“Now what do we do?” That question has been asked a lot lately, as much of Hunterdon endures another extended power outage.
Some rediscovered the joy of board games: chess, backgammon, Monopoly, Trivial Pursuit, Clue, Connect Four, Candyland. Poker’s popularity received a notable spike.
The warm weather that followed the snow offered the opportunity for yard work, much of it caused by the storm. It was a good time for small projects that don’t require abundant light, such as separating the wood screws from the sheet metal screws in the workshop or cleaning out a closet.
Battery-operated radios were dusted off. The quality of some programming served as a reminder of why the radios ended up in storage in the first place. That’s unfortunate, because — at its best — radio is a very intimate medium. Some discovered that by listening to Wayne Cabot on WCBS 880, giving weather updates from his Glen Gardner home.
Many took to reading — even those who aren’t avid readers. Others took to long walks, even people normally adverse to heart-healthy exercise. People pulled out sketch pads. They listened to music without the distraction of a computer game.
And there were conversations. What was life like before cable TV? Why aren’t those power lines buried? Why does it take a power outage to remind us that simple joys are everywhere?
Some questions have no easy answers.