Surprise candlelight dinner!

@TheHorse (238306)

Walnut Creek, California

January 7, 2019 11:45am CST

I went to my friend Mark's house last night to eat dinner with Mark and Sandi, his wife. As I approached his house, I noticed that all of the street lights were out. Looking at the nearby houses, I noticed that they were all dark as well. Fortunately, they had finished cooking dinner (pork roast) before the blackout occurred, so dinner was ready. Practical Midwesterners that they are (they're from Ohio), they had plenty of flashlights and candles around, so we got the place set up, and then had an enjoyable candlelight dinner! The lights came back on before Mark and I played some music, so we could watch each others' fingers as we tried some new songs on guitar. We don't know what caused the blackout, but the phone message they received said it only affected about 1000 customers. Would you be ready for a power outage in your area? I have a few candles and flashlights here. Most of the flashlights have been hidden by the gremlins that inhabit my house, but there's one on my desk, so I can search for the others.

15 people like this

16 responses

@Plethos (13718)

• United States

7 Jan 19

my phone has a flashlight, so no worries. i also like the dark.

2 people like this

@TheHorse (238306)

• Walnut Creek, California

7 Jan 19

Aren't those flashlights kind of limited in the area they cover?

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@Plethos (13718)

• United States

7 Jan 19

@TheHorse - i just need to see what is in arms reach. some though are surprisingly effective in the area they can cover.

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@TheHorse (238306)

• Walnut Creek, California

7 Jan 19

@Plethos Heh. My phone is a dumb phone. I don't think it has a flashlight.

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Valerie J. Routhieaux

@just4him (323168)

• Green Bay, Wisconsin

7 Jan 19

I have some candles, though I would need to buy lamp oil since I have lots of oil lamps.

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@TheHorse (238306)

• Walnut Creek, California

7 Jan 19

I have a lamp and lamp oil. But I usually use my lamp outside on warm Summer evenings. I'm not sure how it would fare inside.

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Valerie J. Routhieaux

@just4him (323168)

• Green Bay, Wisconsin

8 Jan 19

@TheHorse It fares quite well. I've used my lamps on occasion.

@LadyDuck (502466)

• Italy

8 Jan 19

I am ready, I have candles and matches in every room. I also have "security" light in the bedroom and in the living room. If the power goes off, it lights up.

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@LadyDuck (502466)

• Italy

8 Jan 19

@TheHorse We had one in 20 years, it did not last long.

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@TheHorse (238306)

• Walnut Creek, California

8 Jan 19

@LadyDuck Interesting. We mostly have them when it rains hard.

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@TheHorse (238306)

• Walnut Creek, California

8 Jan 19

Good planning. Do you ever have "blackouts" there?

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@wolfgirl569 (135744)

• Marion, Ohio

7 Jan 19

We are also ready with extra heat sources in case it is cold when it happens

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@wolfgirl569 (135744)

• Marion, Ohio

7 Jan 19

@TheHorse When the electric is on its propane furnace and a pellet burner. One room has a propane wall heater as there was no furnace vent in there. Fireplace and wall heater if the electric is not on. Plus a kerosene heater if it is needed.

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@TheHorse (238306)

• Walnut Creek, California

7 Jan 19

@wolfgirl569 Got it! I think my wall heater would continue to work if the electricity were off. But I'm not 100% sure.

@TheHorse (238306)

• Walnut Creek, California

7 Jan 19

What kinds of heat sources do you use?

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@Hannihar (130150)

• Israel

8 Jan 19

@TheHorse we have had times when all of a sudden the lights went out here. I had to feel my way for a flashlight

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@TheHorse (238306)

• Walnut Creek, California

8 Jan 19

Do you have more than one? I do, but five or six seem to be missing.

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@Hannihar (130150)

• Israel

8 Jan 19

@TheHorse I have a big one but no batteries in it and another one that works.

@jvicentevalera (13671)

• Santiago, Chile

8 Jan 19

This post reminds me that we ran out of candles at home, we need to get some, just in case! I think it was sort of different to have dinner under the candles lights. Every now and then a different dinner like this is good.

