Taking the little things for granted...

[bmccasland]

RM - as a former Phoenix resident, I feel your pain. Wet towels and sheets help. Finding shade and lying still like a lizard is about all anyone wants to do. Got to admit over the years I think my camp stove has provided more meals in a non-camping situation. When I worked on a research project in the bottom of the Grand Canyon we often covered ourselves with wet sheets to feel comfortable enough to go to sleep.

I had neighbors that "rode out" Katrina - went 3 weeks without electricity. Fortunately when I came home, 3 weeks after the storm, the electricity had been restored to our neighborhood the day before. I like camping, but not in south Louisiana in August.

Copper theives - around here they attack homes under reconstruction, and steal urns from the cemetaries - the ones living people leave flowers in. Now you have to produce ID at the recycling yards. One of my colleagues lives in a double-barrel shotgun (duplex), and heard water running.... the theives had stolen the pipes from the other half of the house, which they were working to restore. Idiots get so brazen that they block both ends of a block, complete with orange cones, guys with flags and safety vests, while the rest of the "crew" is breaking into homes. At least we get to keep the National Guard down here until after hurricane season.

[RoadRaven]

We had a power cut two nights ago

18 year old had just started making dinner... using electricity... panic call to me, and we had pizza hut and chinese for dinner instead.

Power came on half way through our candle lit meal, and fortunately his rice pudding he had made was able to be cooked and that was delicious.

But you are right. At the moment we have no way to make food hot without power - not even a bbq!