A day in the dark

Nov 29th 2018 was an intense storm day on Prince Edward Island. Much of the island lost powder. Winds were gusting up to 100km per hour. 40 crews were out working in horrible conditions to restore electricity to islanders. Kudos to the people who do that job working around the clock in those conditions. I can't imagine. Mine was out maybe for 8 hours. Waking up this morning some people are still in the dark. I honestly wasn't prepared, I hadn't contemplated that I might lose power or what I might need if it were to go out for an extended period of time. When it did go out I figured ok well this could last 1 hour or 50 I don't know. Luckily I did have some candles and lighters and plenty of knitted warm things and Neva to keep me company. 

​Anyway the day quickly turned into this unexpected gift. We couldn't open at the pub so it was an extra day off. I turned my phone off to save the battery just in case. I can't remember the last time I was unplugged from the world. I didn't have music playing, the wind was natures playlist. I had a toke, and let my mind wander. I cleaned things and did a few tasks that I had been neglecting. I did yoga and scattered candles all over my apartment to ready for darkness. I ended up making a simple cheese and cracker plate for dinner. I threw together some quick pickled cucumber and onion, sat at my dining table with a pad of paper and a pen and my Italian language book and started writing. I got out my DSLR with 50mm lens and had fun taking pictures by candle light.  For me this day was an important reminder to slow down. To do things differently with intention once in awhile. Maybe turn off the lights and unplug from social media more often. Play with lighting in photography more. But man did I ever imagine what it would have been like to live in a time without technology. When the only music you had would be to sing or play something yourself. What it would have been like to live without the constant distraction of our phones, music, computer, whatever it may be.  While I am grateful for the day I had in the dark and how it allowed my mind to wander and play, I'm definitely grateful this morning to be sitting before work with a hot cup of coffee and a warm home and yes being connected to the world through social media. I guess it is just another life lesson about balance. Too much of anything often isn't good. 

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