The prompt question is: A thunderstorm arrives, there is a power outage. How do you occupy your time?
Depending on the time of night, I’ll either go back to sleep or sit on the front step and count the time between lightening flashes and thunderclaps.
I remember, as a child being terrified of lightening storms.
On the prairies this meant just about every summer evening, at some point, I would be huddled under my covers crying. And then my grandfather came for a visit. I have since learned he was a cantankerous, no-nonsense kind of a man but, apparently, with his grandchildren, that all changed. I remember only a kind, patient man.
Anyway, he found me hiding somewhere and asked what I was afraid of, it was only a storm. With the promise of keeping me safe as houses, he took me to sit on the front steps and asked how high I could count…past 10? past 20? Good girl. Now, next time there’s a lightening flash…oh…now start counting…1.2.3.4.5.6 7.8.9….don’t be afraid, the lightening is very far away, over 9 miles. Now lets see if it’s coming closer or going further away…
In no time, it seemed, the rain started – always a sign the storm was near it’s end – and I was disappointed this time sitting cuddled on Gogo’s lap was almost over. We waited a little longer just in case there was one last flash but no, it was done, it was dark and it was time for me to go to bed.
I love lightening storms and there is never a problem occupying time when one is in the area – I don’t wait for the power to go out, I turn them out and sit on the steps to watch the show roll in. I’ve counted a million miles, I bet, since Gogo came to visit but whenever the storms begin, he is right beside me.