Publisher’s Note

Surviving the story (and then some)

There is so much technology today that it makes you wonder what we did without it just a few years ago. How did we get through the day and night?

I can remember when Apple came out with its first computer in the late ’70’s or when the fax machine came into existence. Remember that obnoxious sound it made when connecting? Or how about the first cell phone. How big and bulky was that? Or the VHS and compact disc. The list is endless. Life was a heck of a lot simpler back then. I have fond memories of what I did with my time—besides looking at my smartphone or computer all day long to stay connected. Well, when the electricity, internet and cell service goes out, our daily technology is messed up. It can really shock you about the value of time. Recently, after my stepdad, who was 90 and battling cancer, passed in early May 2022, I went up to Ohio to spend several weeks with my mother. I helped clean out the house of his clothes, golf clubs, tools, pictures, etc. You never realize how much you can gather being together for 36 years. Well, the second week I was there, we had a really bad thunderstorm hit one late Monday afternoon just before 6 p.m. It knocked out all the electricity, internet and cell service from Cleveland all the way to northern Kentucky. More than 600,000 people were without power, access to the web and phone. Only pockets of areas had these services, but for many, it was going to be hot and miserable the next few days. We were lucky, as our services were restored in three days. But many were still without power going all the way into the weekend. My mother’s neighbor had a generator, so during the day, she went over there to stay cool. I went to a local Starbucks, which had power and internet access. That ended up being my temporary office. It was jammed packed. If you didn’t get there at the crack of dawn, you were in trouble. The early bird gets the worm was never so true. At night, when the sun went down, the house was dark. It wasn’t that hot inside because the house was very well insulated and the shades were drawn all day. We lived by candlelight. Our entertainment was a battery-operated AM radio. We sat back in the living room and talked about old times, listened to the radio into the early morning hours and then went to bed. I am amazed that I did not freak out. No phone. No internet. No TV. Just peace and quiet of which I had not experienced in a very, very long time. It was awesome. I am sure some people could not handle how simple it was, as who knows what to do with themselves in the dark. If you want to mess with the American psyche, knock out the power, internet and cell service, along with the gas stations, banks, etc. There is a calm chaos. Thanks to Duke Energy working overtime in Springboro, Ohio to get power restored along with Charter/Spectrum and all the cell carriers that restored service. While technology has changed the way we live, when it all goes down, it is up to us to carry on with what we have to survive and “get-r-done.” That can-do spirit is still alive. It is a shame that it takes a natural disaster to see it and know that there are people doing tasks every day to make your life easier. The roller coaster over the last few years has proven this is real time. Being prepared is important so make sure you have a plan with a generator, water, batteries and canned food. As they say, better safe than sorry. As we enter the second half of 2022 and the dog days of summer, here’s to staying cool and safe. And remember to stay positive, as life can throw you curveballs when you least expect it. Being calm will help you make it through when you think things are bleak. Keeping the faith is a plus. CCR

If you want to mess with the American psyche, knock out the power, internet and cell service, along with the gas stations, banks, etc. There is a calm chaos.