Let There Be Light

During our hurricane, the power went out for, oh, a couple of days, and then intermittently after that.

Now, as long as you don't open your refrigerator, you will be fine during the day when your power is out. At night is when things get annoying. I can make it through a place I know by feel easily enough, but I can't feel a mass-market paperback. This is where other light sources come in.

The obvious one is the flashlight. But flashlights shine a beam in one direction. You can't cook by one or read by one or play charades by one. Candles are a little better, but they don't cast much light.

So you might need a lamp.

The kind that runs on kerosene. My mother has had kerosene lamps for as long as I can remember, and they provide enough light to do whatever you need to. A few lamps will do better than one, of course, but one will do better than a couple of candles. They don't smoke up the house, and so far not one has set any of my stuff on fire.

Also, when you light one late at night, you can imagine that you are a historical figure writing an important document or plotting revolution. Who would you choose to be?

By the above model through Vermont Lanterns for $17.97, but feel free to be picky!

Image via the Vermont Store.

Yours, &c.,

Maureen