The Abundance of Electricity

When we prepared for our move from plush to mush, we planned to live mostly without electricity. Solar power was - and still is - part of our plan. Since that part requires more funds than currently in our tiny bank account, we rely on whatever electricity is available.

I have mixed feelings about just how easy it has been to enjoy the power of electricity on this remote Caribbean Island.

For the most part, a flick of the switch turns it on. And off. Much like in the States, but (WAY) more expensively. So all switch-flicking is done with intention. Laptops and the refrigerator, of course, free-range the electrical powers that be. Bedroom A/C is reserved for special occasions and lights are turned on only when necessary.

Outages occur often. It is first noticeable when the fans come to a hard stop. And then, the silence.

Within moments the tendency is to push away from the desk and meander out to a porch Adirondack with a glass of cold lemon water. Sinful to open the freezer door for a couple ice cubes, but delicious all the same. Ocean breeze keeps the palm trees fanning our hot bodies and the sudden, unplanned break in routine makes me smile a little.

Outages are almost never for long. Maybe an hour. A nice break in time if you weren't in the middle of something requiring electrical power.

Today our part of the Island has a "scheduled outage". 7:00 AM until 12:00 PM. No power for five hours so they can perform some kind of infrastructure magic that will provide an abundance of electricity.

Not much to do during those five hours. Pack a towel, a book, and a pair of sunglasses, and head for the Beach. The perfect morning never requires electricity!