paradise" 

Prompt: On this day in history, North America had what is thought to have been the worst power outage. The weather channel is projecting record heat days above normal for the vast part of North America. Do you think we're better able to handle the demand for power? Your thoughts? How do you handle power outages in general? Some of us have experience from hurricanes, tornadoes, or winter storms that might have suggestions for those unfamiliar.

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It must have been sometime during the 70s or the early 80s. We had an ice-storm on Long Island in midwinter. All our neighbors went to the shelters. We stayed home. We had lots of wood to burn on the fireplace and enough provisions in the house. We spent several days together by the fireplace. I took my knitting out and I was fine. The others were bored, especially my hubby. So, I started a campfire storytelling among the four of us. The kids were entertained greatly, although the younger one fell asleep. The dog was the happiest of us all. He got to sleep and hang out with his whole pack.

During the days, I cooked in the fireplace. Since the kitchen was cold and the freezer in the basement wasn’t affected, we had lots of food. I think the storm and the lack of electricity lasted a few days. I can’t recall how many, I am guessing three to six, but I am not too sure.

Since we’ve moved to Florida during 1993, we rarely experienced any long-lasting electricity shortage. Sometimes during the storms, the lights flicker but come back again. It's no big deal except for resetting the time on things that don't have backup batteries.

The only real electrical shortage on my street happened during the 2004 hurricanes, Francis and Jeanne. Even then, we got the electricity two days after. Other people in the same city as ours were without it for days and weeks. I guess we just got lucky. We also got lucky with our landline. That phone was never cut off. Thanks, AT&T.

Then last year, when Irma hit most of the state, she kind of passed us by. Even during the storm, I had both the electricity and the internet. Thanks to Florida Power and Light and Comcast.

Still, every year, when the hurricane season comes, I put friends here on WdC on alert, so that they can take over some of the stuff I have to do. Luckily, this year, so far so good, and knock on wood!

For: "Space Blog" 

Prompt: From Roari ∞ ’s "Innocence" 
“It's better they not know the treasures they hold.”

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I am not sure if I am too keen on innocence if the word means a lack of awareness.

As to childhood innocence, it is a romantic notion, initiated during the XVIII th. century by Jean Jacques Rousseau, shaping our view of childhood, which deems children pure and sin-free as they haven’t yet learned about life, badness, and guilt.

What I can accept is that we need to protect children from the too harsh realities of crime, depraved sex, etc., only because their life experiences are limited and they would have difficulties understanding adult matters that may give them unnecessary fears and worries.

What I don’t understand or agree with is the quote’s saying, “it’s better they not know the treasures they hold.” If what they hold is a treasure, they’d better know about it so they can handle it, work with it, and use it according to their best interest and to the best interest of the public. Keeping them unaware of their best assets is like hoarding another person’s valuables without their assent or knowledge.

Just yesterday, on the news was a six-year old’s work and willingness to help the homeless. That willingness is a treasure, and I applaud the parents for encouraging it. I am glad there exist such parents that do not put value on some fake innocence to the detriment of the child and the society in which she or he lives.