Power and Water

Just a quick entry to let you know about one aspect of life on an island. Usually we have all the comforts of home - clearly since you're reading this we have access to the internet. Our children bought us a hi-speed internet telephone with a Boston phone number so we can stay connected and talk from time to time. But all this assumes we have electricity (hehehe).

This past week we've lost power four different times, for no apparent reason, but we get by. The real trick is to unplug our router so when the power comes back on (with the power surge that preceeds it) we don't lose the router. It is a rather tempermental and we've had the phone company here 4 times to try to re-establish interconnect service after power outages.

What really creates a problem, though, is when the water stops. Yes, it just plain stops. There seems to be a problem maintaining water pressure and while we can still cook on our gas stove when there is no power, going without water for four days creates other problems. I have come to learn that bathing in the sink is an art form. Flushing toilets with no water can also be an issue. We have learned to keep a 5 gallon jug of water full and tucked away under the bathroom sink for these times and its come in very handy.

So, while we do have internet access, telephones, fax, high speed laser printers, and a copy machine. We also have those times where non of them will turn on, and we (or our clothes) may or may not be too clean. Island life has its advantages - and its challenges.

Keep us in your prayers
Frank and Ginni