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@TheHorse (238306)

• Walnut Creek, California

8 Jan 19

It was actually really enjoyable.

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@TheHorse (238306)

• Walnut Creek, California

9 Jan 19

@jvicentevalera Snap. I never made it to the dollar store today to get more candles and flashlights.

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@jvicentevalera (13671)

• Santiago, Chile

9 Jan 19

@TheHorse I am sure it was :)

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@amadeo (111937)

• United States

7 Jan 19

we have a back up.Generator

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@TheHorse (238306)

• Walnut Creek, California

7 Jan 19

Ah, that's a good idea. Do you have blackouts often?

@JESSY3236 (22245)

• United States

8 Jan 19

I always have flashlights near me. I even carry a small one in my purse. I also have some candles.

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@TheHorse (238306)

• Walnut Creek, California

8 Jan 19

I'm going to make it to the dollar store today to buy more cheap flashlights. If I buy three, the gremlins might take only two.

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@JudyEv (382068)

• Rockingham, Australia

8 Jan 19

We lit the candles in the candlabras on the piano once during a blackout so we could see the music.

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@TheHorse (238306)

• Walnut Creek, California

8 Jan 19

That looks pretty! I didn't know they had pianos in Australia. Just kidding. Hey, my young friend (now 10) has the gift! We worked on Bach's Toccata and Fugue in d-minor last night. I don't have a piano here (mine is in Georgia), but I have a keyboard, and I gave another to my young friend so he can practice at home.

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@JudyEv (382068)

• Rockingham, Australia

9 Jan 19

@TheHorse That's great. I often think many people have gifts but never get the chance to develop them or even discover what they are. I think mine must be well hidden!

@Happy2BeMe (99353)

• Canada

8 Jan 19

I had so many flashlights we would be fine. Nice to have an expected candlelight dinner

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@TheHorse (238306)

• Walnut Creek, California

8 Jan 19

Expected? Or unexpected? It was a good time.

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@Happy2BeMe (99353)

• Canada

8 Jan 19

@TheHorse lol I guess my predicted text though expected was the better choice!

@dgobucks226 (37621)

•

8 Jan 19

Well, a nice home cooked dinner and atmosphere to boot! Without the restaurant prices. All you had to do was provide the entertainment, lol. I've got many flashlights at the ready in case of a blackout. Just a matter of remembering where I put them last...

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@TheHorse (238306)

• Walnut Creek, California

8 Jan 19

Exactly. I'm going to buy a couple more today.

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@dya80dya (36805)

•

7 Jan 19

I have a power bank. And my phone has a flashlight. I don't worry about this.

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@TheHorse (238306)

• Walnut Creek, California

7 Jan 19

How does the power bank work. Is it similar to a battery? Or fuel-driven generator?

@CarolDM (203396)

• Nashville, Tennessee

7 Jan 19

That was a negative turned into a huge positive evening. I keep candles and flashlights nearby just in case.

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@TheHorse (238306)

• Walnut Creek, California

7 Jan 19

A good idea. I think I will buy more candles and flashlights today, gremlins be damned.

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@debjani1 (7202)

•

8 Jan 19

A great and a wonderful dinner. Just one thing to say - missed it. Really its a fully fun time.

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@TheHorse (238306)

• Walnut Creek, California

8 Jan 19

I enjoy dining with friends.

@LovingMyBabies (85923)

• Valdosta, Georgia

15 Jan 19

We are not but I should keep those around for the just in case moments. I do have one on my phone and one battery operated night light but neither would cover a big area in the house.

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@noni1959 (13048)

• United States

7 Jan 19

I always have candles and flashlights around. We just had a huge storm that took out power so I was ready. We didn't lose but a few seconds but several others did for hours.

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@TheHorse (238306)

• Walnut Creek, California

7 Jan 19

I've had a few blackouts here at my house. I actually enjoy living by candlelight for an hour or two.

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